[caption id="attachment_5398" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Is that you, Nessie?"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P42900681.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5398" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P42900681-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

You may recall that not too long ago I had dreamed of traveling to Santa Barbara in March for a whale watching tour.

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I then cancelled my plans due to upcoming trips to Portland and Italy.  Until my money tree brings in the bigger bucks, I need to show some semblance of restraint.

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And then...wouldn't you know it?  Jimmykins needed a trophy date for Santa Barbara.  Twist of fate and twist my arm!

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On this ultra-indulgent President's Club trip, we were asked to pick daily activities to embark on.  I begged Jimmykins to reserve us a spot on the Whale Watching Tour.

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You know what often happens on Whale Watching Tours, right?  When it's this late in the whale watching season, you may not see any whales.  And there will always be people blowing chunks.

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I boarded the catamaran feeling quite cocky confident.  I've been on boats since I was in the womb.  I don't get seasick.

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I even assured the nervous Nelly behind me that it was windy, but look -- no swells!  Only white caps!  You didn't take your dramamine?  No problem.

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Just as I anticipated, we surfed through those white caps without issue.   A bumpy ride hurts your bum bum not your tummy (or, if we want to be technical, your inner ear).

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5 minutes in the captain spotted a gray whale and calf!  Hurrah!  No, that wasn't the Loch Ness Monster in the photo below.  Look closer!

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