Brent and Dixie (especially Dixie) take the honours for THE EVENT of this get-together. I will elaborate over what Roger said about the fishing 'excursions' at San Clemente island, Dixie will have to fill in more details when they get a chance. None of us had ever been to this Navy controlled island, all prior years had announced operations around the island making it off limits.
From prior research we could fish the NW corner on down Eastward on the North side of the island (sounds confusing, but quite simple once you see the 25 mile long or so island). So we (Dora Jean) arrived at the NW corner, we noticed Discovery went a little beyond this corner -- more on the West end of the island. That's about the time Brent said over the VHF, "Did you hear that on Chan 16?". No, I said, didn't break squelch for me. He said we're (Discovery) in an restricted area, must leave now. So, they came over by us and we proceeded to fish and dance with the kelp a bit TOO close -- tangles to deal with.
After catching a few small fish and several juvenile sheepheads that had to be put back, we decided to move further down the island. Found another nice spot, we anchored due to the current and wind pushing us around too much. Discovery anchored further down. Started catching GREAT fish, much larger, getting hits seconds after getting the lines down. Then the red lights and sirens up on the hill and over the radio saying we were in a restricted area, need to move 1 1/2 miles offshore. We acknowledged and finished pulling in the rods (with fish on -- we had enough by then for the fish fry!).
We weighed anchor and proceeded out of the area. Discovery tried to weigh their anchor but found it had 'captured' an old cable thru an eye ring, right in the center, the whole anchor thru it! The US Navy came over in their very red rafts (4 of them), meant business, stood off and watched Discovery as they 'messed' with their property, not to get too close in case it was undetinated explosives or something. Discovery finally got it unhooked with much strain and effort, then proceeded away from the area. The 4 rafts with 2-4 persons each on board then 'escorted' Discovery out past the zone, 1 1/2 miles. We had killed our engines and proceeded to clean fish as we watched them CLOSELY escorting Discovery. We were so mesmerized with the whole thing all of us forgot to snap a picture ... darn.
When we asked Dixie what happened, she said "She's be kicked out of many areas in her life, but never 'escorted' out, and...by the United States Navy!". It was a sight to behold, they (the Navy) had no idea who they were messing with!!! Jim (Wild Blue), we so wished you were around for this... :wink: