Hello Stan: Me, Louie and Victoria are interested in attending.

Regarding your recommendation on seasickness.  I don't know if I ever shared with you that in my younger years one of my life's passions was sailing.  As a young child growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin I spend hours watching the sailboats from the beach and thinking how cool it would be to grow up and actually sail a boat myself.  When I moved to California from Michigan in 1981 I made up my mind I would learn to sail and the second weekend I was in California I signed up for sailing lessons at Dana Point Harbor.  You can imagine my excitement to have one of my life's dreams come true!  I vividly remember the experience of my first sail as we cleared the Dana Point breakwater; the thrill of hoisting sails and feeling for the first time the sails fill with the breeze, the boat accept the load on the sails with a gentle heel and, what seemed almost magical, the forward thrust of boat as we quartered from the wind!

Almost moments later I began to feel a strange queasiness in my gut that seemed only to worsen with the gentle rolling motion of the boat.  The sailing lesson only lasted about two hours that day.  Even though some of my lesson mates suffered the indignity of full "blown" seasickness "events"
I somehow managed to "swallow" my stomach's seemingly relentless desire to include me with the group of "rail groaners".  We returned to the marina that day and my mind was fresh full of new experience; my first time on the open ocean and the sailing part was every bit the exhilaration I had expected.  But what's up with this seasickness?  Busied with the task of stowing sails, gear and securing the boat I was comforted when I realized that 30 to 40 minutes after we returned to terra firma my new-found illness had subsided with no lasting effects.

"What a bummer," I thought.  Sailing was so cool yet there was no way I ever wanted to experience the seasickness again.  Fortunately our instructor that day provided me with a lesson that I would carry with me over the years.  His directive was simple, "One tab of Dramamine an hour before you sail prevents a day of puking over the rail".

Over the next 12 years sailing became one of my life's passions which culminated with the 1986 purchase of a 33 foot sloop that we berthed on San Francisco Bay when Torie and I lived in northern California.  We often would invite guests to join us in day sails as we loved to share the experience and beauty of sailing one of the US's most scenic venues.  Prior to leaving the dock we would offer Dramamine to all of our guests and would encourage first-timers to take a tab "even if they did not know if they were susceptible to seasickness".  The men were usually the worst with their manly protestations, "No, that stuff is for wusses!"  Over the years it was hilarious to watch the wusses thoroughly enjoy their days on the high seas while the "manly men" spent their time "chumming" over the rail while continually asking, "when are we going in?"

Many of our adults and scouts may have never experienced being "out to sea"
and I would encourage everyone to join us for the whale watching trip.
While we may not be fortunate enough to see a whale we are certain to encounter much of Neptune's abundance and wonderment!  To ensure everyone's experience will be one to remember I would strongly recommend that everyone take some form of motion sickness pill.  There are many over the counter products available.  I've attached this missive from the Top Adventure Tours web site:

   Over the counter medication (usually causes some drowsiness) - to be
   taken 1-2 hours before boarding. The most recommended are pills with the
   active ingredient meclizine (less-drowsy Dramamine, Bonine, Antivert),
   then pills with the active ingredient Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine
   regular). Marezine (cyclizine) and Stugeron (cinnarizine) seem to be
   less sleep inducing than all of the above. Other popular antihistamines
   (Benadryl - diphenhydramine based) also work for some people.

Over the years, I have used Dramamine, bonine and marezine and can attest that they all work.  My experience with these medications is that they will make you a bit drowsy however, not terribly so that you should avoid driving while taking.  Bonine has become my personal choice over the years as it seems as though it doesn't make me as drowsy.  If you have any questions I would recommend talking with the druggist.

One thing for sure, all the home remedies (i.e. a "special breakfast or meal" or, not eating or not drinking this or that) are all hogwash!  I would recommend that everyone have a decent breakfast at home the morning of the trip.  Bring a bag lunch to consume aboard the boat and water or
gatoraid drinks seem to taste great while out at sea.   There may be a bit
of chill in the mornings in March so the adults may find a thermos of coffee to be quite nice.  Having a decent breakfast and consuming noncarbonated beverages usually do bring on seasickness.  Some of the literature recommends avoiding acidy foods, carbonated drinks and fruit juices but I have found it all depends on the individual.  If you not sure, your might take the literature's advice.

Please remind everyone that they must take these medicines one to two hours before we leave the dock!  If you intend on taking the medicines only if you get sick it will be too late!  Once you get ill and begin your "watch duty at the rail" you may not be able to keep anything down.

This should be a great event.  Rest assured, I will be one of the "wusses"
spending my time at the rail gleefully taking photos of whales!

Regards,
Lou