Buccaneer Days: October 2000, Two Harbors, Catalina
One of Ed's favorite annual adventures was Buccaneer Days at Two Harbors, the isthmus of Catalina Island. Buc Days is basically a chance for ordinarily respectable people to dress up like pirates and go nuts for a few days. If you want to be a pirate like Captain Ed, it's an event not to be missed.

The main activities are sailing to the island, mooring or anchoring, drinking, dancing, barbeques. Maybe some volleyball on the island's rock pit, er "sand" court. Pirate-types shoot off incredibly loud real cannons that hopefully don't have cannon balls, and everyone flies jolly roger flags (the dreaded skull and crossbones). Some boats are side-tied to create big floating parties.There are even a few actual organized activities put on by the island, such as a costume contest, pirate boat parade and some sort of pirate jail game.

The costumes worn at Buc Days range from unrecognizable rags to elaborately authentic outfits worn by the fanciest swashbucklers west of the Carribean. Several of the hard-core authentic types wield actual pirate-style knives, swords and guns. If you challenge one of these guys with a plastic sword, you're likely to have it sliced in half.

Ed's outfit was a snazzy Captain Morgan style ensemble, while most of his friends dressed in headscarfs, vests, striped shirts and earrings typical of the motliest pirate crews. The ladies wore wenches outfits, many with scandalously low plunging necklines. (Pirates don't generally mind a bit of scandal.)

Ed and Pete were the first to arrive that year, sailing over on Wednesday to secure a mooring close to shore. Ed rented a beautiful, fully -appointed Benneteau 38, and they sailed in style through some strange but fortunate weather. As they left San Pedro harbor, a huge dark storm front loomed offshore, and it looked like rough sailing ahead. Miraculously, though, the storm stayed over Catalina, and began moving north as they approached the island. The wind was moderate and steady, and somehow the waves were unusually small. In late afternoon, the sun broke out over the south end of the island and created a dazzling split effect, with glowing silver-lined clouds to port and menacingly dark clouds to starboard. The sun gradually won the day, and as it set spectacularly, Ed and Pete were escorted into the isthmus by dozens of high-jumping dolphins.

The isthmus may not be much more than a bar and some palm trees, but there's something magical about it. It a kind of real life Gilligan's Island, and after you've been at sea it's a welcome paradise. At night the the boats create a floating city of lights that is truly a wondrous sight.

By Friday, Ed's friends made connections on the Benneteau and at the bar. They danced to the live band so enthusiastically that the band singer commented on the particularly festive bunch near the front. Ed and friends danced in friendly massive hugs and everyone yelled "Aaargh me buckos!" and sang "Yo ho, a pirates life for me!" It was a classic Buccaneer Days weekend, and a good time was had by all.