Stephanie Thinnes

***********************************************
Our sailing with Captain Dave was wonderful!! We are recommending it to our family & friends.We sailed on Tues. 7/27 at 11 am. saw so many dolphin and LOVED it!!Will do it again someday, Lord Willing!!
Keep up the great work.

Linda & Bob Loscalzo

**********************************************

No need for improvement that I can see. Love the brownies. Keep up the fantastic work!!!

**********************************************

Please forgive me for not writting sooner. Back in July, I brought my family to celebrate my 40th birthday. It was the first time on Capt. Dave's for my mom, mother-in-law, brother, sister-in-law, my husband and oldest son. We ALL had a great time, even though we did not see any blue whales.

My mom can't wait to come back. I'll send her your latest message about the return of the Blues.

As my mom & I spoke later she said, "I wonder how much a cat. costs." She really looked like she could live on one, she liked it soooo much.>

Thanks for giving so many people a great gift.

With gratitude,
Simone Laffin

P.S. We bought your DVD and loved it. I was blessed to hear "Everything That Has Breath" at the end. We attend Calvary Chapel Murrieta and know the song well. God Bless you & your family.

***********************************************

Thank you so very much for the sighting updates!

I volunteered with the public tanks at the Ocean Institute for two years and took many trips on the Explorer. I was able to see the blues twice. I have had to move out of state to take care of business but hope to return to Dana Point within a couple years. Correspondence like this is life blood.

I had never been on a Dolphin Safari adventure until a recent trip back. I signed up as soon as I saw the photographs in the community center at OI.

You are providing a great community service. Please be sure and keep me on the list!

Linda

***********************************************

Capt. Dave:

We want to thank you so much for such a wonderful trip. It so exceeded our expectations! We were visiting from Fair Oaks, Ca (Sacramento area) and booked a trip for my husband and I, my mother in law and our 9 yr old son. All of us had such a great time. Not only was the experience fun but also educational. The 'mega-pod" of dolphin we viewed were mesmerizing. Since our return home, when asked about our trip to So. Cal. we say by far the best thing we did was go on Capt. Dave's Dolphin Safari. We have friends headed south next week and they are considering booking a tour. We told then to say hi for us, and next time we're in OC, we'll be booking another boat ride!

Thanks for a great experience and fabulous family memories!

Peter, Bobbi and Ethan
Fair Oaks, Ca

*************************************************
Captain Dave,

During the week of July 18, I had the incredible and most memorable experience aboard your boat for the dolphin safari adventure. Your crew's diligence in finding the dolphins, their ability to create enthusiasm and educate the passengers is to be commended. I can't wait to visit you for the whale season! We really are enjoying your DVD in the interim.

Thank you again for one of the the most memorable experiences of my life.

Regards,

Karen Jamieson

************************************************

Gisele,
After I thanked you for the shipment of the cd's and the shirts I meant to share our dolphin safari trip with you.
Our family went out around July 9th on the 11:00 trip. My son is a whale fanatic with dolphins as his second favorite. We were enjoying the journey and heard Captain Dave tell us that his earlier trip that day had produced no dolphin sightings at all. He said he didn't expect to see any perhaps because the water was choppy. As we were all looking intently at the water on our way back to the harbor I began to pray. My request was simply, Lord, you made the dolphins, I know they are down there...please bring them to the surface. As I said before, my son is a whale fanatic with dolphins as his second favorite. I'd say ten minutes passed and up came a whale... a Menke whale. He was so excited and so was our family.
The quote all the way back to Phoenix was,"You pray for a dolphin, and God gives you a WHALE!"
For us, it was the highlight of our trip, that one glorious sighting...
that one simple answer to prayer.

Thanks again,
Dawna

*************************************************

Dear Dave and Gisele,

I just wanted to thank you for the magnificent trip last Sunday. My friend and I are both dolphin fanatics and had been on your boat in March; we decided on Friday that we needed to go see some dolphins and who better to find them than Captain Dave. So we left on Sunday morning from Phoenix, Arizona, took the 2 o'clock boat, then rove back the same day!!! And I would do this every weekend if I could. I have swam with the dolphins three times at Sea World but nothing compares to actually encountering them in their natural habitat. Words can not describe how beautiful it was to look all around you and see nothing but dolphins!!! We will definitely be back, we have planned to go at least three times a year!!!

Sincerely,
Freda Catalan
************************************************

HI
THIS WAS THE GREATEST IT COULD BE NO BETTER, YOUR TRIP IS THE BEST AROUND
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
BOB & DENISE WELLS

**************************************************

I am writing to thank you for the highlight of our 2 week visist to California. My husband, Felix, is home on leave from a 2 year unaccompanied tour in Korea, so we decided to vacation with the family in California. Of course we did all the usual tourist things: Disney, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, San Francisco, and Sequoia National Park. While we were in LA, I found an article about Dave's Dolphin safari adventure in Southern California Magazine. We decided to make a reservation and went on the 10 o'clock trip on Saturday, June 5th. It was amazing! Our sons, Jonathan (15years old on the 6th of June) and Christian (10 years old) both said it was the best part of the whole vacation. We saw a huge pod of dolphin, and Christian was hanging off of the boat! He even touched several dolphin! Thank you so much for such an awesome opportunity. We were all blessed to see God's creation up close and in their natural habitat.On the way back, Dave sold us a copy of his video and he signed it. We were all thrilled and the boys watched it on the DVD player in the car on the way home. I was planning to take it to school (I am a teacher) and share it with our science teachers. Sadly, on the very last night of our vacation, our van was broken into and all of our electronics, videos, games, and DVDs were stolen. It was a very sad morning for us to wake up to this theft. However, God is good, and the van was unharmed and we are fine.
Things can be replaced. So, can we purchase another copy of the video? How do we do that? Will you
autograph a new copy? Thank you again from the whole Vallone family. Please email me at this email address if we can purchase a
new video.

You are an amazing blessing to many people!By the way, the brownies were so delicious. Do you share the recipe?

Sincerely,

The Vallone Family Felix, Lorri, Jonathan, and Christian
El Paso, Texas

***************************************************

We went on the Dolphin Safari on Christmas Eve. day on the 2:00 boat. We had a sort of uneventful trip until it was time to head back to the harbor when Captain Dave announced he had sighted a megapod of dolphins and did anybody want to persue this. We all did and it was an unbelievable experience!! Thank you to Capt. Dave for the extra time he took and I sure hope he had time to get his wifs a Christmas present!! Everyone we encountered was very gracious and courteous and the brownies were wonderful! We will definitely be back on our next trip to California.
Lori Wilson

(Note from Mrs. Capt. Dave - Yes, he made it to Costco with only minutes to spare before the doors closed, and I received a beautiful bracelet! )

***************************************************
Hello,
I wanted to send you a huge heartfelt thank you! We are from Kansas City, Missouri. We visited California in July with nothing at all planed except for a trip on the Dolphin Safari. My partner and I took this trip for a four day weekend escape. She is a dolphin maniac; her room is wall-to-wall dolphins and had never seen a live dolphin up close and personal except on television. I wanted to surprise her with some sort of dolphin encounter while in California. I found your website while searching for a way to pet/see/be close to a dolphin while we were in California. We booked our trip and had an awesome time with the Captain and the safari adventure.
Not only did we see a few hundred dolphins dancing and playing along the boat, we were able to spot two blue whales fluking their mighty tails for us. Needless to say, my partner was in heaven. I think we both stood there with tears in our eyes...with complete amazement. We had both seen this for the first time and it was wonderful! What was even more amazing, we were able to see the blue whale, when we arrived back at the boat port some of the fisherman there were telling us they have not seen a blue whale in that part of California for over 45 years. We can't thank you enough for this experience and are already talking about our next trip out to California JUST to take another dolphin safari tour!
We were on the July 25th, 2003 Dolphin Safari trip, at 9am. I am sure the Captain will remember us; we were the ones stuck on the freeway and was a little late. So please pass along our gratitude to everyone for this wonderful experience. If you would please, could you also pass along an extra thank you to the lady who helped us get there? I never caught the lady's name who helped me, but the lady talked to me on my cell phone the last 10-15 minutes on the way there, we were stuck on the freeway and running late and afraid we would miss the trip, she was so kind! We will be seeing you again very soon!
Sincerely,
Paula and Renee, Kansas City, Missouri.

***********************************************

Hello Captain Dave,
Just wanted to thank you on behalf of my whole family who really enjoyed the dolphin/blue whale experience-that you provided. We were on your boat last Sunday afternoon (July 6, 2003) , on the 4:30pm tour, when you went out a little further and we got to see the blue whale. Man that was incredible and the dolphins were the icing on the cake. Plus my mom loves dolphins, so that was an even bigger treat for her. Anyhow, we talked about it the whole week and mentioned how much we not only enjoyed the whole experience, but that how unexpectedly cool you were about asking for our general opinion of what we wanted to do or see. Plus following the whale, so we could all get a good look over and over. Overall, once again thank you for providing us with such a rare and unique lifetime experience. I am defitnitely coming back with other people. And I'm telling everybody I know; co-workers, friends, family. So thank you and hope you keep having wonderfull sightings and I will definitey keep
checking your site, to find updates on your documentary. Thank you.
-Emmanuel

***********************************************

Hi Gisele -
We came out with you in June on a Dolphin Safari tour and had a wonderful time. The girls would like to come back so, we'd like to set something up. I see there might be a possibility of seeing Gray whales in April - this would be terrific, if possible. The girls had a really terrific time. They are still talking about it and definately want to spend this years cookie profits on taking a dolphin safari.
Thanks for your help.
Sue Haas, Leader
Junior Girl Scout Troop 691

***********************************************
Capt. Dave and First Mate Tom,
We are back in Wyoming now and I wanted to send you this e-mail to tell you what a great experience we had Thursday morning on the Safari. It was so amazing to be that close to the dolphins and be able to see the whale and her calf. Not to mention the dead dolphin adventure as a bonus.
My grandson, Quinton, has told his mother of the many things he saw and how the dolphins splashed him, how fast they swam and that he even got to drive the boat.
Thanks again for being one of best adventures of our vacation.
Bernice & Dave Madvig
We had a wonderful time on our Dolphin Safari. We recommend it to everyone whenever we get a chance. It was a very amazing experience, and well worth the time and money. It is one of the first things we talk about on our honeymoon! Any way, we just wanted to thank you.
Sincerely,
Joshua & Jessica Robinson

***********************************************
Captain Dave!!!

Hey there! How are you? Hope all is going well! My sister and I went dolphin watching with you back in November(2000) and I must say, we had a great time! We tell everyone about you! We were actually referred to you by my sister's boyfriend, Tom, who took a few of his nieces and nephews to see you. Anyway, I have a story to tell you... I was highly disappointed with my whale watching experience last week in San Diego(My friend and I spent Spring Break in California, visiting our siblings together)... It wasn't my fault,
because I clearly stated to my friend that you were the best guy to go whale watching with, but she and her brother and sister in law would not listen to me... Let me explain! We were on a boat with literally 100 other people. 30 of those people were children, running around, screaming. Another 40 of those people had their faces in plastic bags the whole time... And the rest were trying hard to spot whales to no avail... :( We saw maybe one whale the whole 3 hours we were out there... We saw a ton of dolphins off in the distance, but did the Captain turn round so we could see them? Of course not.. :( I kept reminding my friend (And other passengers on the boat) that YOU ("Captain Dave in Dana Point") only allow a few people on your boat, which makes it a much more relaxed boating experience :) Next time I am in California visiting my sister, we will definitely go dolphin/whale watching with YOU again! You may be a little more expensive than the whale watching "tours" in San Diego, but you are well worth it! By the way, when we were on our way to Catalina Island, leaving from Dana Point, I saw you and your new boat! It looks great! Well, anyway, I just wanted to let you know you are a great Captain and I can't wait to go dolphin/whale watching with you again SOON! Take care and please, never turn into one of those commercial whale watching tours like the ones in San Diego! ;)

Yours truly,
Lauren Phelps

***********************************************
Hello, all of you!
Dave and Gisele, first of all I want to THANK YOU so much for a fantastic time on the water on your beautiful new boat. It was a magical afternoon and evening out here, skimming the gentle waves with the sun going down and the birds flying overhead, and that's before I even get to the part about whales and dolphins!

I will never forget standing on the bridge between the catamarans, looking down at dolphins' backs as they swam with us and surfaced, with hundreds more all around, and the incredulous and joyful expressions Katelyn and I exchanged as we took it in together. I think it is something she will always remember, too. And the humpbacks were such a bonus! What a rare treat to see them, and so close, for so long. It was great to be with a group who could really appreciate them. And I was really glad that the outing was extra special for the two of you-- especially as your 4th trip of the day, Dave. I'm glad that your maiden whale watching trip on the new Sea unner was such a memorable one!

Thank you, again, for such a memorable gift. All six of us had a great time (and enjoyed the famous brownies)!

Till next time! Always, Gail & Family

***********************************************

Hi Captain Dave,
hope you are ok.
Its Alison and Victoria, with the five people that came in August from England.Do you remember? anyway thank you for taking us on the boat trip, we really enjoyed it! We have also sent you a picture of Victoria riding your boat, (see below). Thank you again
The Burts

***********************************************

To Captain Dave,
From: The Duran Family(Covina)
I don't know if you remember us but we were one of the families that you gave a trip to see the dolphins. My dads name is Dave too. Well my family wanted to thank you for that memorable trip. Seeing all those dolphins was sooo beautiful. We really admire what you do and think its great job. Thank you very much for a great memory and something we will never forget. We will definitely come back again.
Thank you!!!
5 year old Austin Holik says :
" Captain Dave's Dolphin Safari is more fun than Disneyland!!"

***********************************************
Dear Captain Dave,
Our family enjoyed the Dolphin Safari tour. We have been on many dolphin and whale watch trips before, and we found your narrative the most informative. The gray whale baleen sample was very neat and the kids liked your dolphin and whale models. I'll never forget the look of joy on my son Austin's face as he watched the dolphins playfully bow-ride and breach. We are looking forward to our next ocean adventure with you.
Thanks very much,
The Holik Family
Winthrop Harbor, IL
"Dolphins win over Super Bowl!!!!"

***********************************************

Dear Captain Dave,
My husband, two close friends of ours from San Jose, and I were out at sea with you on the Saturday before Super Bowl this year. We all wanted to thank you for the incredible experience. There must have been hundreds of dolphins splashing around out there. We were so awe struck that we must have spent the whole two hours up at the bow.

***********************************************

We're natives of Southern California and never took advantage of such a wonderful resource as your dolphin safari. We've begun to tell all our friends and we plan on coming back to see you and your marine life next week!

Warmest regards,

Shane and Soyoun Lansing
Mission Viejo, CA
PS- in my opinion, the dolphins were much more exciting than the Super Bowl : )

***********************************************

Captain Dave,
...We went on an early morning Dolphin Cruise the day before Thanksgiving. My wife, 2 daughters and I were in awe when we saw the Dolphins. There must have been several hundred in the pod. We spent a good 1 1/2 to 2 hours just watching the dolphins, both above and below the water. It is something that we will remember forever. Both of our daughters said it was the most amazing thing they had ever seen.

Our youngest just kept repeating "incredible, incredible!" Of all the vacations we have ever taken, including Hawaii and Disneyworld, this was the most memorable. Seeing hundreds of dolphins swimming alongside the boat, splashing and frolicking wild & free, defies all words. We can't thank you enough for giving us these special memories.

Also, the videotape is a wonderful way to remember our vacation, and our friends the dolphins. We are really glad we bought it.

Jay, Lynn, Jennifer and Emily Abrams
Carrollton, Texas

***********************************************
Hi Dave,
Hoping this letter finds you well and enjoying the rest of the summer.
Once again I must thank- you from the bottom of my heart for an absolutely wonderful, informative and just plain Fantstic day!!!
I will treasure that day for the rest of my life. It made such an impression on me to be out there with such peaceful creatures on a beautiful day, with such good company. I can't thank-you enough!! ...
Jackie Cashin
New Jersey

***********************************************
Hi Dave,
We just want to thank you for a wonderful day at sea. Watching the Dolphins jump, splash and play seems to
us to be an incredible expression of pure joy.

Our time with you on the Lucid Dreamer was certainly the highlight of our special 29th anniversary trip.
We will always remember with great delight how God touched our hearts with His joyful creatures. ...
Thanks again,
Rick and Suzi Hill

***********************************************

Captain Dave,

The trip was fantastic. The dolphins were phenomenal and seeing the whales was a great experience. Hope to go again sometime.

Thanks, Jeanene & Bob (8:00 tour 1/21/2000)