Pender Island July 2012

During our wonderful week in British Columbia, we had the privilege to spend 3 days with old friends John and Ted and (most of) their families. Hosts John and Cindy provided an awesome place to stay, fantastic meals, fun-filled outings and of course, the enduring companionship of great friends (since 1967 for me). One of our outings included kayaking along the shoreline of South Pender Island. The scenery must be experienced to be appreciated. We paddled from a put in spot 2 miles from their waterfront home, and switched paddlers; Ted taking my place as he and John continued for another few miles and back. Later in the day, Ted and I paddled back to the original put in.

Solo to Shark Inlet

I went out for a solo paddle on a rising tide on Saturday evening, July 14, 2012. I left the Baywood pier at 5:30 pm and paddled southwest  into the wind and across the back bay to the Shark Inlet area, which was in the lee of the sand spit dunes. It was a good, brisk paddle over, and the wind provided a pretty decent workout for me. I investigated little nooks and channels in the far corner, and found a nice place to just chill for a few minutes.
On the way back, I called my best bud Doug on the occasion of his birthday (also Bastille Day).

Two paddle day

Mike and his new Necky Manitou 14 with skeg

One day, paddling twice, very nice.

This morning (July 13, 2012) buddy Mike and I paddled from the Tidelands Marina to take his new Necky Manitou 14 out on its maiden voyage. We paddled on a receding tide to the sand spit and south past Grassy Island, with just enough water to make it through. We continued on south to the channel and then over to Baywood at Pasadena Point. From there we paddled just outside the estuary area and over to show Mike the new launch point at the State Park Marina. Paddling past the museum, we continued up the east side and back to the marina. Mike loved the new boat, and we were in the boats for about 2 1/2 hours. Much easier on his back than the scrambler. Faster too, as well as drier and quieter. Good stuff.

At 5 pm, Ron, Lorelei and I paddled into the wind from the Baywood Pier across to King Dune, where we took out and hiked to the top to enjoy a dinner of Noi's yellow curry with an ocean view. The scenery, food, company and paddle were all top notch. The tide was high, plenty of water everywhere, and Ron got to test out his boat with the rudder that he added to keep from blowing sideways all the time. It worked! 

Morro Bay June 30, 2012

Mike and I paddled from the Tidelands Marina on an approaching low tide. We correctly estimated that we would have just enough water to cross at the north end of the sand spit and follow it south, knowing that the area near grassy island would be very shallow. We only hit bottom a couple of times, but would have had a more difficult time 15minutes later. The weather alternated between partly sunny and almost completely gray, with a slight breeze. We stopped to climb the sand spit for a look at the ocean, and were surprised to see the smallest waves I can recall. Back in the boats, we continued south to the place where the channel wraps around to meet the sand spit. From there, we followed the channel back across toward Los Osos, staying with the channel on the east side, past the museum area and returned to the marina. In all, we were out just shy of 3 hours; time well spent.

Baywood solo

Went out solo this morning. The tide was not going to be too high, leaving just a window of time for paddling in the back bay from Los Osos. I left the pier at Baywood 45 minutes before high tide and returned 45 minutes after high tide. There was little wind, the sky was grey and trying to get sunny. In the Baywood cove I spotted a couple of bat rays, with one going right under me, but couldn't get a picture worth saving. I paddled out to the estuary, trying to find the channel  and eventually turned back when I realized that it would be too easy to get stranded in 3 inches of water. I headed back and paddled along the north side of the Baywood peninsula, and down as far as 8th street, which is only 2 blocks from home. Alas, the views from this side of the hill are much bettter.... The algae bloom has begun, and should soon cover much of the shallow areas along the shoreline there and also along the sandspit. A nice paddle back and an enjoyable hour and a half. I cover a lot more distance when paddling solo, and got at least a bit of a workout. The real workout was in the yard when I returned. All good.

Quarry and Park Ridge Loop Trail

After a morning of kayaking, what better way to spend an afternoon than taking the Quarry and Park Ridge trails loop from South Bay Blvd? OK, maybe you can thing of something better, but this hit the spot for us, as Mike, Clarice, Susan and I did the 2.5-3.0 mile loop with great views of the ocean, bay and surrounding foothills. It would have been perfect except Susan and I found 7 ticks between us when we got home, despite having checked at the end of the hike. We are still hoping that 7 was all of them......

Susan on Park Ridge Trail overlooking Morro Bay

Memorial Day Weekend Paddle

Bennett and Ron dwarfed by the dredger

Well, the back bay had about a spoonful of water in it, so we headed to Morro Bay to paddle from the Tidelands Marina. Mike, Bennett, Ron, Lorelei and I headed into the breeze and into the incoming tide; destination Morro Rock. The weather just kept getting better as we paddled. Lots of rental kayaks out and people having fun. We hugged close to the rock to keep our distance from the dredger that was on its way in. We paddled over to the north jetty and along it, just checking stuff out, and eventually out into the harbor entrance itself, where, true to form the ocean showed just how powerful it is even on a calm day. The trip back was almost too easy, with the wind and tide pushing us home.

Boogie Boarding at 24th Street

Mike M. and I at the start of the Memorial Day weekend. We met fellow b-boarders Mary and Lorelei for a venture into the surf. A bit chilly today. Mike and I got beat up pretty good trying to surf the break. Lots of great rides, though.

Super Moon Paddle in Los Osos

Well, the moon appeared to me as a regular full moon (not the super moon of media coverage), but with a high tide and a windless, cloudless night, it was a great time for a moonlit paddle. Four of us headed out from the Cuesta inlet at sunset and spent 2 hours paddling the back bay along the sand spit and shark inlet. It was a beautiful night of paddling and friendship, enjoyed by all.

Paddling with friends is the best

April 7, and a fine, easy paddle with great friends and stimulating conversation. Set with the background of the back bay on a fine day, our Baywood to Cuesta to  Shark inlet to sand spit and back to Baywood paddle was the kind that puts a two day smile on your face. Thanks to Mary, Lorelei, Ron, Linda and Jim!

Surfing in the Bay

On April 5, Mike M. and I paddled out from the Baywood Pier around 10 am. The breeze was just starting to pick up and the tide was near its peak. We headed to the sand spit and got out of the wind. We paddled south into Shark Inlet, and then back up along the spit, taking out to stretch our legs and snack on pretzels and pistachios.
The wind had picked up considerably, so instead of paddling a straight line back to Baywood, we heade upwind until we had a direct wind-at-our-back ride back to Baywood, heading southeast. By this time, the bay was covered with 2+ foot wind waves that were very tight. We found ourselves surfing on the way back. I had to do some back leaning to keep my kayak nose out of the water in the trough of the wave in front of me. We really flew back, whooping and giggling.

Morro Bay January 28, 2012

Had a wonderful paddle with friend Linda Angelo today. I walked my kayak down to the Baywood pier on the cart and paddled over to meet Linda in Cuesta. We paddled to Shark Inlet and then north along the sand spit, taking out across from the estuary and hiked up to the top, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch (thanks Linda!) and great views. Pretty much perfect weather with a slight breeze. The central coast in January; priceless.

Back Bay Jan. 6, 2012

Looking East from middle of sand spit. Foggy on the mainland

For the past week, the tides have been such that there has been little water during daylight hours. By Friday the 6th, the highest tide of the day had worked up to 8 am, which meant that I needed to go out early on my last day here before returning to the "real world". Unable to find anyone else interested in an early paddle, I got up, made some coffee, apologized to the dog (who has become accustomed to morning walks) and headed down to Pasadena Point, where it was cold and windy. No matter; there was plenty of water. I paddled without pause across the bay to the sand spit, and arrived at 8:24. Not a soul was in sight on the water. It was just a bit foggy, but I could still see Baywood a mile across the bay. Well, at least I could see an outline of Baywood. On the ocean side, the surf was pounding, and the winds turned the waves into a series of crashing boils. I sat out of the wind, in a bit of sun, and enjoyed my lukewarm coffee. Note to self: Bring the thermos, not the commuter cup. The paddle back was warmer and faster, with my back to the wind. This was my 5th paddle in 6 days at the start of the new year (the non-paddle day was body boarding), so no complaints from this guy! Back to work.

Morro Bay Jan. 5, 2012

Paddled in the afternoon again with Mike. We left Tidelands Marina and paddled south toward Baywood on a zero tide. We went as far south as the State Park Marina, where we observed the rather slow construction of the new ramp (nothing has changed since the last time we looked).

Smooth water on Morro Bay

We reversed direction and headed into the incoming tide, going not quite to the harbor entrance by Morro Rock. Most of the paddle was absolutely windless, which made it that much more enjoyable. Made it home in time to wash up and get ready for the Dick Dale show at SLO Brew that night. Great show, but this is a paddling blog after all.

Morro Bay Jan. 3 2012

Mike and I paddled from the marina out to the harbor entrance today. It was pretty dicey in the harbor entrance, with breakers coming over the jetty. We took out at the south jetty and walked to the most southern jetty, along the way trying to return some large crabs to the ocean that had been washed up in the big surf. The crabs will no doubt be part of some sea bird by now. A beautiful sunny day with a great friend. It's great to be able to say that I have paddled every day this year so far. Someday, I may actually be able to do an every day of the year paddle. Something to look forward to! Tomorrow; boogie boarding if the surf is not too huge.

Morro Bay Sunset Paddle

Friend Lorelei and I paddled from the Tidelands Marina, putting in just after 3:30 and paddling until sunset. The skies were cloudy, but there was no wind at all, so we had a beautiful flat water paddle up to the rock and back. In the clear shallows just east of the rock, where the bay turns the corner, we floated and watched bat rays resting on the bottom or gliding along. We spotted about half a dozen. The seals were out, as well as a sea otter, and the requisite water birds. Peaceful and gorgeous.

New Year's Day Paddle

I have tried to begin the past few years with a paddle on the bay, and made it out again today. Friends Lorelei and Ron joined me for a foggy paddle in mid-afternoon. The tides left the back bay a big mud flat for much of the day, but there was enough to get in and paddle by 2:30. Unfortunately, the rising tide corresponded with the incoming fog, which turned a previously warm and sunny day (totally gorgeous, really) into a grey and cool one. Still, a fine paddle around the back bay; lots of birds, no wind, good company, and enough visibility to paddle without getting disoriented. Happy New Year!

Morro Bay Paddle with most of the band

Jeffer, Mike and I paddled from the Tidelands Marina on a low tide. We headed south past the museum and followed the channel markers as far as the data collection center off of Pasadena Point in Baywood. Dozens of seals were "sunning" on the exposed mud flats along the way, always with a spotter checking us out. It was not a sunny day. Cool enough to be cold to sit on toppers with exposed feet and legs.
We paddled back, passing our entry point, and went up along the Embarcadero so we could tie up and have lunch at The Hofbrau, which was delicious and warm. The sun came out as we got back into the boats to finish our paddle. We stopped at Kayak Horizons to look around and Mike took a spin in a 13' Necky Manitou, which seemed like a good size for the bay. Mikey likes it!

We went wine tasting later in the afternoon at Wolff Vineyards in San Luis Obispo, and finished the day with takeout from Noi's Little Thai and a couple of hours of pickin' guitars. How good can it get?

Communication Breakdown

Saturday, November 3, 2011

Ron, Lorelei and I paddled north from Tidelands Marina and up the bay near Morro rock. Some of us were in the channel, and I saw approaching fishing boats so I yelled to "get out of the channel". This was interpreted as "go back" and we got split up. After checking, I decided to paddle out through the harbor entrance to check out the 6 ft. swells reported by surfers. Sure enough. We all re-convened some time later back at the put-in, each of us having had our own paddling experience.

Dolphins in Morro Bay-10/23/11

This paddle was fantastic! Late morning I put in at Tidelands Marina, which was as crowded as I have ever seen it. Lots and lots of fishing boats. The tide was heading out, but was near low tide, so I paddled south into the tide and past the museum and State Park Marina before turning around and heading back. I took a picture of the floating triangle and puzzled over its placement...??? On the way back toward Tidelands Marina I noticed dolphin fishing in the bay and took lots of still shots with my iphone (actually got a few with dolphin in them) before switching to video and shooting the short video posted here. Pretty unusual to see them in the bay. I continued my paddle up toward the rock and noticed a beach full of activity with (mostly) paddle boarders at Coleman Beach. I had read that there was a memorial race over the weekend. I also noticed the twin of the floating triangle, and am supposing that each was a race point marker. The tide was nearing lull, but there were tight, angular swells coming in between the jetties. I paddled out along the north jetty and just hung out for a while, watching boats coming and going. I noticed three dolphin heading out to sea. There is often whacky water in the channel here, but today produced white caps and very steep, tight swells. I stayed to the edge of them on my way back toward (the town of) Morro Bay, getting some good rides and nearly hitting a seal in the trough between swells. There were times when it took some effort to keep my bow from pearling, and several times when waves washed over, particularly when a big fishing boat produced wake that crossed the swells. I enjoyed the paddle back to the marina, with a slight breeze at my back that was bringing in the fog.