Paddle: Pt. Richmond - Albany

On a beautiful Saturday morning, Jesse, Joe, Mike, and Mike launched from Ferry Point at Point Richmond. We paddled out around the break water then headed east towards Albany. We stopped for lunch at Albany and watched pelicans dive for fish. After lunch we checked out the art exhibit and the old Ford plant in Richmond. Very nice paddle.

Photos

Paddle: Drake's Estero

Joan initiated a beautiful winter paddle at Point Reyes. We launched from Johnson's Oyster Farm and rode the ebb tide to the ocean. Saw a flock of white pelicans on the sand bar at the mouth of the estero. We enjoyed lunch at the entrance to Limatour Estero and then paddled back. Had to poke around a bit to find a route as the water level was getting low but made for some good photos of the oyster beds.

Photos

Paddle: La Jolla

After cycling around La Jolla and having a sushi lunch it was time for kayaking. There were a bunch of folks signed up for the kayak tour. We suited up at the shop and walked down to the beach. I almost lost my camera, left it sitting out side the shop fortunately I remembered in time and ran back to get it. We launched off a sandy beach with no surf and headed south. We followed the coast line until we got to a series of seven sea caves. We checked out the caves but didn’t go inside. We did go through an arch further south and then turned back north. It was a pleasant tour even thought we were in big plastic sit-on-tops.

Photos

Hiking: Torrey Pines State Reserve

Got to San Diego early enough in the afternoon for a hike. Rode the 101 Bus north through La Jolla to Torrey Pines State Reserve. You can only enter the park from the north which is good because I missed the bus stop and ended up at the beach. I hiked back to the visitor center which sits on the ridge above the beach. I had a chat with the friendly volunteer who recommended the Razor Point Trail. You hike down one ridge to a cliff just above the Pacific Ocean then turn south and hike back up the next ridge. The sunset into the Pacific was spectacular.

Photos

Paddle: Petaluma River Mouth

Susan initiated a paddle on the Petaluma River. It was a beautiful, sunny fall, Sunday. Joining Susan were Joan, Paula, and myself. We launched from Green Point right under the Hwy 37 bridge. There was a gentle breeze (8 – 12 mph) straight out of the north so everyone naturally wanted to go south. We paddled past the railroad swing bridge to the mouth of the Petaluma Creek. We headed up the creek wondering if we would run out of water or if the tide would go out and we’d be stuck schlepping through the mud. Surprisingly, we managed to go nearly a mile inland before the creek narrowed making turning around difficult. We paddled back out of the creek and continued south around Petaluma Point. Enjoying spectacular Bay vistas we paddled past the mouth of Navato Creek. We turned around and worked back against the wind and current to Green Point were we had to thread our way around fishing lines to land.

Photos

Cycling: Peers Park to Stevens Creek Park

Amy and I were going to do the Western Wheeler ride on Saturday but we got running late. I was out kayaking earlier in the morning and then we got lost trying to find Peers Park. After finding the park we set off through the Standford campus and then south on the Foothills Expressway. I was pretty well fried after lifting weights all week and kayaking earlier in the day. We had a nice day in the sun and got 2-hours of work.

Paddle: Alcatraz

Pedro phone late Friday and asked for a hand with a swim Saturday morning. I was scheduled to for a bike ride at 10:00 but agreed to a 6:30 paddle from Crissy Field to Alcatraz. We launched from the St. Francis Yacht Club and followed the swimmers who were pointed towards Angle Island but were carried swiftly to east by the flood tide. We had to take a short break while a cargo container ship crossed our path. After 55 minutes the last swimmers tagged “The Rock” and boarded a skiff for the ride home. Naturally, the kayakers had to slog back into the current for the last half hour.

I couldn't land where I launched from because the rising tide was crashing into the wall at the yacht club so I paddled down to Crissy Field and walked back to get the car.

Photos

Paddle: Berkeley to Albany

On Sunday morning I met with Gordon and Gwen for an early morning paddle. We launched from the Berkeley Marina, home of the famous Scott Peterson fishing expedition. We kayaked north to the Albany Buldge a big landfill site about 3 miles away. There was little wave action and a slight breeze from the southwest. Gwen and Gordon are recent graduates of the BASK Skills Clinic they are also knowledgable of East Bay issues. The paddle was a nice pleasant time on the water.

Glass Blowing

While staying at Fort Bragg, we visited a glass blowing studio. It was fun to watch them make glass pumpkins.

Photos

Lodge at Noyo River

Drove up to Fort Bragg Friday evening. Stayed at the Lodge at Noyo River with Mom and Dad.

Cycle: Western Wheeler Ride to Tiburon

Chad and I did the Western Wheeler "C" ride from San Francisco to Tiburon. It was a spectacular fall day. We started at the Golden Gate Bridge because there was a big golf tournament at Harding Park the usual Western Wheeler start location. As we were waiting on the folks who rode the train to San Francisco, one of the old Liberty Ships sail out under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Once we climbed to the top of Conzelman we could see a whole line of ships sailing into the Bay for Fleet Week. We rode down by Horseshoe Cove and then had lunch in Tiburon. On the way back we got to see part of the air show. All in all a fun day.

Photos

Paddle: Limatour to Alamere Falls

Great open coast paddle initiated by our fearless president Fred. On a foggy Saturday morning we gathered on the shores of Drakes Bay. Launch was delayed a bit and rather sporadic when it occurred. We paddled south to Point Resistance. Along the way we saw much evidence of geological weathering along the coast. At Point Resistance there were several arches, caves and blow holes to check out. We goofed around and waited for the others. We continued south to Millers Point for lunch . There was a large group of seals hanging at the point. Everyone was following me to find a decent landing. I selected what looked like a nice sandy beach the surf was dumping but very small. I pulled in close to shore and rode wave in only to realize at the last moment the beach was all gravel as soon as the last wave sucked out. My bow landed hard on the rocks and I broach to the right. I braced nicely and popped back up more by luck than skill. Of course everyone was hungry and followed me in. Once safely on the beach, Joan let me know we should have landed further north. After munching down shared veggies, cookies and chocolate half the group headed back while the other half continued south. On reflection, it probably would have been easier for everyone to launch by pushing their boats out past the small surf and flopping in, well that's why we write journals. The fog which had been clearing seemed to close down on us. We paddled hard for about 45 minutes and the falls appeared from the fog. After we snapped a few photos we headed for home. We chucked home at a decent pace. I crashed hard on a simple surf landing (took a chunk out of my helmet) need more practice. I was going to do a roll for Dan Mauk who taught me how but it was too shallow.

Photos

Cycling: Lance Armstrong Foundation Ride

My cousin Kelly invited me up to Portland for the inagural Lance Armstrong Foundation ride. We got up early Sunday morning and made our way out to the Nike Campus in Beaverton. The start was a chilly, chilly fall morning but the sun soon came out and warmed our bones. We decided to do the 40 mile course which was very flat. There were rest stops every 10-miles and I must have eaten a pound of gummy bears between all the stops.

Kelly did a great setting a steady tempo over the whole course. At the end of the ride we went back to Kelly's for blackberry pie baked special for me by Georgia Kessi. Next year we have to do the 70 mile course.

Photos

Paddle: Horseshoe Cove to Sausalito Pt

Mitch phoned Monday afternoon and wanted to go play off the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge in the 5 knot ebb. I met up with him and another guide but was feeling a bit burned after the ride yesterday so decided not to chance a Gate crossing. Instead I took an easy paddle down to Spinaker Restaurant in Sausalito and then paddled back. The water off Yellow Bluff was really churning with a stiff wind in through the Gate and a big ebb.

Cycle: Surf City Century

Amy and I drove down to Aptos in the new Xterra. The ride was very nice and we took it at an easy pace. Fall was definitely in the air with a chilly start and fog that hung on until 10:00.

Ride Stats
time 4:14
avg HR 145
distance 61 miles
ascent 3020

Photos

Paddle: US Surf Ski Nationals

I launched from Horseshoe Cove and paddled over to Sausalito to watch the US Surf Ski National races. There were two courses a short one the turned around at Lime Rock and the longer course out to the Potato Patch. There was a stiff westerly wind and I was glad not to be racing out on the long course.

Photos

Paddle: Sea Trek Katrina Relief

Sea Trek sponsored a Wednesday night paddle to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief. Over 60 people and 15 guides turned out for the event. Donations were made and over $3,100 raised. The evening was beautiful with no wind or fog and a near full moon. We splashed around Richardson Bay for a couple of hours taking in the sights of the San Francisco and Sausalito night lights and talking of all things about knitting.

Photos

Paddle: Santa Cruz to Moss Landing

Larry, Emily and I launched from Santa Cruz at 7:10 AM. It was a sunny, beautiful morning. We had two compasses but one was broken so for about an hour we headed straight into the fog and used wave direction and the sun as refence points. I was very happy to see the twin stacks of the electric plant emerge out of the gloom. Later in the day we pick up a stiff breeze from the SW making the Eddyline Falcon weather cock. Finally had to drop the skeg. We made it in just over five hours.

Photos

Paddle: Swim of the Centurians

Gregg Berman and I launched from Islais Creek on a beautiful Saturday morning at 7:00 AM. We paddled north to Aquatic Park where we joined 19 other kayakers who supported the swim of the centurians. The swimmers jumped off a ferry at the east end of Alcatraz Island and swam back to Aquatic Park. After the swim, Gregg and I paddled back to Islais Creek. I went to the Giants game and watched another losing effort.

Photos

Paddle: Davenport to Santa Cruz

Drove down to Santa Cruz on Friday night and camped out in the Harbor Inn. Had a big salmon dinner at the Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz harbor. In the morning we got up and drove north to Davenport Landing (just north of the town of Davenport). It was a well protected cove with no surf. Marcus and Richard wanted to slam the miles down and for a change I was the one dawdling wanting to take photos and eat my Luna bars. We made good time in mild conditions, a light head wind but swell from the NW pushed us along. The kelp was so thick that egrets could land and and walk the beds. There were many otters but they are hard to photograph being shy and ducking under water as we approached. The geology of the area is different from the Bay Area. All the sandstone is laid down flat and not heaved up like the Marin Headlands. We made good time and finished under four hours.

Photos

Paddle: Schoonmaker to Around Angel Island

Jenning initiated a trip from Schoonmaker around Angel Island. She asked me to co-lead so we came up with a route and launch time. Sunday was a spectacular day. The top of Angel Island was shrouded in fog as we crossed over about 10:30. Not much tidal current, we circled the island counterclockwise. Lunch was at China Cove. We dodged the tacking sail boats back down Raccoon Straight. Landed at Schoonmaker at 2:30 in time to make it to the Universe Within Exhibit.

Great Day!! Photos