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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.