Cycling: WW LDTG Saratoga

Amy and I rode the Western Wheeler training ride to Saratoga
photos check out the route map

GPS Basic Class

I took a class at San Francisco REI
GPS Basic

Paddle: Horseshoe Cove - Pt. Diablo

Kim organized a "gunk holing" trip from Horseshoe Cove out the Gate. I didn't think we'd make it too far as there was a large swell in off the Pacific. The Mavericks surf competition was held the day before on Saturday. I watched the huge surf break off Point Bonita as a drove across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Seven of us (Kim, Thomas, Larry, Amber, Paula, Rich and me) launched and made our way slowly down to Point Diablo (route map). Though conditions were relatively tame, occassionally a big set would roll through. We returned to the Presidio Yacht Club which will be forced to close in Oct 2008.

photos

Cycling: WW Shoreline

Amy and I rode the Western Wheeler long distance training (LDT) Shoreline ride. I forgot my helmet and had to run down to the cycling outfitters and get a new Bell helmet. The weather started cloudy but cleared to be a beautiful sunny day. There was still much debris from the storm on the roadway. We did a few small hills and then caught the rest of the group at Shoreline Park for lunch.

Winter Storm

We weathered the big storm (see San Francisco Chronicle Article ) lossing electricity at home from about 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM. All our trees are still up but we lost the chimney cap. I recovered it on the sidewalk and will wait for a break in the rain to reinstall.

Albert's New Year Paddle

Keith graciously hosted a paddle on New Year's Day for Albert and his friends. Albert has been fighting cancer for the past few months. You can read his story at Albert's Blog

A huge turn out for the paddle (some 60 - 80) filled the dock and parking at Jack London Square to capacity. I was late as I was reading the story in the recent Sea Kayaker Magazine about the guy trying to paddle across Lake Michigan. As often happens when one runs late, I forgot my nice roast beef sandwich lunch, hat, and paddle. Well, I had half a Tooksok and half a Mitchell paddle which does not equal one whole paddle. Fortunately, Kieth saved the day and lent me a Aquabound Manta Ray paddle. I rather liked the paddle and would recommend you try it out if you have some Christmas money to spend.

Most the crowd paddled to the estuary entrance, mugged for a group photo and paddled back to CCK for a big potluck lunch. Bob Stender stood on the rocky point and snap a group photo.

Twentyone kayakers continued on with a circumnavigation of Alameda Island (see the route map) under the direction of Jesse. While the group stopped at Robert Crown Beach for lunch, Susan , Jack, and I (those without lunch) pressed on to Jack London Square. When we cruised by Government Island, we got a close up look at the Coast Guard cutter Boutwell. You can read about the Boutwell's recent exploits at this link.

Happy New Year to each of you!! Thank you so much Keith for a great day on the Bay and check out the photos.

Bob Stender's great photos.