Long Break.

I have not posted for some time.  But I wanted to let anyone that may occasionally view my Blog that I am still kayaking often and will continue to post when anything of interest occurs.

Still at it

Still kayaking often, just have not made a post for a while.  Not much interesting happening this time of year.  And I have not been on a kayak dive for some time.  I have done some long paddles since getting my new kayak. It has a little more speed than my Scrambler XL, longer and sleeker also more controlable in the surf.

Some pics from my Frida (7/26 ) paddle.

 

Sea Lions

 

Kayak tourist at La Jolla Caves

Mt Soledad and La Jolla.

It Happened Again

Well, It happened again.  I went kayaking  on March 13 in the afternoon.  Came home and locked my kayak on top of my car.  When I got up the next morning my kayak was gone, the tie downs were cut and the cable lock had been cut and was missing with my U-bolt bike lock. I made a Police report.  The Police said that there is very little hope of getting it back.  And I don't think I will be as lucky as the last time.  They also said that there are no locking ssytems that will completely deter a determined thief.  They just keep the honest people honest and the lazy or ill-prepared thieves foiled until they come back with the right tools for the job.

So I had no choice but to find another kayak.

So my new kayak!!!

 

Whale Watching 1/20/13

A crystal clear warm day in San Diego.  Went kayaking on Sunday with my buddy Sue to hunt for Gray Whales.  We launched at Marine Room. There was no surf at all along this section of beach and the surface was glassy as far as we could see. A forty minute paddle to about two miles off La Jolla Shores, but just a half mile from the Chidren's Pool is where we headed.  This is where we most often see whales.  There must be some kind of underwater geographical feature that channels them here. Everytime I have seen a whale from my kayak it has been in this area.

No sooner had we reached our desination then we started spotting them.  The one pictured below would breach and exhale about five times and then sound, its tail would rise and then disappear below the surface for a deep dive.  He would then be gone for about five minutes.  We witnessed this about four times.  And though we are not sure it may have been the same whale.  This is based on timing and the repeated behavior.

 

 

 

But we know for a fact that there were more than one in the area as we did see more than one spout at a time

PIctures speak a thousand words

 

The water was so still and glassy you can see my reflection.  This was taken at our furthist point from shore in open water.  Hardly a ripple.

 

 

Then back at The Marine Room we were able to see the Leopard Sharks where they hang out in the shallows.  There were dozens of them.  This is a yearly occurance.  but not usually at this time of year.  This is very unusual.  This is more a late spring and summer phenomena.

The Monster Returns - June 10

So Sue and I launched our kayaks this morning at the boat launch on Avenida De La Playa in La Jolla.  I wanted her to experience this entry point so she could compare it to Marine Room.  Both have their benefits. At the boat launch you can drive your car right out on the beach and unload. but then you must go find a parking spot, and they have a time limit.  Sometimes hard on a beautiful summer day.  At Marine Room you must portage your kayak down to the beach.  But once parked you can stay there all day with not time limit.

On our first paddle in La Jolla she made it out past the Children's Pool.  So this time I set a goal of South Casa or Hospital Point.  I let her set the pace and told her that when she felt she had reached her limit we could turn back.  Well, she kept on paddling and paddling. And before you knew it we were past my original goal and she still felt like continuing.  So we then went as far as Marine Street Beach.  Below is a picture from Sue's kayak of our furthest point south.

Created a Monster

Sue's first La Jolla Paddle

My dive buddy Sue recently purchased a used sit-on-top ocean kayak.  She was exited to get out and try it.  So we met one Sunday morning at Marine Room, La Jolla Shores . I had told her that I would let her set the pace and the distance we went each time. But I expected her to increase it a little each time we went. 

I had ulterior motives.  I wanted to create a kayak monster just like I have become.  I gave her some instructions and shoved her into the surf.  She paddled out and made it through the surf without spilling.  I then turned to the beach to get my kayak launched.  When I turned back she was in the water.  I paddle quickly out to her.  I gave her verbal instructions on how to get back in.  (I was not about to show her.  I am not going to get totally soaked just so she can learn to get back on her kayak.  She the one who tipped, not me).  After a few tries she was up and ready to go.


Then we set out. I said that pretty much everyone can make it over to " The Caves" Even the tourists who have never been on a kayak can do this.  So we went there.  Then I asked; "Can you make it to Buoy "A"?"  She said she could. We did. 

Then I asked; "Can you get to Buoy "B"?  She said she could and we did.  Just about here I told her that out towards Children's Pool is where I have seen Gray Whales. 

Then she asked how far is it to "Children's Pool"  I told her that it was about 20 minutes from where we were.  She wanted to attempt it.  I reminded her; "You understand that we have to get back, right?"  She did and we went there.  Just as we headed there we found ourselves in the midst of a small pod of Dolphin.  That was a great sighting for her first time out.

At that time I told her I was very impressed with what she had accomplished but thought we should turn around.

We turned about and I explained to her the differences we would experience with speed and apparent speed now that we were going with the swell instead of against it.  Soon we were back and ready to attempt re-entry through the surf. I gave her a few tips on how to avoid tipping in the surf. And she did it just right and stuck the landing 100%  She was stoked about what she did. It was not until we were eating lunch and she went to lift her Iced Tea to drink that she realized how much had really done. She had to augment her lift with her other arm. Bu that was just a momentary thing. And she can't wait to get back out. 

But my plans have been foiled.  I don't have to Create a Monster. It was there lurking beneath the surface all the time.

Whales Sighted at Mission Beach Yesterday

Well, today (Friday, April 20) is my Furlough day from SDUSD Transportation. A day off with out pay designed to help the budget. The weather report said that In-land it will reach the 80's or 90's With temperatures in the desert in the 100's.

But along the Coast the high pressure is going to keep the fog and Marine layer hanging around the shoreline most of the day. But that is not going to stop me from getting out in the water.

Reports were that yesterday a Gray Whale and its calf were seen in the surf zone at Mission Beach. They were able to get video of the two whales. So I thought this would be as likely a day to see some whales as any.

So I got up early, loaded up the kayak and headed for Marine Room to launch. The weather report was accurate. It was overcast and cool. Not much wind though. So just before 0800 I headed out onto a gray green sea to try and spot some whales. The swell was kind of large out of the Northwest with another smaller, short interval, swell coming from the SW. The NW swell was big enough that I had to stay outside the reef breaks at Children's Pool, Wind & Sea, and Bird Rock.

I made it down to Crystal Pier in 90 minutes. There I took a break. While resting on my kayak I noticed a flock of Brown Pelicans coming towards me like a storm-cloud out of the WSW. They were following a large school of bait fish. As they came closer I noticed that not all the splashes were from a Pelican plunging into the water. A good sized pod of Dolphins (possible Pacific white-sided) hunted the same school. Resting there, the Pelicans and the Dolphins swam or flew right around my kayak. Never even pausing in their hunt, they plunged and splashed and dove all around me. In less then ten minutes the school was decimated and the birds and dolphins vanished as fast as they had appeared.

Not having seen any whales I decided I would head back north. I was going to paddle for half an hour until I got to Bird Rock and then take a rest. As I got to the south side of Bird Rock Cove I saw, off to my left, three large Bottlenose dolphins. They were on a course to the North. At first they were making good speed and to keep up I had to paddle as fast as I could. I did this for about half an hour with no break. Then about Wind & Sea it appeared that i lost them. By then they had crossed inside and were about 1/4 mile ahead.

I then rested for a short time. After proceeding on I caught sight of them again. Still between me and the shoreline. This time they were slowly hunting on the reefs. So slowly that I had to go about half my regular speed so as not to overtake them. I did this for about another hour. During that time a few Sea Lions came by to pester the Dolphins and check me out. Finally near to The Children's Pool I lost them for good.

Though I did not get to see any Gray Whales, it was a terrific paddle. Hit the shoreline at 1150, three hours fifty minutes after leaving. The last two hours spent following my three dolphin pals. The surf had fallen since I left and I stuck the landing with no spills.

Sensations (January 28, 2012)

For some time the weather has been, well.....winter-like. But on Thursday (1/26) Summer arrived ahead of schedule. Suddenly we had clear skies and temperatures in the high 70's low 80's. So there was nothing to do but get out on my kayak. Now, on Thursday I only had a short time. So I just took a short jaunt out to The Far Kelp, fifty minutes round trip (plus prep time).

But Saturday was just as nice. I was down to the beach by 0830. I launched at Marine Room restaurant, at the south end of La Jolla Shores, instead of my regular entry at the boat launch. This way you can park and you do not have to move your car.

I hear the snap, crackle, and pop stepping on the beached kelp as I take the kayak down to the shore, Sandflies buzz up and alight on my legs, the occasional annoying one that flies up my nose or in my ear.

Warm sun on my face, legs, and arms. A very gentle 1 to 2 knot wind brushes across bare skin. Cool water on legs as I enter, and a brisk wave floods over the bow of my kayak slapping me in the face. The smell of the remains of a wood fire on the beach waft past my nose. The skirl of shore birds wheeling in the air reaches my ears.

I paddle out again to the Far Kelp west of Children's Pool. I am hoping to see some whales, it is migration season. I have not seen any this year. Also there was a report of a White Shark to the south off Imperial Beach. To see that would be a great experience (as long as all I experienced was seeing him). So I paddle west as far as the last kayak fisher. Then I turn south to head towards Marine Street, Wind-and-Sea, and Bird Rock.

It has been a very long time since I have done a really long kayak. But I was feeling pretty good. So I just found a nice maintainable pace and kept going. Before I knew it I was past Marine Street, past Wind-and-Sea, and at Bird Rock. So I just kept going. I spotted some dive boats at Wreck Alley to the West of Mission Beach and pointed my bow in that direction. I made it all the way out there and that is when I took my first break. Travel time was about two hours.

On the way south, along the rocky, west-facing beaches the surf was big, and I had to stay far outside. The roar of the crashing surf was the only sound filling my ears.

After a short rest I turned about and headed back. The sun is now on my back and the wind in my face. As long as it is gentle this is nice, it it keeps me cool on hot days, and creates a false sensation of speed. Today, though light, the breeze was chilling me some. So I put on my shirt to cut down on the wind chill factor. Heading into the wind little wind-wavelets slap the bow of my kayak.

Once around the point at Children's Pool I turn east and head to the beach. Wind and the long swell pushing at my back I pick up speed a little. Just in time as after 3 1/2 hours I am getting a bit tired. Each time a swell passes beneath my kayak I am pushed forward and a bow wake splashes on the lee. The surf is no longer crashing in this protected bay. And so quite sounds become more prominent. The splash of my paddle, sea birds calling, and a whisper from behind me. Something is following me. I can hear it after each stroke. Oh, it just the whisper of my wake.

Last day of Christmas

Monday, January 2, 2012.

My last day of Xmas vacation. Yesterday I did a dive with my buddy Mark K. condtions were nice, foggy.

So today I waited until about 1:00 PM and headed for La Jolla Shores for a paddle. The fog was just burning off at that time. To the South and west was the Fog Bank. To the north it was clear and blue. Air temp was a cool 64 degrees. Hit the surf at about 2:40 and headed straight out to the Far Kelp. It was kind of choppy with a wind frim the north of about 2-3 knots, just the occasional white cap, and a swell from the northwest of about 2 -4 feet. Just a nice day.

Once I got out past the kelp the fog had receeded and it was sunny, though it did not warm up much. But the sun on my back felt good. The wind dropped just a little so the chop was less. Headed North with the hope of meeting up with the Gray Whales.

On the way out I passed a group of Kayak tourist coming back in. After they passed I had the ocean to myself. No tourist (nto that they are bad), no fishermen. Just me and the birds.

I did not encounter any Whales today. On the way in a couple of Harbor Seals and a Sea Lion (juvey) came and checked me out.

Just nice to be out on the water

Tess, Visiting From Seattle

I went kayaking today with my dive buddies, Mark (right) and Debbie (center) and their friend Tess, from Seattle. We met at 10:00 and they picked up their kayaks from one of the rental places along Avenida De La Playa in La Jolla. While they were doing that I got my kayak down to the beach and got it ready to go.


Mark and Debbie rented a tandem kayak. Here they are over against the cliffs and cave area east of La Jolla Cove.

It was a pretty calm day. Not much of a swell and the surf was just small ankle slappers over at the Boat Launch. There is still a very heavy Red-tide. So visibility below the surface was only a foot or two. So it was not possible to see anything of the reef


It was calm enough to paddle into the Caves. But since we were not with a guide Mark, Debbie, and Tess were restricted from going into the Caves. Being on my personal kayak I was able to. I took a quick excursion into Emerald Cove and through the pass-though cave, which is about 50 yards to the right of this picture of all three Tess in the foreground, Mark & Debbie behind.







Tess is a kayaker back in Seattle. She is used to Sit-in kayaks. She usually goes on lakes and rivers. This may have been her first time on a "Sit-on-top".

From there we took a trip out to Buoy "A" in the kelp. Saw a couple of Harbor seals. Then paddled back in to shore. I went into the beach first to help the others come in through the surf. It was so small that everyone made it in without any help, and no-one tipped.

Over to El Charro's for some Shrimp Burritos.

Having spent 4 years in Seattle it was fun chatting about it. Reminiscing about all the things to do places to visit. Told Tess about the kayak tour place on Alki Beach that I went when there last year.


Another great day at Sea & Shore.

Kayak dive anchor Rock

Kayal Dive #4
Anchor Rock from LJShores
Descent time; 0940
bottom time 37 mins
Max depth 71
Vis 20

I met up with new kayak dive buddies today - Gus and his son Brian. 

We met at the Avenida De La Playa boat launch at 0800.  Set up the kayaks and paddled out to the dive site.  While still at the shore we observed that the Pelicans were diving for fish near shore and there was a harbor seal playing in the  practically non-existent surf.

Started off a gray day but that is good.  Cool for paddling. On the way out we observed the large pod of Dolphins I have been seeing lately.  (I am going to imagine they are the same ones I have been seeing.) We met  up with a returning kayak fisherman who had landed a two foot Humbolt Squid.  We hope to see one. We anchored our kayaks and got in our gear.

The surface water is a nice watery chocolate brown from the Red Tide. So the descent was dark with no visibility. About 30 feet you could feel the thermocline and the water temp dropped to about 55.  Then the vis opened up to about 20 feet. 

We explored all around Anchor Rock. All regular reef inhabitants.  I saw at least one yellow Treefish. Upon ducking under the water we could hear the Dolphins pinging their sonar.  They must have been all around us. But they rarely come close to scuba divers.  They were probably just out of visibility, just like the White Sharks.  Anyway, we had a great dive on the Rock and in the adjacent kelp bed. 

A nice relaxing paddle back to a shore discussing the dive and possible future dives.  After loading up the kayaks and dive gear off for some shrimp burritos at El Charro.  Sun was starting to peak through the marine layer for a nice meal in the sun watching the tourist kayakers walking down to the beach.

Paddle to Ruby E and HMCS Yukon dive sites

This morning I launched my kayak from Mission Bay and proceeded out the channel to open ocean.  Gray and overcast with a nice breeze keeping it cool.  I had not decided where I would go at first.  Point Loma kelp bed or Wreck Alley.  My hope was to see some blue whales.  I am not sure if I can get out far enough in my kayak to see them.  But one report from a local weatherman said he spotted some from Torrey Pines.  This suggests that is is possible.  And I have seen gray whales in close to shore.

Exiting the Channel I spotted some dive boats out at the Ruby E. So I decided to head there.  A little wind chop but the swell was small.  At the Ruby E I stopped and chatted with the divers there.  They then set off for a second dive at Point Loma kelp beds. 

I could see some boats out at The Yukon.  So I paddled there.  Once there I chatted with the divers there.  Was told the Yukon is now completely over on its Port side. I don't know when that happened.  I could be a while ago.  I have not dived there for quite some time.

After this break I headed back to Mission Bay. No whales or even dolphins this day. But a nice paddle

Dolphins

On August 8th and 9th I went paddling out to the Far Kelp bed northwest of The Children's Pool in La Jolla. There had been some reports of Blue Whales not too far from there. I was hoping to see them. I did not. But while out there on both days I got right in the middle of a large (60 plus) pod of Dolphins. They may have been Common Dolphin but I am not sure. Here are a couple of pictures.

Moody Blues

May 22, 2011


Sunday evening I packed up the kayak and headed down to Huphrey's By The Bay for the Moody Blues concert. A quick paddle from Bessemer Street to Humphrey's to settle back with all the other boats for the concert.
It was supposed to drizzle some. But, except for about ten minutes just before the concert started it stayed dry.
They played all their hits and some less known (by us casual fans) deeper tracks. Most recognizable songs performed were; The Story in Your Eyes, In Your Wildest Dreams, Tuesday Afternoon, Nights In White Satin, The Other Side of Life, and Higher and Higher, to name a few.

Once upon a time,
Once when you were mine,
I remember skies,
reflected in your eyes.
I wonder where you are
I wonder if you think about me.
Once upon a time in your Wildest Dreams.

Surf's up

I packed my dive gear and headed for La Jolla Cove. There was a large swell coming in from the west. Swell was breaking on the outside reef of Boomer and breaking in the Cove as well. So I went to La Jolla Shores to check conditions there. North of the Lifeguard tower surf was shoulder to head high, and the surfers were out in force. A few of my buddies and I watched a class try to get out in the surf. After fifteen minutes or so most of them had not made it out of the surf zone. And a few were pushed back into the beach. So they decided to go to breakfast. I went back home and exchanged my dive gear for my kayak.

I went down to Bahia Point in Mission Bay. I launched my kayak and headed north. I decided I would see how much of the Bay I could circumnavigate. First I went around Bahia Point into Santa Barbara Cove. Then out around El Carmel Point. Back hugging the shore into San Juan Cove. Turning east, with the wind at my back I passed the Catamaran Resort. Passed Riviera Shores, through Fisherman's Channel and under the Ingraham Street bridge. Then I headed back north again past Crown Point Shores. I skirted the edge of the wildlife preserve to Campland By The Bay. I then took a short paddle up Rose Creek Inlet, between Mission Bay High School and Mission Bay Park. I went until the rock weir at Grand Avenue. Turning about I headed back to De Anza Point. On the way there I spotted a Blue Heron fishing along the shore. His head feathers were nearly purple.

Mid way along De Anza Point I made a mad dash across the channel between it and Fiesta Island. Need to avoid the ski boats and Jet Skis. I timed it right when traffic was clear. Then I ran down the west shore of Fiesta Island. I stopped for a ten to fifteen minute break on Fiesta Island. That was two hours into my paddle.

When I got to Stony Point on Fiesta Island I headed across Perez Cove under the south portion of the Ingraham Street bridge. I followed the bridge over to the south shore of Vacation Isle. Then back across to Ventura Cove and Bahia Point.

A total of about nine miles, in just under three hours. Sometimes the wind was at my back sometimes I was headed into the wind. The wind picked up when I was crossing in front of Fiesta island. And it was producing some decent size wind waves, directly from my starboard beam, causing wind spray over my gunnel.

A satisfying paddle on a beautiful, sunny San Diego day.

Spring Break

After a few months off I got back on the water today. A nice sunny and warm Spring morning. A little bit of wind chop from the west, nothing to extreme. Just nice to get back on the sea. Out to the far kelp bed. Then north to the outer ecological preserve marker buoy. Traveled in to Scripps Pier. Then south along the coast to the boat launch. Half a dozen sea lions rafting outside, plenty of seaguls, terns and pelicans enjoying the schools of bait fish.

Whale Watching Season

I went out kayaking to the outer kelp bed off the Children's Pool in La Jolla, It is getting to be Whale Watching Season. First thing, right in the surf was a small pod of dolphins. They had swum off by the time I had gotten through the non-existent surf. So I paddled on out to the Far Kelp Bed. That was Thursday, January 6 Spent some time waiting for the sight of any whales. None today. A lot of Sea Lions in a raft (that is a group of sea lions). And some swimming alone.

On my way back to shore I met up with a guided group. The Guide said that they had seen five gray whales on Sunday. So although I saw none today. I will keep checking as often as I can.

Day on Lake Pacifica

I know it has been some time since I posted to my kayk blog. But that does not mean I have not been out. Recently I went camping and kayaking with a fun group of people out to Lake Moreno. And just yesterday my friend Cindy and I went kayaking at La Jolla in Lake Pacifica.

Here are some pics from the day.

The Caves Area

The Slot

A nice paddle out to the kelp bed off Children's Pool

Kelp Fried Egg Jelly Fish.

Probably about 10 feet below the surfac

e. Seal In the Kelp.

Thanks to Cindy McVey for all the photos,

Concerts on the Bay

August 6th 2010

This is something else I like to do on my kayak. Humphrey's has Concerts by the Bay. Many boaters and kayakers motor over in whatever small craft they can find. Some come in small ski crafts or fishing boats. Some motor over in dingies or zodiacs. And some come in kayaks, canoes and even small inflatables. What ever they come in it is sure to be a fun party.

This evening Ringo Starr and his All Star Band were playing. Featured in this band besides Ringo are Edgar Winter (Frankenstein), Gary Wright (Dreamweaver), Rick Derringer (Hang on Sloopy) and others.

I packed up all my kayak gear, picked up some KFC and some Samuel Adams, and headed down to Bessemer and Scott Street to launch my kayak. I got down there about 6:15 PM and set up to go. The concert started at 8 pm. I paddled over and found a great place. I was right up front and could see the stage fairly well.

I think I was about 100 feet from the stage.

In just a short time I would be surrounded by many boaters and kayakers. Boaters coming to the concert are the friendliest group of strangers you will ever meet. I was right next to a family having a reunion in their small zodiac. Three of their teenage boys were up front a bit. One of them is a huge Edgar Winter fan.

Notice the girl to the right of the pic with long black hair.

(more later)

Ringo Starr and everyone came out on stage and after a brief intro and a shout out to all us freeloaders (which got a big cheer) the music got started. Ringo played quite a few of his more popular song including Yellow Submarine, With a Little Help From My Friends, and More. That's Ringo center stage. Forgive the poor quality. It is hard to get a decent pic in the dark on a rockin' & rollin' kayak.

Then Edgar Winter did Frankenstein.

The white blur in front of the drum kit is Edgar Winter.

Rick Derringer did Hang on Sloopy, and Gary Wright did Dreamweaver. Ringo did some other songs including a new original from his latest album. I can't recall the title.

There was some entertainment in the crowd also. One very big Ringo fan was sitting next to the girl with very long black hair in front of my group. (Yes, by the beginning of the concert they had become "my group". The family having their reunion said I was now part of their family.)

He kept yelling out "Ringo, Ringo" and flicking his Bic lighter. Soon he turned to a flashlight and was using that to express his enthusiasm for the show. During one point I noticed a little commotion coming from that group. I asked my neighbor what happened. He told me that the guy dropped his flashlight in the water. It was still visible on the bottom.

My comment at this was; "that is not the only thing that will likely end up overboard." And sure enough it was not long until there was a big splash and some sputtering followed by a ripple of laughter as well as waves as the Ringo Starr fan rolled his kayak. Everyone was encouraging him to retrieve his light. I think he must not be a free diver. He never got it.

Anyway, It was a good concert. and I look forward to going to a few more this summer before I return to my regular work schedule at the beginning of school.

Seattle Paddle

I drove up to Vallejo for my nephews High School graduation. Then I took my Subaru on a long shake-down cruise to Portland and Seattle. Visited my dive buddy, Scott, in Portland. Then up to Seattle too revisit all my old Coast Guard haunts.

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Went to Alki beach and took a tour of Eliot Bay and the Coast Guard Lighthouse on a Necky sit-in kayak. While waiting for my tour I met with three divers getting ready to dive the in Eliot Bay. They were all in dry suits. But after a brief discussion with them I determined it would not be too uncomfortable to dive in a wetsuit. The temperature of the water was about 50. I have dived in waters of that temp in San Diego and in the New Zealand winter on the South Island. I was told that you can encounter the Giant Octopus right in Eliot Bay.

This is my guide, Scott, from Alki Kayak Tours at Alki Beach. My yellow Necky kayak. In the background is Queen Anne Hill just to the North of Downtown Seattle. Only my second time in a kayak with a rudder. I picked it up quickly.


Check out Alki Kayak Tours page http://www.kayakalki.com/

Me with the Space Needle rising above the city. From the launch we went west past Alki (originally maned New York by the Settlers) then changed to its Indian name. There is actually a small replica of the Statue of Liberty near the shore.

The bow of my kayak points toward the Seattle skyline and some ominous clouds. As the day went on it would lighten some and the sun break through. I actually had to take off my jacket a little later.

Our goal and turn-around point the Coast Guard Lighthouse at Alki Point.