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.