San Pablo Bay at China Camp

January 12, 2013
I am really loving winter paddling. It is a quiet time of year with very little activity at the parks and put ins we travel to. Coastal bays and inlets that can be very windy in Summer are usually calm and EMPTY in winter. It makes for a great time to get out on the water. Ten members of my paddling club, Sacramento Paddle Pushers, headed out in brrrr weather to enjoy a calm beautiful day on the bay. We put in at McNears Beach and headed North up the coast. We went past Rat Rock and a couple of interesting man made contraptions that we assume to be some kind of duck blind. We headed down Gallinas Creek and next to the Santa Venetia marsh until we could find a landing spot. Marshy and muddy was our spot next to a golf course, but it had picnic tables and benches for our lunch.

The bay was calm and clear with just a slightly brisk breeze on the way back. Paddling in 40- 50 degree weather on a bright sunny day is a joy as long as you are dressed for it. I kept warm and toasty using my cold weather gear.

Paddling on...

New Year - and my new theme is, Gotta get up and try, try, try

I got to spend the first day of this new year on the water at my favorite home town water playground, Lake Natoma. Several of my paddling group friends braved the cold and joined me. We put in at Willow Creek, paddled through the sloughs and headed up to the Folsom Prison cable. The current was just right, strong enough to give us a challenge, but not so bad as to make us give up!

I am finding my new years theme in a Pink song. Gotta get out there and try, try try! That's my plan this year. Keep trying, something new, something old...just keep on trying.

My goal for this year is balance.

Spirit
Family
Health
Work life
Community
Joy

So for my new years inspiration I am going to add a couple of my favorite photos from the last year.

May the New Year bring us all Joy!

Keep on paddling

Ending the Year

December 30, 2012 Lake Natoma, Folsom

It was 38 degrees when we launched Sunday morning at 9 am. Even with the frost we had a good turnout of hardy paddlers. I was testing my cold weather gear as I am determined to get on the water as much as possible this winter. I managed to stay pretty warm. A couple of us took the challenge to battle the current and make it to the cable. After a quick float back we headed through the sloughs and then caught up with the rest of the pack down at Willow Creek.

paddling on..brrrr