Half Moon Bay in an RV - Hot to Cold, back to Hot

Friday August 10 - Folsom, CA - We left Folsom at 100 degrees and within 2.5 hours made it to the coast and 60 degrees.  What a shock to the system!  But boy, I am a new fan of RVing.  We took my friends brand new 35 foot luxury house on wheels to a primo spot on the coast overlooking the ocean.  We lucked out and grabbed the last ocean front RV spot. 

We could not figure out an easy way to attach the yaks, so no paddling this weekend unless we decided to rent.  As we hiked the shoreline we did see the Half Moon Bay Kayak rental right on the water but decided we could live without paddling for one weekend.  We saw a couple of paddlers braving the cool foggy weather..with flat, calm harbor water.  Even outside the breakwater the ocean was pretty calm close to shore...several paddlers out there having a nice mellow day.

The sun did come out, a little, early afternoon on Saturday and the local beach filled with families and surfers.  We bundled up and sat in our chairs having a picnic.

Pilar Point is a beautiful harbor with several different edge water breaks that kept the large harbor mellow and flat. I look forward to kayaking there in the next couple of months.  

We had a great breakfast at Ketch Joanne Restaurant and Bar and then walked around the town checking out some local art stores like "Nasturtium Art of Living" where we bought a few souvenirs.

My favorite time was just spent watching the flocks of Pelicans diving over and over into the ocean to catch their lunch.   They put on quite a show. 

As I head out into my local 105 heat wave I will be thinking of my cooler weekend at the coast.

Ocean Respect - March 10, Monterey Bay

Nothing compares with paddling in the ocean. Paddling in Monterey Bay, just you, a plastic boat and a paddle...so empowering, life affirming...freakin amazing!!

Our paddling group of 22 headed over to the coast for a Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough weekend.  The weather gods were kind to us with mild 50's weather and peaks of sunshine.

This was only my second time doing a surf entry and exit.  What fun.  Catch the wave...paddle like hell, get beyond the break.  I got wet crashing through the surf but I had the right gear and stayed warm and dry the whole trip.  Landing through the surf was even more fun...ride it in...get up and out fast. (need to practice that get up fast part!)

We launched at the municipal beach and headed up the coast with the goal of landing at Lovers Point.  As we rounded the point just past the Aquarium big water hit.  The sea got angry and the swells got bigger.  We knew landing through the rougher surf at Lovers Point would likely toss a few of us in the drink.  So we opted to head back out to slightly calmer waters.

I got a big kick out of being the one out in the water looking back at the folks lining the outside walkways at Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I remembered the time years ago standing there, eyeing some kayakers and wishing I was out on the water with them...and now I am!...WHOHOOO.

We headed back in around the docks and found a small beach area for lunch.  It also afforded a great view of a dock full of seals lazing, playing and swimming.

Sunday we hit Elkhorn Slough.  There were about 4 times the number of seals crowding the dock there.  These guys gave us a great show jumping and diving all around us.  The Slough had otters and pelicans in addition to all the seals....and pretty flat water. 

Paddling On....