Monthly Archive for February, 2011

Laguna – Feb. 27, 2011

Published on February 28, 2011 in 2011 Trips. 0 Comments

I think there were 8 of us who showed up @ 10:00 for a LBB (laid back bunch) paddle on the Laguna, posted by Larry S. It was the perfect number, as we filled the little parking turnout. It was nice to meet Flo & Joaquin who I almost feel I know from their posts here, but had never paddled with them. The weather was clear & warm and the water was a nice manure color. We straggled toward town until blocked by brush & flow, then back under the bridge until blocked by Ludwigia within 1/4 mi of the bridge. We were unable to find a way through to the big “lake” and thus on to the north. I was eqippted with saw & lopers, but needed a machete on my bow.

We were off the water by about 12:30, without sharing food, so I’m not sure if this qualifies as a PP paddle if that is defined as an eating club with a paddling disorder.

There is a definite need for more LBB paddles for those who are scared off by the A team in their kevlar sea kayaks.

Tofu Larry

Estero Americano – Feb. 27, 2011

Published on February 28, 2011 in 2011 Trips. 0 Comments

Well, ten PPers showed up on a chilly clear morning. There was a bit of current (ebb) and we paddled in it basically all day. The trip to the mouth was pretty darn fast and we had a little trouble finding the channel because the water was murky and we couldn’t see the channel.

We got to the beach and it was then I remembered that I forgot to bring the grill. In true PPer style Bill and Geno grabbed that old crab trap that’s been there for a few years and used it for the purpose. Lunch was fabulous with meatloaf and spaghetti and sausages and chicken salad and Allan brought hard boiled eggs that were terrific.

After lunch, some hiked some snoozed and some chatted. The temp was very  pleasant, basically shirtsleeve, and the breeze was tiny. We hauled our stuff back to the boats and noticed the water had dropped and it was still ebbing.  Most of the way back we were doing 3.5 mph so we were fighting a 1mph ebb. We watched a couple of WT Kites chasing crows away from a tree we think they had a nest in.

Back at the launch the water had dropped maybe a little over a foot. The ocean had dropped about four feet in the same time. The distance was a little over 11 miles. We packed up and debriefed and headed home for Nascar and the Academy Awards.

Ray

Cassini’s – Feb 6, 2011

Published on February 8, 2011 in 2010 Trips. 0 Comments

Well, 20 PPers showed up at Cassini’s on a beautiful, sunny morning. We could see that the current was pretty strong but not too bad as we got our boats ready for the big adventure. Most of us got in the water and just drifted along waiting for the slowbies to get their stuff ready. We were almost to the bridge by the time the beauty sleepers got in the water.

The paddle downstream was nice and easy and we saw lots of birds. C. Merganzers, GB Herons, BCNHs, a Green Heron, C.Goldeneyes, Ospreys and right before the Hiway 1 bridge a Bald Eagle sitting on a snag out in the river with two Harbor Seals on rocks nearby.

We paddled past the bridge and Joe and I looked at the mysterious lumber pile in the water. He thinks a barge or schooner must have capsized or sunk back in the day to leave the wood the way we see it today. We had paddled about six miles by now and decided it was time for lunch. We headed back upstream to our favorite lunch beach right across from the Willow Creek Campground.

We spread out our food on two blankets and proceeded to chow down. The food was amazing and we had fun sitting in the warm sun, chatting away. Nobody was in a big rush to leave so we stayed there quite a while enjoying the day.

Gradually people started started climbing back into their boats for the paddle back up the river. The current was very weak in the big wide areas but from the Duncan’s Mills Bridge to Cassini’s you had to work pretty hard. There were several fly-fishermen wading in the water at Cassini’s as we paddled to the launch.

While we were debriefing, Liz brought out a couple of her oxygen pillows and ’splained them to a few of us. Barb and I each got one and I must say the darn thing seems to work. The temp had to be 80 or so and nobody seemed to be in a big rush to leave to see a football game.

Ray