Google recently put its Street View cameras on a raft and, with the help of American Rivers, took it down the Colorado River. Today, it made the images from this expedition available in Google Maps. While looking at the images doesn’t quite match the thrill of a real whitewater rafting trip, the imagery definitely does the river justice.
Eight of us went looking for the very elusive Green Turtles yesterday, but they were not to be found. It is safe to say, after several paddles in the south bay looking for them, that they are harder to see than the grey whales.
Some special people showed up for this paddle: It was good to see Stan Rohrer doing great.
It was Mary Collier’s first paddle with us, and the first time in her new boat (5th photo). And the last photo was taken by Heather Larson (from Denver) a few years ago, who also joined us yesterday. She said that was the last time she has been able to photo the turtles.
Besides having a relaxed morning, we got to see up close the Dorado Discovery research vessel that some of you may have seen on the Discovery or Nat Geo TV series. Very cool. The photo of some of us on the dock is at Bob’s house in the Cays.
It’s back! Jen Kleck just announced the dates for Baja Kayak Fest! They are offering two separate 3-day weekends so that we may keep groups small and still accommodate everyone who wants to attend!
This is a rough water event for experienced sea kayakers. You don’t have to be a super star, but you should be comfortable paddling 10-15 miles in a day and are well-practiced at capsize recovery techniques. You should be comfortable in small surf and bumpy water. Our location is a rocky peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean and provides the perfect playground for kayakers! We will offer day trips for pure fun and rock-garden play, as well as skills development courses. Top coaches from the Pacific coast will mentor groups of 4-6 paddlers at a time!
More information at: http://www.bajakayakfest.com/
This Saturday morning Diane (Night Heron) and Teresa Boli are going to launch/leave at 9:00 a.m. from Chula Vista boat ramp off of J Street/Marina Pkwy. They plan on doing a round trip up to the Ferry landing and back. This will be a medium paced paddle with very benign conditions. The distance is about 6 miles each way.
They are doing this trip because it is on Teresa’s bucket list – “I have lived here for almost three decades and have never paddled all the way up the bay!” They plan on eating lunch at the Galley cafe at the Marina after the paddle.
Please join them if you want – no need to RSVP.
The tradition of starting the year off with a coastal paddle continues.
January 1, 2014
La Jolla Shores Boat Ramp
8:30 am rally; launch about 9:00
Join us for a leisurely paddle up the coast with no particular destination.
Paddlers are responsible for their own safety.