Trip #7: Sausalito w/ the Nancke-Kroghs

For the first time ever we used both of my kayaks on one trip.
I went with the Nancke-Kroghs (Anders and Nina), two of my best friends in San Francisco.
The weather was perfect; sunny with little wind, although there was fog over SF.
We first went along the Sausalito shore and then crossed to the other side of the bay to the Tiburon side.
There in front of some gigantic houses we had a picnic sitting in our kayaks of another great meal created by Nina.
We then kayaked back as the wind started to pick up.

Trip #6: Half Moon Bay

I went down to Half Moon Bay as it is one of the places with a kayaking school and is recommended on a number of kayaking sites. I was a bit disappointed. There was just the harbor which is big enough that you cannot easily make a trip outside of it. There was a fair bit of wildlife, especially pelicans and harbor seals. I did a quick round trip in less than an hour.

Trip #5: Sausalito

Did a short kayak today from the Sea Trek beach past the town of Sausalito and back.
For the second time I had a harbor seal follow me. Unfortunately, I could not get a photo of it as it was just following in my wake and came up every few minutes for air.
Beautiful day but a lot of wind.

Trip #4: Alcatraz

Aquatic Park - around Alcatraz Island - Aquatic Park
Perfect weather and currents today; almost no wind, mild currents, and beautiful but not harsh sun.
I paddled clockwise around the island. This turned out not to be the best direction. The currents were strong and in the opposite direction on the east side of the island. I just made it around as another ferry came to dock.

Trip #3: Tomales Bay

Today I drove about 1.5 hours north of S.F. to a beautiful area called Tomales Bay. It is the bay in between the mainland and Point Reyes Penninsula. The bay itself was formed by and lies directly over the San Andreas Fault.
I drove to an area called Nicks Cove, parked my jeep and launched from there. From the east side I went out to an island in the middle, crossed to the other side, and returned for a round trip of about an hour and ten minutes. There were plenty of loons and some duck which may beautiful cooing sounds when I came close. I saw one sea lion. On my way back I met a father and son on the father's 20-year-old Keppler. (Never liked the design but they do last long.) They were lucky enough to catch a small whale's tale. It is said that there are plenty of dolphins and bat rays in this bay. Definitely worth another trip.

Trip #2

Today was also a relatively short trip. I simple paddled from Chrissy Fields to Acquatic Park and back.
The weather was perfect and the beach was not that crowded since it was a weekday morning.
I tried to used the rudder this time but I could not seem to get the pedals to dis-engage. Will have to do it on at home first.
Although it took me only 16 minutes out, the flood current and the wind were against me going back, forcing me to take 44 minutes to return.

Yojo Kayaking Commences

Three years ago when I left Nokia to start up my first venture, I promised myself when I launch I will buy a new single-person kayak. Who would have thought that it would be so long before I launched... but I have. A very different venture from my first one, but I have launched it. See link.
The kayak I bought is a Folbot Cooper. It is the same color and almost the same length as the 2-person kayak I purchased from the same company. The construction, however, is very different. This one is so much better in design.



The first trip I took with it was a short 40-50 minute paddle from Aquatic Park to just past Pier 39. Assembling the kayak took only 30 minutes minus the rudder which I thought not necessary for such a short trip. Overall it felt quite good. Unfortunately, there is no place to wash it off so I'll have to do that next time.