Friday, April 27, 2007

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.

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

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.