[CKF Info] A (Not so) usual Tuesday

[dennis]

A (Not-so) Usual Tuesday Night.
Trip Repot: San Diego Bay, May 13, 2008
By Dennis Hyndman

With a busy workday scheduled for Wednesday, I decided to join the "Wankers"
and launch from the Coronado Ferry Landing in order to make for an early
evening.  The fluffy cloud cover in the evening sun made it obvious that the
fabled winds which always blow in the face of those leaving Coronado would
greet me this evening.

I was able to get  to the launch point just in time to see a well seasoned
Heron start paddling on the treadmill into winds that were trying to throw
whitecaps in his face.  Without seeing others ready to launch, I quickly
dropped my boat in the water and gave chase into a stiff flood tide and
breezy conditions.  In (not so) usual fashion, I did a solo paddle to
Shelter Island with one paddler a mile ahead of me and nobody in sight
behind.  A quick pace would be necessary to beat the Cruise Ship down the
channel.  It was a personal race to beat the huge ship as it backed out of
the City Skyline and steamed down the channel at its usual 5:30 departure.  

A number of familiar kayaks lined the beach as I landed and caught up with
friends and met a new (to me) member of the flock.  As the cruise ship
started to throttle up rounding Ballast Point, another few "Wankers" could
be seen waiting for their turn in the channel and the opportunity to use the
Cruise Liner for a ride on the "set wake" to the sand.

After a round of smiles, a dozen experienced paddlers left the beach as
dictated by the Night Herons only rule "We leave Shelter Island at 6:00."
The wind began to wane as the flock was swept Downtown by the remaining
flood through the usual sailboat regatta.  Beating the ferry to the Midway,
only a portion of the group felt compelled to play "limbo" under the wharfs
as the tide peaked and the current began to slack.

The sight of the Banana Boat being lined up by tugs at our usual crossing
point made for a quick decision to race across the channel rather than wait
around since the group was fairly tight at that point.  With an extra long
blast of the Horn, the Dole cargo ship put petal to the metal and motivated
us to cross the channel at 5 knots in order to see its port side as we
landed on Coronado and I quickly racked the boat.

Sharing food, drink and stories; photos were passed around from the latest
expedition to Baja.  Seeing photos of Rooster Fish being roasted on a fire
south of Loreto, made me envious of my fellow Herons who had just returned
from a couple of weeks living out of their kayaks.  I was also able to get
tidbits of information regarding paddling to Catalina, from someone who had
done it with Ed Guillet. 

Getting ready for the most dangerous part of the evening, I said farewell to
those leaving for Shelter Island and those staying on Coronado and started
my drive north. As the sun painted the bay and city a glowing pink while
crossing the bridge, I reflected on how the upcoming paddle had pushed me to
get out again rather than "blow it off" due to work commitments.  I had put
7 NM under my hull at 4 knots and felt great.  My only regret was that I was
not able to share a beer with my paddling partners as I popped one at home
about the same time as others were being popped in San Diego.

The paddle had that usual Tuesday feeling, but was not that usual.  I was
disappointed at not being able to join the Orange County Crew on Wednesday
night, but felt I got my exercise for the week and made plans to
circumnavigate the bay again on Saturday.

I invite anyone interested in a consistent fast paced paddle to join us.

Dennis

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