A light rain was falling on the beach at Alamitos Bay as we decorated our boats. It made our tape a little tricky to work with. But we managed to attach tiny trees, twinkle lights, garlands, stuffed toys, etc. By the time we made for the staging area the rain was easing up and the wind was mild. It was turning out to be a lovely night paddle.
The parade started right on time! And fewer boats participating made for a faster ride with none of the slinky effect of past years. The lighter crowds on shore were enthusiastic and loud, especially calling for our gals to toss them candy from their hidden stashes. Only their calls for us to "roll 'em" went unheeded (where were you guys?) We encountered gondoliers, barges full of city workers, a rock and roll dancer, a fire breathing dragon, and lots of beautifully decorated boats.
Thanks to all who weathered the storm to participate. See you next year.
Donna Holtz
Travel Directions:
Heading south on the 405 exit at Studebaker Road toward the south...
OR
From the 605 south, exit at 7th St., stay in right lane, follow sign to Studebaker, turn left at the light onto Studebaker
OR
Heading north on the 405, exit at the 22 west (7th St.), get in the right lane, follow sign to Studebaker, turn left at the light onto Studebaker
THEN...
Studebaker south until it ends at a "T", turn right onto Westminster. Continue across Pacific Coast Highway. The road name changes to 2nd Street. Pass over two bridges (one tall, one lower) and turn left onto Bayshore. Take the left side at the "Y", then left onto Ocean Blvd. The launch place will be on your left just past the hockey rink and gondola building on the left.
The dire warnings from our local weather forecasters no doubt drove many kayakers indoors. What a shame!
We had 5 single kayaks and one double, all but one, mine, brightly festooned with holiday lights. The ladies wore Santa hats and Miranda even had a lighted tiara. Light sticks attached to our paddles were the order of the night.
There were two parades, one for the large vessels going clockwise and the other for smaller craft, as ourselves, going counter clockwise.
The counter group veered off and started through the Venice canals, quite slowly. The crowds along the canal and on the overhead bridges were two and three deep. They waved and shouted their greetings. Young boys pleaded for candy to be thrown to them, others yelled for us to show our bottoms -- by rolling, of course -- and older folk looked on with envy as we glided by.
What captured me was the true feeling of the Christmas spirit. The little girls and boys with their parents, waving at us and yelling "Merry Christmas" and the warm and innocent smiles on their faces as we waved back at them and responded in kind.
It was a brisk and clear night and the stars actually shone in the heavens. Looking up into the starry sky did I really see a shadowy Santa in a tandem Feathercraft - well they are 34" wide -- being pulled by reindeer?
I wish to thank Donna and "Chile" Holtz for hosting this spiritual paddle. All that was missing was the rum toddy and the hot apple cider, then again, I had over an hour drive back to Northridge. Perchance we can work this out next year? It was a great paddle.
And as someone once said....no doubt paddling along...
a Merry Christmas to all -- and to all a good night.
Len