Somehow, we ended up with more than seventeen. We counted them twice after launching, so we must have had a latebird. We had fifteen sea kayaks and one tandem sit on top.
On the way out, we initially had a cold northeast wind, which tended to blow us out to sea. Some folks went inshore for the scenery and some took the offshore direct route. Jack, Don and others played in the rocks on the way out, jeopardizing their fine fiberglass steeds. Their superior skills inoculated them from any possible harm. Jack miraculously walked away from a 75MPH rollover in his truck on I-5 on the way to Tamarack Beach last week, so this was no big deal for him.
About halfway out, we took a break and noted that the wind had lessened and switched 180 degrees into a headwind, but it would blow us back home on the return trip.
We were enjoying the scenery and chatting amiably, so the time passed quickly. We arrived at our interim destination, Smuggler's cove, well before 11:00 AM, under sunny skies and balmy weather.
We landed without incident at Smugglers, between occasional dumpers, stretched, and talked for a bit, before someone asked if we were hungry. People immediately gravitated back to their boats and launched within a few minutes, by 1120 AM, to head for the main attraction back at Cabrillo.
On the way back, some of us played in the caves and paddled among the rocks. Jack and Don paddled through breaking waves, over shelves and through narrow, turbulent passages, leading some others, like salt-encrusted Pied Pipers. Most others took the express route straight home. Our paths intersected at a few scenic points.
Fishing boats plied their trade among us, tending to fishtraps marked by colorful buoys along our route. A few sea lions spied on us, looking like fat U-Boat periscopes with whiskers.
Rob and Eileen's sit on top wasn't quite as fast as the sea kayaks, but they made pretty good time-- faster, actually than the three knot advertised paddle speed. They also left a little early from breaks to get head starts. We started landing back at Cabrillo at about 1250 something. My GPS said that the 5.55 NM shore route took 1:39:57, at a 3.3 knot average speed, even with all the stops. The whole group was in plain sight at that point, so no one was more than a few minutes off that time.
Virtually all had their boats back in the parking lot not long after 1PM and were shortly ready to feast. Duane and Steve set up tables in the parking lot, right behind the seawall and participants piled them high with turkey, cranberries, stuffing, salami, cheese, various salads, deviled eggs, potato chips, bread, olives, pumpkin pie, plum pie, cookies, wine, lemonade, soda, etc. etc. It was a hungry group that descended upon the feast like locusts. But try as they might, they were unable to consume the seemingly limitless bounty. Jack Brisley, a 10 year unofficial CKF member, was finally swayed to cough up membership funds to new membership chairman Mike "Sticky Fingers" Condit. As usual, we talked of various kayaking exploits and disasters, which seem to grow more glorious-- or ignominious-- with the years. We were all thankful for surviving another year, enjoying life and kayaking with good friends. All too soon, it was time to depart for home. Hope to see you all for the Sixth Annual event, next year!
Regards,
Steve Brown/George
Miller
Directions:
Picture
of Cabrillo Beach
Take 101, 10, 405 or PCH (1), to 110 South (Harbor Freeway), all the way to the end.
Exit left on Gaffey, South to 22nd Street, left (East) to Pacific,
right (South) to 36th Street (AKA Stephen M. White Drive), left (East) and follow signs to Cabrillo Beach.
Pay admission--Car fee was $7.00 as of 13 July 2003. Proceed into park, staying to the right and going around the buildings. You will proceed on a causeway, with the bay on the left and the ocean on the right.
For ocean launch, park in a lot, on the right, past the lifeguard office. For bay launch, stay left when you enter the park, then park in the big lot, where you can see the bay to your right.