Circumnavigation of Coronado
Dublin Dave, Doug Cheney (I hope I spelled it right) and I met this morning at about 0830 at the public boat launch at Shelter Island. It was already getting warm and muggy and we were in a lazy mode. At 0920 we were all launched and heading out toward the harbor mouth. The submarine pens are now guarded by huge floats and we thought we would see how close we could come before being warned off. We came right to the floats and we could see the nuclear sub in the sub pen and no security.

We headed across the harbor mouth, popped through a small hole in the sea wall and aimed toward the Hotel Del. The water was a little choppy here which gave it a little bit of fun. Just outside the surf zone landing we ran into 3 dolphins feeding. Amazing that the swimmers were totally unaware of these great mammals' presence.

Our landing was almost uneventful. We timed the sets but, as usual, a large breaker out of sequence came up behind Doug and I was we headed in. Doug was behind me waiting for me to land when I heard Dave yell. I turned to see the swell come up and break. I was able to ride it out with a little brace and land. When I exited my boat I saw Doug pushing his boat in through the surf. Dave landed without problem and Doug was unharmed.

We carried the boats across the isthmus and launced into the harbor continuing to the ferry landing area where we landed for a little refreshment. En route we were treated to an flyover of 3 fighter planes: An F16, a Korean War F86 Sabre and and WWII carrier based prop plane.

The fast food stand we ordered from was anything but fast and we spent more time than planned. I think we were on the beach close to an hour.

We launched again and headed toward the WWII air craft carrier across the channel. Once there Dave and I executed a couple of show off rolls in front of the adjacent restaurant to the absolute boredom of all the diners.

Our crossing of the main channel to Shelter Island was uneventful except for having to dodge the numerous sail boats and jet skis.

As we approached the beach we heard some cries of help from between some moored boats. Coming around the boats we found two young females; one of which was wearing a PFD and the other swimming toward the other who held her PFD. She asked that we rescue her inflatable vinyl pool toy.

Dave did a dramatic rescue of the errent inflatable toy with his tow rope while I talked to the girls about about crying help when they were not in any real danger. We escorted them to shore. Dave did a couple of paddle float entries before we landed, cleaned up and headed home.

    Mike Brown

Directions:
Exit interstate 5 at Rosecrans Street and proceed south about two and three-quarters miles to Shelter Island Drive (Byron Street). Turn left and follow the signs to Shelter Island public launching ramp at the Northeast end of the Island.

Submitted on July 18, 2004