It has been a long time since I've done a solo ocean paddle, and I thought I
would be doing one today. However yesterday, both George Miller and Chris
Wood came through so I only did a short solo paddle today and a longer one
with company.

We met at Kiddie Beach at Peter O's suggestion because he was saying
something about a Confederate Army unit having set up cannons on Hobie
Beach. I wasn't quite certain what that was all about, but the three of us
decided to launch from Kiddie and spend a little time exploring the tall
ships that are in port before we headed out to see the beachfront house that
George has rented for a month.

We paddled over to Kiddie Beach first and saw that there were quite a few
artillery pieces set up facing out to shoot at any passing ships. As we
approached, we heard, "Prepare to repel boarders" and somebody actually
fired a black powder rifle at us. We chatted with the man and a woman on
shore for a while. We were intrigued by their weapons, and they were
intrigued as to why Chris and I had skinny little paddles while George had
big blades on his.

Then it was off to see the tall ships and they were really impressive.
Finally we were at the end of the harbor and it was time to turn back. We
paddled back, passed Kiddie Beach and continued out to the ocean. There was
some good size surf coming in and the larger swells felt good after the flat
water of the harbor. George said, his new place was only about a mile to a
mile and a half down the beach. Well we got to the end of the first group of
houses and we didn't see it.

There were a couple of dolphin that we saw though. They were right in front
of us and leaving us behind. Finally after a little over two miles, I said
that I was running short on time and that I was going to turn back. Chris
and George continued and I headed back. I had just enough time to get back
and grab a quick sandwich before I was needed at home.

All of a sudden it was just me, my boat and the ocean---and then I was soon
joined by a dolphin who swam right alongside of me for quite a while. After
he left, I stopped for a minute to just enjoy the ocean ( and pump out the
internal bilges) and then it was back to paddling back to the beach.

I landed, cleaned my boat, grabbed a sandwich, and headed home. George or
Chris will have to finish this report for me.

Steve Holtzman

George Miller adds:

This is a continuation of the Tall Ships and Miller Beach house paddle....

We had dolphins escorting us several times as we paddled up the coast. My
mile and a half from the breakwater estimate turned out to be about 1 3/4 miles.
The house looked a lot different from the ocean side, so we passed right by
it, before I realized that it was the one.

Chris and I threaded our way through surfers and bathers to find an open spot
to land right in front of the house. The nerve of those people sunbathing in
my back yard :-).

I took Chris on a quick tour of the exterior and courtyard, since I don't
have a key yet. We snacked, hydrated and talked on the beach, before launching in
the building surf. I powered my way through the breakers and waited for
Chris. He initially got washed back and turned sideways, getting out and cleverly
relaunching in a lull between sets.

I noticed that Chris is paddling a lot stronger this year. He confided that
he is now weightlifting. I think he must be secretly taking steroids, as well.

When we got back to Kiddie, there was a large number of kayaks on the beach.
We met a colleague of Steve Petroluna's. I couldn't remember his name and was
too embarrassed to admit it-- an early sign of Alzheimer's. I do remember
that we had a great time with him at a midnight snack at Marie Calendar's after
a moonlight paddle a while back.

Chris and I had an excellent lunch at Daddio's which was underutilized, as
usual. Just a couple of blocks away, hundreds were waiting to board the seven
Tall Ships and eating awful concessionaire food, while Big Daddio was slowly
twisting in the wind, wondering how he would make the payroll next week.

Chris went to work on airplanes at Santa Monica Airport afterward and I
couldn't resist the allure of the Tall Ships. I went aboard the two ships with the
shortest lines. I also checked out the Confederate Army artillery battery and
the base camp. By the way, the Tall Ships festival is getting better every
year. Don't miss it next summer!

After that. I took a tour of the coast. Anything to avoid going home to the
searing heat in Oak Park.

George Miller