In terms of numbers of paddlers, today's trip was unremarkable, BUT in terms of having a great time, it was one of the best trips that I've been on.
Steve Pietrolungo, Mike Bode, John Petersen, and I met at Butterfly Beach this morning. Sherry Nantroup and Ted Mitchell didn't quite know where to go, so they put in next to the Biltmore Hotel. Ted walked down to confirm who we were and then he and Sherry launched and waited for us on the water as we launched into the almost non-existent surf.
The day started gloomy with a heavy marine layer and we decided that since we didn't know what the exclusion zone around the ship was ( I had been told both 100 meters and 500 meters by two different knowledgeable sources), that we would call and ask. Just then our radios went off---"Securite, Securite, Securite, this is US Warship 76. Reminder to all vessels that there is a 1000 meter exclusion zone around the ship".
At 1000 meters, I wasn't sure that we could even read the big 76 on the ship's island. We all decided that we should stop at the 1000 meter point and call the ship via VHF. I didn't expect things to change, but when we explained that we just wanted to say "thanks" and show some support for the troops, they gave us permission to come in to 500 meters, but that we should stay outside of the orange buoys. As we did this, a rigid inflatable, with two huge outboard engines, two bigger 50 cal machine guns, and several sailors with M-16 rifles approached us. They made sure we stayed outside the 500 meter zone. We took pictures (unfortunately, Mike B's disk got wet later in the day and died, so we lost the shots of the security boat. Hopefully Sherry got some because I didn't.
We circumnavigated the ship and then decided to head into the harbor. As we passed the 1000 meter exclusion zone, I again called the ship. At first they didn't answer, but 5 minutes later, they called me (obviously they must have been busy). I thanked them for giving us permission to get closer than the other boats were being allowed. At that point they thanked us for our show of support. The group decided to paddle into Santa Barbara Harbor and after taking a quick tour around, we landed at Paddle Sport's dock and tied up our boats and got out to stretch our legs. When Duane Strosaker gets old enough, he can go there and actually try on some Tilley's. They seemed to have a decent selection.
We then got back into our boats amidst questions from some spectators as to what do you do when the boat rolls over. They didn't believe that they are really stable. As we were paddling back through the Harbor, John noted that there was a Chumash Tomol on the beach. Several Chumash were having a ceremony for it and they launched it for a trip to Carpinteria. It was interesting to watch the boat go with 4 paddlers all using double bladed paddles.
John and Mike stayed with the Tomol, and the Steve P, Ted, Sherry, and I hugged the coast line for our trip back. Sherry and Ted landed where they launched from and Steve and I landed at Butterfly. Soon John and Mike arrived and we all made it in through the 1 foot high beach break, although almost all of us got broached just as we were trying to get out of the boats. All stayed dry and upright though.
After changing clothes, we headed in to John's favorite Santa Barbara
Mexican restaurant, where we regaled ourselves with tales of our kayaking
prowess on the almost flat water today.
The ship was awesome, the company spectacular, and a good time was had by
all.
Steve