Flooding on the Yolo Causeway

 The road is blocked but one can park just at this gate and look to the west towards Woodland.

I had been wondering if there was any current and if it might be possible to kayak. Just to the left of the road there is a substantial current flowing south. Looks like more research would be needed.

Elkhorn Slough Paddle

Drive a little bit south of Santa Cruz, CA to Moss Landing and take any of the turns to the right just before you cross Elkhorn Slough to several kayak rental places. If you pass the power plant towers, you've gone too far.

We rented closed deck kayaks and headed out around 11 am on a Furlough Friday. This is very popular and I imagine in the height of summer the crowd might be a little too enthusiastic.

The tide was with against us on the way in, but the wind was with us. I think the tide was stronger because when I stopped paddling I almost immediately came to a full stop.

We saw plenty of sea lions, pelicans, water birds and otters. Sea lions were basking on the shore in various places and on a boat dock. Otters were basking in the water near the launch point, in a pod in the estuary about a mile from the launch point, and just swimming around doing otter stuff. On surfaced quite close and began grooming it's back flippers, rolling and rolling and rolling and then shaking it's head dry. The otters seemed to dry off more quickly in the water while the sea lions stayed wet and glossy. We made it a bit past Rubis Creek and Andy went along ahead to Kirby Park. I explored Rubis Creek but didn't manage to make it back to the main channel. Although there looked to be a clear channel, it was confusing to navigate and I did not want to get stuck in the mud.

I made it back about 15 minutes after Andy and both of us were muddy (getting out was definitely muddy) and our arms were like spaghetti. I told Andy our shoulder would really hurt later.

I'd like to definitely do this trip again, perhaps with the tide coming in to see if we can make it further and explore more of the marshy areas.

Of course we were hungry as we'd only had a coffee and 1/2 of a small breakfast burrito but we were also pretty dirty. Andy's jeans were wet from the knees down and my hair looked a bit like I'd jammed a hat over it, sweated, then frizzed the ends with seawater. We stopped at Haute Enchilada which had a vibrant and charming exterior and it had outdoor seating. The food was good, the mole very tolerable and the decor excellent. I highly recommend the place.

Kayaking!

Teana wanted to try kayaking so we drove to Lake Natoma to the Sac State Aquatic center so she could rent a kayak. Mine traveled fine in the back of the pickup truck, although it could probably use some padding. For some reason, I'd forgotten that there was parking at the AC so I parked in the park and ride lot at the entrance to Nimbus Flats. Then I had to carry my kayak and gear all the way across the road, along the bike trail, around the razor wire topped chain link fence, into the parking lot, and finally, finally to the water. We had no problem renting although there was quite a long wait till the "harbor master" came to help us get underway. I had launched from the beach and was sitting in the water by the docks.

We headed straight across the lake to the area through the culvert. The water is very low and we actually had to walk about 20 feet at the end near the culvert. The water plants that fill the water on the other side were propagating and poking some kind of pollen dispenser (or seed pod) above the water line. We didn't see any of the giant fish that I was hoping for.

When we got back out to the main lake, we briefly switched kayaks. I could not get comfortable with the other backband and so we switched back. The rental paddle was the worst paddle I think I've ever touched! It seemed like it was weighted with lead. I let Teana have the nice paddle and I used her bar bell, I mean paddle, for the trip back.

Both of us were tired and my shoulders ache. I remember how much I enjoy kayaking though and must figure out a way to take Commando along.

Wasted kayak trip

If any time on the water can be considered wasted, this was. On a previous trip, I'd checked out the William B Pond access to the river. It looked like a nice, calm place to put in. It was calm, but it didn't connect to the river. I had to portage over the cobble rocks that infest the river banks and bushwhack through the willows and poison oak. Might I also add that a kayak is not the best thing to have on your shoulder while bushwhacking? It's not. It's long, it gets stuck on every branch within a mile, and it's heavy.

On the other hand, I got exercise and spent some time in lovely weather along the beautiful American River. I guess I can't complain too loudly.

Windy paddle

Drove to Hell Hole to paddle. The water level was down about 30 feet and there was wind as well as many people loading and unloading boats. That translates to too crowded for me.

I headed along to French Meadows which is usually prettier. Well, it was prettier although also down about 30 feet and much, much windier. I battled the waves (most with whitecaps) for a short trip and then called it a day.

I briefly visited Ox Box Reservoir but just couldn't get motivated to unload the kayak.

Fixing My Rack

Finally got the car rack put back together. I had to take a trip down to the store and ask for help. It turns out there's a hex wrench adjustment that needs to be made. Once that was done (and it took a bit to figure out how that worked) the racks are on nice and tight. I'm going to experiment with a little trip onto the American River at say Howe or Watt and then go up and then down. If I'm right, there won't be much current and I'll have no problem. If I'm wrong, I'll have a short paddle to some current area and then have to turn around.

Attack ducks

Of course they aren't close enough to see but these juvenile ducks were in the mood for trouble. They followed me around and explored around my kayak at the shore while I was swimming. They left their mischief when I yelled at them.

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Sent from my Treo

Kayak

My beautiful and trusty kayak on Lake Natoma.

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Sent from my Treo

More Echo Lake Kayaking

Andy came up Friday and rented a Kestrel from CCK (great retailer, please patronize for all of your kayaking needs). On Saturday we loaded up in the baking 100 degree temperatures and headed for the lake.

We stopped in Pollack Pines for a fishing license for Andy and in Placerville for breakfast for both.

Echo Lake was very crowded! The lower lot was full, the upper lot was full, and people were parked along the road for a good half mile. The ferry that crosses the two lakes was in constant service shuttling hikers to and fro. The lake was riffly from a mild breeze and choppy from the ferry and few power boats revving around.

We paddled steadily to the upper end and then hung out where a cold, snow melt creek infalls. I floated around in the water while Andy got his fishing tackle ready to go. Then, he paddled out to experiment with fishing while kayaking. I floated some more, then strolled a few hundred yards in either direction along a casual use trail that bordered the lake. Then I got back into my Willow and poked along the shoreline.

After an hour or so, Andy decided that the one nibble he might have gotten wasn't worth it so we meandered around the various islands and then headed back to the launch area.

I selfishly allowed Andy to hike back up to the car and sat and watched the crowds around. A retriever fetched a stick and walked along the top of the dam. Various boats exited. Several people wore extraordinarily silly shoes. Will "rich" people buy anything? I swear that a man wore sequined clogs that matched his wife's.

Andy made it back down and we loaded up. We had a brief delay while he unhooked a fish hook from his shorts. As a sister, I can say with due fondness, "ha, ha, ha, HA, HA, HA, HA" and wipe tears of laughter from my eyes.

A woman asked us about kayaking and we assured her that it was fun and she should definitely rent some tomorrow and go out on the lake and try it out.

So that was the great trip!

Hell Hole Again

Drove to Hell Hole for a quick kayak trip. The rains over the winter really did a number on Mosquito Ridge road and whatever road leaves HH for Georgetown. Lots of slides, big and small. Some slides were just dirt, but plenty were dirt mixed with giant several ton boulders. In one place, you could see the dent where the boulder landed, then the scrape marks on the pavement as the boulder was dragged to the shoulder.

The water was not as cold as I thought it would be although it was plenty high. The waterfalls were tame but still flowing. Lots of debris (logs, logs, logs, sticks. twigs, branches, and bark) in the water.

My arms are a bit sore.

Tomorrow it's another bike ride with Jodi.

Lake Natoma Wind

Drove up after work for a quick workout. Jodi went with to rollerblade. I kayaked across, then cut back and went to the ranger point. It was a little windy and cold but still very relaxing and pleasant. There were a ton of other boats, kayaks, canoes, crew rowers, outriggers, single and double rowers, sail boats, sail boards, and surf skis. As I was leaving, a kayak class was starting.

Lake Natoma Nursery

Took my kayak out for the 1st time this year, finally! The lake was cold, but not bone chilling and the water is nice and high. I cut directly across the lake at Nimbus Flats to the water through the culvert under the bike trail. I didn't see the beavers and don't know if they moved, or are sleeping, or I just didn't see them. Saw plenty of geese, ducks, waterfowl, hawks, and osprey. I also saw some turtles summing themsleves on the logs.

The water back here is mucky and filled with plants. There are also some huge fish, a foot or longer and very fat. It was a little startling for both of us!

I also had to buy new cam straps. As I was putting the old ones on, two of the four just crumbled! Yikes! Had to make a trip to REI to get some new ones, snazzy red and yellow!