kayaking s.f. bay
Few experiences compare to kayaking through the sparkling wake of a full moon reflected on San Francisco Bay. Night kayaking is exhilarating and romantic – during one full moon trip, a relationship was rekindled and the couple married within months. (However, taking up kayaking as a step towards marriage isn’t recommended!)
For a short time, the Dave Eggers and Dave Moodie, editors of the now-defunct Might Magazine, were borrowing offices from The Chronicle. I invited them on a kayaking trip around Angel Island. Dave Moodie asked "will we see whales." "Sure," I said blithely. I'd never seen a whale in the bay, so I was kidding. We were in a circle on the south side of Angel Island learning about tides and landing techniques when what pops up in the middle of the group. Yep. A baby whale. Spontaneously, the guide leaned over and ran his hand along the barnacle-covered side of the baby. It was amazing. The whale followed us for a couple of hours and the guide will forever be referred to as "The Whale Boy."
We've kayaked the Bay in storms, around-the-clock (which should always be done in the company of very experienced kayakers), under all the Bridges in one day (took about nine hours, starting from Sausalito, with a stop at Aquatic Park, on Red Rock near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, then back to Sausalito). We have packed the hold with fried chicken, salad and apple pies for picnics on Angel Island, on deserted beaches in Tomales Bay, Baja, California and in the San Juan Islands.
With large groups, we have kayaked from Sausalito to Tiburon's fine restaurants for dinner . . . or along Sausalito's waterfront for shorter excursions with friends new to the sport. We've been under the Golden Gate Bridge . . . again, only to be done with very experienced kayakers.
For thousands of years, Eskimos hunted whales from the stable, sturdy craft. Large holds carry supplies for gourmet picnics on remote beaches or camping gear for longer outings.
Sea Trek Ocean Kayaking Center in Sausalito organizes night tours . . . and excursions to Baja and Alaska. Kayaking is a superb upper body workout, negative ions from the water are mind-altering, and the sport is low-impact on the environment. Always check tide charts and weather conditions before kayaking anywhere.
Reading departure signs in some big airport