Once again, we puffed up our versatile Sea Eagle inflatable kayak – this time for a jaunt out on Monterey Bay. See this link: https://share.delorme.com/gregilles for a map of our little day-trip (just the kayak portion). And for those less familiar with the overall area, here’s a Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/UiFRd

It’s a pretty easy trip for us (not counting some traffic). About an hour’s drive took us down to a beach near the Wharf (Monterey Municipal Beach), and we parked less than 100 yards from the water’s edge. We’re still experimenting with our get-going routine, and a few additions (like a higher-pressure air pump for the kayak floor section, tie-offs for holding paddles, etc.). It took us about 20 minutes this time to get ready to launch.

In this area, the surf is virtually nil, maybe a few inches lapping at the sandy shore. We paddled out toward the southern wharf, along with a few other folks in the numerous rental kayaks from a nearby shop. Scooting under the pilings of Municipal Wharf 2 gets us immediately into the harbor.

A myriad of boats, old, young, spiffy and cruddy, are available and on display. The water is of course placid, and we wandered around and marveled at the diversity of watercraft.

Out past the wharfs (wharves?), Cannery Row comes into view. Interesting to see it from this side, where previously we’ve been street-bound tourists.

Our only stop for the day was at the Fish Hopper (see the striped awning?). There’s a tiny sandy beach at the foot of the pilings (McAbee beach), and we beached the kayak so we could enjoy a sit-down lunch. We managed to get the boat sideways in the 1-foot surf, and took on five gallons of sea-water. Karin liked it so much she briefly sat down in it (okay, it was an accident). When we went into the restaurant, which was thankfully equipped with a tiled floor, we guiltily tracked water and sand all the way to our table. After our wonderful outside-seating lunch, we quickly exited the place, leaving behind a puddle under Karin’s chair from her slightly-drenched clothes. Bit of a giggle, smiles all around.

All along the Row, there is an abundance of sea life, dominated of course by seals, sea lions, and the incredibly cute sea otters. These critters are tame and unafraid, but can deliver nasty bites or strikes with their powerful limbs. All visitors are advised to keep their distance – and we do – but “distance” in most cases is down to 10 or 20 feet with reasonable safety for both humans and beasts.

We paddled further up the coast, but by afternoon the modest swells were starting to get to my sensitive stomach, and we turned around and headed for home. A seal and a cormorant kept us company for a little ways….

We lingered for a while around the breakwater, enjoying the wildlife resting there. From sunning seals to the nesting birds, it’s a lively, noisy, sometimes stinky place, but a delight to just sit and stare for a bit.

Sometimes we don’t have to get close to the wildlife – it just comes right up to us.

On the way back through the wharf area, we pass one of the several places where seals “raft up” for sun and relaxation. Once again, it’s very different from the street view (railing above).

After we beach the kayak back at the parking lot, it takes about another 20 minutes to deflate everything and bundle it back into the car. When we get home, a further 20 minutes to rinse all the gear. Not a bad amount of overhead for such a wonderful excursion.

Just before heading home, we give ourselves a rare treat at an ice cream shop in Monterey. Outside was this remarkable beast, and I couldn’t resist a snapshot.

We had lots of nasty traffic on the way home, but after a day like that, we were undismayed.

Life is good.