Baja California South has turned out to be damn cold late Dec/ early Jan this time. Campsites are deserted, North-Eastern winds are good enough to sail and paddle, scorpios, rattle snakes and spiders are hybernating somewhere and don't bother me, - this is all fine. What causes misery, is that short daylight leaves no time to enjoy life after paddling/sailing, and with cold nights you have no time to dry out paddling clothes. Camp clothes are getting wet too a little bit - because of evening dew, foggy mornings, humidity in tent etc. I've got impression that south shores of Hawaii right now, for example, are slightly warmer than Sta Rosalia/Mulege (Baja) during a day, much warmer at night time (3-4 degrees), though humidity is noticeably higher. Water temps, I suspect, are same uncomftable as in Baja. Perhaps, still warmer than in BC right now :-). Australia is too far, alas. Can anybody say anything about winter at Hawaii (Maui?) south shores? Early November is good there, but how about Dec-Jan, compared to Baja? Alex. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Just a thought, but I was out in the Everglades this weekend. It was 81F and sunny. Was a cool 70F at night. cu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] Hi Alex, I have never been in Baja so I can't really compare, but after living in Maui for two and a half years already, I can tell you the weather won't be a problem. I live in Kihei, where the sun shines every week of the year, except for on or two of really heavy rains, just like last week ... What means ... There's a long time of good warm weather ahead. The weather changes depending on what part of the island you are, it might rain a often or almost never, but is always definitely warm, even in winter. The water is also warm !!! And Jan, Feb, and March are grate for whale watching ... They are here already ! Another attraction for adrenaline lovers is that Jaws is supposed to brake during this months ... Looking this guys surfing those 60 footers is unreal ... And they haven't been done in a kayak yet ... What do you think Doug ? Fast kayak though ... They've registered 60 mph and more surfing the face ... Let me know if I can be of any help. Aloha ! Fernando ./ (An Happy New Year everybody !) -----Original Message----- Subject: [Paddlewise] Hawaii in Dec/Jan? Water temps, I suspect, are same uncomftable as in Baja. Perhaps, still warmer than in BC right now :-). Australia is too far, alas. Can anybody say anything about winter at Hawaii (Maui?) south shores? Early November is good there, but how about Dec-Jan, compared to Baja? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> The water is also warm !!! And Jan, Feb, and March are grate for whale > watching ... They are here already ! I've seen one near Isla San Marcos in Baja. About 40 ft long I think. Kirby is right - it is warm in Baja now - compared to BC. Was 22 C (73 F) with 12-20 knots winds about 50% of the time, but only 12 C (55 F) at night. Nights begin at 6 pm now. Water in tidal pools on New Year eve was like somewhere west of Victoria in July :-), which isn't in my comfort range. Water in open sea was much colder. Hawaii don't have that much contrat between day and night temperature. Besides, shuttle from Maui airport for a few bucks will take me to a secured campsite near Lahaina in less than an hour, which is nothing compared to Mexican bus adventures. There is another nice camp near Hana, but on the north coast, unfortunately. Not much wilderness camping there, but staying in a $5 camp and doing day-paddling would be nice too. A little bit noisy and crowdy after Baja or BC, but, well, you can't have everything. Incidentally (thanks, Bob) - after I've sent my message, I thought of Everglades. Couple of brief questions: how about mosquitos in Everglades in late Dec, and what itinerary may look like for a week-long trip, considering air/bus/taxi connection (it's a Feathercraft), launch site with fresh water, approximate route with more beaches and less chikee stands? (less power boaters would be nice too). Alex. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I've paddled the northern Everglades route from EG city to Morman Caye. Spectacular. Nothing taller than 30 feet, though. Be a good navigator. Chickees are less comfortable than beach sand. I would recommend a round trip of 1 weeks duration going from EG city to Hog Caye, a no sidetrip roundtrip distance of 50 miles. Further south is Highland beach. If you stay on the outside you can beach camp there and daytrip on the inside. Mosquitos in November were pretty bad, but not bad enough to make too many statements about. Most ought to be gone after the first freeze, if there is one that far south. Buy the book Padlers Guide to Everglades National Park by John Molloy. Nigel Fosters book on paddling south Florida is good, too. Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I just retuned to Florida, from New York on Song. They are the worst excuse for an airline I have ever encountered. I fly 2 or 3 times a month, and I would never even consider these jokers again. The lunacy started when I checked in 1 1/2 hours early and was not issued a boarding pass, but a "seat request". I then stood in line at the gate, while they took an hour to handle around 10 passengers. I wasn't served until they had boarded 1/2 the plane. I was given a seat assignment, not in any way related to my confirmed seat assignments I had made a few weeks earlier. The flight was 100% full and of course no pillows nor blankets were available. I ordered a $8 wrap (worth around 3) and requested a receipt when I paid. I was informed that they to not produce receipts unless requested at the time the food is ordered. I explained that the receipt was worth $8 to me. The surly stew stated she would have to hand write one. Of course it never arrived. They had a limited number of DISH channels on the plane but they kept going out every few minutes, so it was impossible to watch anything that lasted more than a few minutes. When I arrived in New York, I was told that my bags (containing my coat) went through Atlanta and would be delivered later to my hotel. I explained that I didn't have coat, and would have to wait. I eventually got my bag and coat and arrived late for my meeting. The return flight was another bad joke. They board by zones...3 is in the back, then 2 then 1. The idiot at the gate obviously couldn't count to 3 and boarded the 100% full flight starting with zone 2, then zone 3 then zone 1. Of course there was mayhem with the zone 3 people trying to get past the Zone 2 people. The flight was heading for West Palm (God's waiting room) and the many geriatrics added to the confusion. I hadn't eaten prior to the 11:30 flight. Song heavily promotes it's on board food sales. In addition they offer no amenities what-so-ever. The food wasn't bad on the flight to New York, so I decided I would order. They handed menus to everyone. I was in row 30 in a 757. It too 1 1/2 hours to get a coke. When the food cart came by I was asked if I would like to eat. I ordered their special sandwich of the day. I was informed it was sold out. I ordered the wrap..also sood out. I ordered the third item, a chicken salad...that too was sold out. I was then told they were actually sold out of everything. When I said that I hadn't eaten all day, I was starving and they had been pushing their menu like crazy, her response was "Write to the company and ask them to put more food on the plane". I realized if I didn't control myself, I would probably be placed in hand cuffs as I lunged for the stews throat. When the plane landed and the pilot was standing at the door, I told him how I was really unhappy sitting in a plane for 3 hours with nothing to eat, because they couldn't get their logistics right. The only response was from the bimbo stews and that was to move along, you are blocking traffic. The worst thing about this is I booked my flight on Delta, paid for my flight on Delta but was actually placed on a discount airline by Delta without my consent. Beware the next time you book on Delta Airlines. If you see the word Song anywhere, try another airline...pay a few dollars more, but don't make the same mistake I did! With the slightest attempt at customer service, they could have diffused the situation, but the surly attitude of ALL the flight crew as well as the pitiful logistics in booking and food service makes this a bad choice for a vacation to Florida. Cya! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Well, and I was grumbling on discontinued meals on Alaska Air and reduced free luggage (down to 50 lbs per bag). At least they had pillows for free on Alaska Air. Coats or jackets I always carry on me, no matter whether flying from cold to warm or vice versa. Firstly, temperature in the cabin varies a lot depending on condition of air-condition :-), and secondly, jacket (we don't use them coats on west coast) is an excellent pillow or blanket. Btw, on my way back Kahuna's Urethane hull has mysteriously gained 10 (!) extra lbs, even after 7 hours of drying (I suspect it was also a foam padding in the Feathercraft backpack). It took them (hull + backpack) 24 hours of living room drying to return back to normal weight. Of course, Alaska Air coudln't miss the opportunity and whacked me with their over-weight $25 charge. Alex. > I just retuned to Florida, from New York on Song. They are the worst excuse > for an airline I have ever encountered. I fly 2 or 3 times a month, and I > would never even consider these jokers again. ... > > When I arrived in New York, I was told that my bags (containing my coat) > went through Atlanta and would be delivered later to my hotel. I explained > that I didn't have coat, and would have to wait. I eventually got my bag and > coat and arrived late for my meeting. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
That reminds me of the time I complained about an especially long line at check in in London for a flight to the States. I noticed, just in time, that the woman put an NBO tag on my bag (Nairobi is the dead letter box of luggage). I was able to retrieve the bag before it went to never never land. Apparently, this was SOP for obnoxious customers. cu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Fernando said (snip): >> I can tell you the weather won't be a problem. I live in Kihei, where the sun shines every week of the year...<< I wouldn't go this time of year. The Premier of BC vacations there every Christmas/New Year. A black cloud seems to follow him there every year. Last year it was a DUI charge, this year, well, never mind. Let's just say there's a lot of free enterprise in government these days. Kirby is just back from Baha. He said it was gloriously warm, which doesn't reconcile with some recent reports. He's probably just rubbing my nose in the freezing temps here in Victoria he came back to this week. No, I didn't go storm paddling. Almost, but 35 knots on my day off, during arctic outbreaks is a little on the dangerous side. I change my middle name for these conditions. >>The water is also warm !!! And Jan, Feb, and March are grate for whale watching ... They are here already ! Another attraction for adrenaline lovers is that Jaws is supposed to brake during this months ... Looking this guys surfing those 60 footers is unreal ... And they haven't been done in a kayak yet ... What do you think Doug ? Fast kayak though ... They've registered 60 mph and more surfing the face ...<< Well, that Grey Whale that killed the toddler aboard the whale-watching boat Christmas day looked bad enough, without adding Jaws. So, when is tow-in kayak surfing going to happen? I take it the *kayak surfers* in Hawaii are, nevertheless, some of the best big wave riders in the world. Then there's Audrey Sutherland, swimming around some of those Hawaiian Islands. That's one crazy lady. Danger must be _her_ middle name. Bigger gonads than mine. :-) Doug Lloyd Victoria BC *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:36 PDT