Were I more Zen-like, like my friend Debra, I wouldn't let being skunked on a whale hunt get me down much, but I don't think I've reached that level of Nirvana! At least that's what passed through my mind on the water today. Debra was supposed to join me on my hunt today, but she had shoulder issues and backed out and left to my own time restraints, my 9am launch dragged on till 10. I did get a chance to check out my possible alternate launch site at Dana Point, but it didn't look too promising. I settled for the usual launch. Perhaps my problem was I was loaded for bear today. Two cameri, GPS, radio, lunch, plenty of assorted fluids, umbrella and a penny whistle! But I can't complain about the day--it was sunny with a cooling breeze and a nice rolling swell to provide a vantage point for looking out to sea. I made quick work of the channel and was soon heading out to sea. I was feeling a bit lethargic, though, so I figured I didn't have much strength to be chasing whales anyhoo. And as I paddled over the vast stretch of ocean, what was I thinking about??? Great White Sharks, of course! Heading out to sea all by my lonesome, I contemplated what to tell the Coast Guard when I had to call them to come save me from the great white shark! I blame Duane for that--for making it seem such a possibility and also Debra. I figure if she was with me, surely any shark would be most interested in her--she being so full of organics and green tea, while I am full of BHT. I planned to set up camp three miles out. The horizon was socked in with clouds, although the south end of Catalina was clear enough to tempt me. I'm the type of whale hunter who picks a spot and lets the whales come to me, so I figured I wouldn't be doing any chasing anyway. I clamped my my umbrella on to my cockpit rim and set about enjoying my watery universe. This was my first and maybe my only whale hunt on the year and I knew I couldn't complain if I came up empty. Although the last couple years have been a whale washout, my past successes have put me in the rarefied company of people who have been at eye level with the largest animal ever to inhabit the planet. I have been a lucky man! Then I got luckier! http://www.sandmarks.net/WhaleThumb/WoeisMe1.htm A boat was wandering by closer to shore and I heard some people screaming like a bunch of little Duanes! They continued on to the harbor, but I headed in for a closer look. Then I heard the tell-tale "whoosh" that said a whale was very close by. Turns out, even if you're tired as all get out, when you have a whale in front of you, you seem to find a bit of energy to chase it down! I was lucky as this first time it stayed up for a while and I was able to get pretty close. I had one boat near by who'd seen the whale the same time I did and we just smiled at each other as we watched it roll along on top of the ocean. I stayed to watch it come up 5 times, almost exactly on ten minute intervals. By the second time we were joined by the Dolphin Safari boat, who seemed to show up from nowhere! I tried to stay next to the DS boat, figuring they were the pros, but the next time it came up, it was quite a way away and the motorboats left me in their dust to bring up the rear. Still, I got to see some nice sights. For my final visit, I stayed back behind the boats hoping the whale would come back my way and sure it did! It came up in front of me quite to the side of the boats and I took off chasing it to get closer. Being behind a whale isn't the best spot, as they can move pretty fast, but at least I had my position established over the motorboats. And then just to spite them, the whale decided to my a U turn right in front of me and come along my side! No doubt I'm in quite a few tourist pictures from the whale boats, as I had a center seat! I actually had to back up a bit to give it some room; it was amazing. I imagine I could have stayed out there for another hour chasing that whale, but I was tired and figured I'd leave it to the boats. By then, a second whale tour boat had arrived and I imagine they were happy to see me out of their way. I paddled back elated but tired, more tired than my long paddles of late. But it was an unbeatable experience. Don't know how long the Blues will be with us this year, but I'm sure glad fate decided to toss one out in front of my kayak today! Mark Sanders _______________________________________________ Info mailing list Info_at_list.ckf.org http://list.ckf.org/mailman/listinfo/info *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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