Oh my aching arms…

Okay this is it, the official road trip report on the events of Saturday last. Got up at 7am and started putting my backpack together as I was hooking up with high school compadre Gene Carter for a trip down south. A day on the water at Mission Bay was the plan followed by a late lunch and a special event in the evening. Managed to stuff all sorts of goodies in the Gregory day pack like a change of clothing (dry), gloves, my water shoes, sunscreen and the like and Gene rolled up just a little after 9am. Hit I5 South and rolled on down to Mission Bay without incident. Not even a hint of traffic until about a half mile from Sea World Drive. I don’t know if they were having a big day or what but that combined with a nice little fender bender had us at a dead stop with only slight movement for the next 30 minutes or so. It wasn’t getting any better so Gene made the first available right and we doubled back to the freeway. We decided to go back north and give Garnet street a try. Worked out pretty good actually. Cut through the main drag at Pacific Beach and actually crossed through the intersection we had planned on hitting in the first place. Don’t really know how long it would have been if we stuck to the original route. Found the street we were looking for in short order and better still a nice lot right next door on the bay where we could park the Vehicross for FREE !!! Gotta love that. Short walk around the corner to San Fernando Place and Allen’s Kayaks where we were greeted by you guessed it, Allen. Allen hooked us up in no time with an OK Prowler 13 and an OK Caper.

This seemed like a good idea as we could swap out boats and paddles at the halfway point and thus compare the two models. Another short jaunt down to the bay with the boats in tow and we’re ready for the launch. I opted for the Prowler on the first leg. It’s the longer of the two boats and the paddles handle was somewhat elongated as well. Tracked very nice in the water and was stable. No tipping or embarrassing capsizes to be had though I’m sure that would have made a great picture. Leisurely paddle around the point and into the larger part of the Bay. Man this body of water is pretty big if you don’t have something with a motor hanging off of the back. Relatively calm and glassy out there so we got our bearings and headed towards the first bridge in sight in an effort to make our way to the backside of Sea World. Once we hit the first of the 2 bridges

I decided to see what this boat, an of course myself could do. So I picked up the pace a little bit trying to keep a good rhythm and efficient paddle stroke going. Not pulling too hard but trying to keep one end of the paddle in the water as much as possible. I got it going at a pretty good clip but wasn’t going to set any speed records. Once we passed under bridge number 2 Sea World was insight and we started hugging the rocky shoreline a little closer. This was really cool as the water was quite clear and you paddle very slowly and look for sealife amongst the rocks. I was hoping for a crab or two, (not the crabs) or maybe a feisty Garibaldi. I didn’t spot anything but it was no big deal. I knew there was something a little ways ahead that I would find interesting. First point of interest was the Hubbs Sea World Research Institute just onshore followed by the Sea World Skyway. Snapped off a couple of shots and followed the Skyway towers to a little marina and the bayside of Sea World. There was a show in progress at one of the amphitheaters that had a Cirque du Soleil feel to it. There was a rope barrier quite a ways out from the actual stage and signs asking that boaters stay about 50 feet outside the marked area and that authorized vessels only were allowed inside the lines.

It was all good. We tried to get a couple of shots with the zoom lens but really didn’t get to see what was going on with the show. Only the crowd reaction here and there. So we proceeded further down the bay wall hugging the rocks all the way. We spotted a couple of other attractions and folks walking through the park and I swear if we chose too we could have moored the boats and climbed the rocks right into the park. Probably would’ve ended up in jail, but it was possible.

Went a little further up the rock wall and then found something very interesting. A Penguin habitat right offshore. Bunch of the little guys either swimming or just standing around. It’s fenced in of course and there were still more signs instructing boaters not to tie up on the fence. We had Yaks, not boats so we got as close as we could without disturbing the birds. I don’t think they cared about us at all. Great fun just hanging out watching them and studying their habitat. There were little mini tent like structures for shade I guess and I think I even spotted an oscillating fan mounted on one of the walls.
Great little set up for the “guins” and they all seemed perfectly content. Excellent photo opportunity as well so I/we started clicking away. As we paddled away from the penguins we spotted some Seadoos across the bay and a beach. The morning coffee has made it’s way through our systems so we decided to head across the pond and beach the yaks in search of a loo!! We navigated out of the main traffic area and hugged the shore before landing near a porta-potty that Gene had spotted. I was most appreciative of being able to stretch my legs at this point. We hung out there for about 20 min. just watching some of the watercraft. I can’t believe how advanced those things are nowadays. Saw a beautiful Bombardier Sea-Doo with an instrument panel and mirrors that made it look like a Ferrari. Heaven only knows what one of those things must cost.

We’d been out for a couple of hours now and hoping things would remain calm on the water decided to head back in order to return the yaks in time. Pretty much reversed our course by crossing over to the rocky shoreline as we didn’t spot anything of interest on the beach side. Stopped in and visited the birds again and headed for our launch site. Gotta little headwind between the bridges on the way back and things were getting a bit choppy out there. Not really bad but a trolling motor would have come in handy at that particular moment. Gene and I had switched yaks back on the beach and I found the Caper to be more comfortable. The footwells were perfecto for my height and the shorter paddle was a breeze to use. I was actually faster in this boat when paddling flat out. Great upper body workout. (My forearms still hurt) I think I have a circulation problem though as my hands and my feet get a bit numb at times. No problems out there though. You just stop paddling and hang your limbs over the side.. Nice refreshing feeling, and carry on. As stated previously we weren’t setting any records in regard to speed but we did manage to make it back to the launch area with a half hour to spare and without drowning. So no complaints at all.

Hauled the units back up to shore, onto the wheelie carts and back over to Allen’s. A good time was had by all. If anyone is in this area with a few hours to kill you should try this. It’s great way to relax and forget the stresses of work and such. I also highly recommend Allen and Allen’s Kayaks for this kind of excursion. He very friendly and knowledgeable plus you just can’t be the location. The haul to the water is really short. Next plan of action was to get back to Gene’s truck and into some dry clothes. Sit On Tops have kind of a wet ride but heck that’s half the fun. The parking lot had filled up in the time we were out on the water.

This to the point that a gal in a truck actually waited ten minutes for our parking spot. Try changing your undies between cars and hoping no cops drive by! We did accomplish the change and started mapping our way to Ortega’s for lunch. One of my other buddies Mike Mikkelsen had suggested it as he knew we would be in the area and said they had an exotic lobster enchilada dish that I had to try. Took a little navigation but we made it from Pacific Beach over to Ocean Beach and found the place. Again Free Parking for patrons. This sure beats L.A… Large Iced Tea and the obligatory chips and salsa while we waited for the main course. I could actually make a meal of chips and salsa alone. Dusted the first basket in no time and then the Enchiladas arrived. Two big whopping things with rice and beans.. Very, very tasty. Every bit as good as the “Enchiladas de Marisco” I order on occasion at Taco Mesa back home. I don’t know how, but we managed to clean our plates and still be able to get up from the table. I thought I was going to burst. Still had an hour or two to kill before the big event for the evening so Gene suggested we head back north up the freeway and he’d show me around UCSD where his daughter is attending college.

I’m all over it cuz I figure I need to do some walking to burn some of the calories I just added at lunch. Mission accomplished. This place is pretty spread out and has some very hilly terrain. Gene showed me around the living quarters and the bookstore and the Geisel library. Actually there are 6 undergraduate colleges that share the grounds. Interesting concept. Seems to be working. Okay burnt some fat walking the campus but now it was time for the highlight of the day. Back down south and then a little inland in search of Acoustic Music San Diego. A gentleman named Carey Driscoll put this operation together in which he has some of the finest players on the planet put on shows at a little rented church. Best of the best tonight as fingerstyle virtuoso Doyle Dykes was in town and performing a 2 hour show. I’ve heard his records and actually saw him sitting in with a church band once before but was really looking forward to a sit down concert format show from him. This was perfect because it was so intimate. The place only holds about 275 people and I’d say they had about 225 or so for this show. Doyle’s one of the best-kept secrets in music but that’s all changing. I told Gene once you’ve seen this guy play, you’ll either go home and be inspired to practice, practice, practice… or… throw your guitar in the fireplace as this level of mastery is unobtainable for we mere mortals. I won’t go off on a tangent here as I’m entirely capable of when it comes to waxing poetic and effusing this man’s skill and virtues. That would take forever. Suffice to say if anyone out there has a chance to see this guy live, DO NOT MISS IT !!! Hooked up with another friend from “The Post” here that I had tipped off about the show some time ago. Robert Murray, a fair musician in his own right I gather from our discussions was hanging out in front of the church as Gene and I pulled up. Met his wife Deirdre for the first time and I don’t think she had ever seen Mr. Dykes live either.

Mr. Driscoll introduced Doyle at a little after 7pm. and Gene and I sat enthralled for the next 2 hours. Country Standards, Hymns and Original Compositions all played to perfection with some great storytelling in between. His daughter Haley accompanied him on this trip and belted out a few songs and picked her mandolin a little as well. She has a very good voice.

Hated to see it end but it was getting late. Doyle and Haley had a little table set up in the reception area with CD’s and such and pretty much had a little meet and greet right there. I don’t think anyone left until they had met him and he stayed until every last person had either and autographed CD or at the very least a picture taken with him. I wasn’t missing that for anything. This is the most unassuming, humble, gracious and downright friendly guy you could ever meet. Did I mention he could play guitar too? Gene was wondering how he could get such clarity and tone by playing with his fingers and a thumb pick. So we jumped back into line to have a look at the 3 middle fingers on his right hand. Perfectly shaped acrylics that serve much like picks. Gene’s like.. oh yeah!! Makes sense now.

Had a great time.. Could barely keep my eyes open on the ride home. I’m no good at long distances on the road. Gene got me back home and I think I walked in the door at about 11:40pm or thereabouts. Long day, but worth every second. Full albums of the days events as well as any other images I have online can be accessed in the usual manner by clicking on this link. Indoor picture quality suffers a bit from poor lighting conditions and my cheap camera but all things considered they came out alright. I was there for the music anyway.

I’d like to thank Gene first and foremost for setting a Saturday aside to spend with me. We don’t have the opportunity to get together enough. Allen at Allen’s Kayaks for hooking us up and getting us out on the water. Robert and Deirdre for showing up and hanging out with us. Mr. Driscoll for booking this amazing talent(s) and Doyle and Haley for thoroughly entertaining us and chatting it up afterwards. Come back soon!!! (I think something’s in the works for February, 2006)

I Scott do hereby swear never to post anything this long again..

So help me Doyle…. er, God..

-Scott