Lake Tahoe ~ Mono Lake

Sat Feb 4th   Supplies– Check

For any good adventure you must have the right supplies— in some ways this trip will require fewer supplies.  But in other ways it will also require more- much more– like a lot more clothing.   It’s the middle of winter, February 4th to be exact, and we will be SUPing  Mono Lake and Lake Tahoe  in the California High Sierra Mountain Range.  This endeavor might sound crazy to some, and we do in fact get weird looks when we tell our friends what we are doing.  “Yes we are going to the mountains,  not for the snow, but to explore the lakes on SUPs.”  This years winter supply of snow  is  way  below average.  With fingers crossed we hope for more of the same… blue skies and a week absent wind or snowstorms.  

Supplies are gathered the night before– SUPs, paddles, winter clothing, wetsuits (just in case we face conditions where we might fall in), and food.   With the added luxury of a full kitchen we indulge in a fun shopping spree at TJ’s.  Did I mention we love to eat and we love to eat well.  We  pick up all the key ingredients to indulge any food craving we may have along the way.  Salty- peanut butter filled pretzels;  fruit- blueberries or dried mango; sweet- or dark chocolate filled peanut butter cups.  We have all the basis covered. 

We are looking for adventure, finally making time for a slower pace to get away from the hectic demanding busy lives we lead.  But most important– we are looking to connect with the eternal elementary energy and beauty found only in nature.  This  we have discovered this connection is best explored and experienced self propelled on SUPs with family and close friends.  

Kim will be our esteemed photographer, I have been given the log duties (gulp), and  having scored a place for us to stay in Tahoe Nick gets to a pass on any up-front duties or obligations.  However, knowing  Kim and me we will find ways to put his skills to good use.  Supplies are packed, accommodations confirmed, and our team is in place for our first winter SUP Adventure.   

Sun Feb 5th   Let It Begin

A morning surf check reveals glassy conditions at  Pump House producing clean overhead waves tumbling in.   We turn away from these ideal conditions.   The ocean is not our destination today, instead we are heading for Mono Lake, a snow fed mountain lake known for its naturally occurring salty water. 

Stopping at the local and delicious Donut Dock we kick off the road trip with a few muffins and apple fritter (to share of course). Reveling in the fact that we are on our way and truly on VACATION several hours of driving passes quickly. We stop at Erick Schat’s Bakery in Bishop to refuel for lunch.    Waking through the door we are hit with the tantalizing smells of fresh homemade bread and baked goods.  Kim and I are in heaven- we might not leave.  If there was a place to paddle our SUPs we could spend the rest of our vacation here.  The line for lunch winds and twists through the wracks filled with every assortment of homemade bread, deserts, and other goodies you could ever want.  Did I mention I could spend a considerable amount of time in this shop.   As expected the food is well worth the wait. This spot might be the highlight  of Bishop– I recommend anyone passing through stop to dine or grab something to go.  

With full bellies we make the final push to Mono Lake.  Cresting over the last ridge we get our first look at Mono Lake State Natural Reserve and are blessed to find glassy perfect SUPing conditions.  A quick stop at the visitor center we learn that there are no restrictions for SUPing on the lake. Daylight is dwindling so we quickly make our way down to a recommended beach for our first launch and paddle of the trip.   Conditions are amazing–  it is absolutely still with no wind.   We can hardly contain ourselves and are itching to get on the water. Air temp is around the mid 30’s F and we don’t bother changing and get on boards in tennis shoes, multiple layers of clothes, beanies, and gloves.

Pushing off the sandy beach- the magic of the lake settles over us. We glided into a unique and wondrous world.  Snowcapped mountains surrounding us and we take our first deep breath of lake air. A heady mixture of sulfur and salt- almost otherworldly.  We are  the only ones on the water and quickly make our way to the first set of tufas towers (calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by  the interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water).  These majestic natural sculptures extend skyward and the glassy conditions create a mirror image reflecting their pillar like forms on the waters surface. 

As we move through the water our wakes disrupt the mirror image casting ripples all the way to the shore. A stillness settles in and we take a moment to enjoy the fact that we are the only ones on the water. As usually Kim’s natural grace on the water shines and she leads the way.   The full moon is rising in the east and sun is setting as in the west.   Serenaded by the calls of an owl as it begins its night hunting we head back to shore.    Content and giddy with our first day SUPing Mono Lake we finish our night with some yoga, a creative hodge-podge dinner, and a Sandra Bullock Chick Flick.  Vacation is good! 

Monday Feb 6th 
To do: Paddle Two Lakes in the Sierra Mountain Range in One Day: Check 

Rising early we are excited for our first morning paddle and quickly pack and head straight  for Mono Lake.  We decide to try a new beach with a different group of  tufa towers.  The temp outside hovers close to 22’ F so we are not surprised to find ice on the car, our boards, and the lake.   Incredible we again encounter perfect glassy conditions with no one on the water.  How are we getting so lucky and getting the Lake all to ourselves– we are not sure- but we will take it.   

With big smiles we layered for warmth and launch.  The tufas today are much bigger than the previous day.  They remind us of huge drip sandcastles that we use to make playing on the beach.  Some of the tufas are crowned with larger birds nests sitting regally a top.  Vacant for the winter, we image how royal a large raptor or egret might look sitting on top feeding their young.  The boarders of the lake closest to shore are covered in ice and we attempt to plow through- just to see how the boards handle in icy conditions. This is their first encounter with ice and snow.   The cracking of the ice makes a horrible sound against the boards and we immediately abandon this idea. 

Heading for open water we are instantly struck with the irony of the situation.  We are drifting between huge sand castles islands, the liquid water around  contains frozen fingers of ice and snow extend on to the beaches and into the surrounding wetlands.  Moving up the mountain patches of  white expand into large swaths of snow blanketing  the surrounding high peaks.   Bringing some of this crisp clean mountain air a breeze blows down on us and we take a few deep breath sharing and celebrating this Mono Lake magic.

We could spend days exploring Mono and now I know we will be back.  The chill of the air has us turning around after about an hour  as our next destination awaits us.   We are excited to pick up our third member of the team– Nick will be joining us in Tahoe. Woop woop!  

In Tahoe we find our 2 bedroom 2 bath condo near Heavenly Ski Resort  is not ready for check-in.  Taking advantage of the open afternoon we head down  the hill to get on the water.  Sparkling crystal blue water entices us and we hunt for a way down to Emerald Bay only to find all the public access roads closed for the winter.  What!!! We settle on a beach closer to town but are not disappointed once we hit the water.  Water clarity is amazing 20-50 feet deep. The crystal clear water allows us to see all the way to the sandy bottom of the lake.  We have a new appreciation for slogan “Keep Tahoe Blue.” It is so clear we can’t help but notice all the discarded junk– boat engines, anchors, children’s toys, a snow shovel.  If water temp was not in the low 40’s we would be tempted to jump in & haul this trash to the nearest disposal site.    Perhaps we can tackle this task when we visit again sometime in the summer. 

On the water you can’t help but be caught up by the amazing surrounding vista.  It is truly inspiring– the blue lake goes on as far as the eye can see only to meet the foot of huge mountains dotted with tall pines and blanketed in white snow.   We again find ourselves alone on the lake and are happy that others have not discovered how fun it is to be on the water during winter. 

Nick proves to be a great addition to the team.   With his help it is much easier to unload/load the boards (ok so these capable independent women do enjoy the help of a strong man every once in a while) especially when fingers and toes are chilled.   A local brewery  grabs our attention and stop by to pick up a growler of some fine local ale.   

The first order of business back at the condo has us pouring drinks and a giving a cheers to VACATTION and this winter SUP Adventure.  We settle into our lovely accommodations.   Homemade pizza compliments the wine and beer perfectly.  We cap the night with  a dip in the hot tub putting us to bed early.

We settle into our lovely accommodations. ….

Getting caught off guard with some good family news,  he is going to be an uncle, Nick dumps our homemade pizza (which was an artistic masterpiece) into the oven.  Quick fingers nimbly pick up the salvageable toppings and we re-make the pizza.  Homemade pizza compliments the wine and beer perfectly.  We cap the night with  a dip in the hot tub putting us to bed early.  Feb   7th

Game On
Barter: Snow Board Lessons for Surf Lessons

Before heading up the hill to get some snow time Nick whips us all up truly delightful French toast for breakfast. Nice~ I knew Nicks many skills would come in handy on this trip.    Full, Kim and I head down the hill to find a new spot to explore on the SUPs.   A collection of boulders sticking  out above the water draws our attention and we launch to get a closer look at Zepher Cove.   Again we are stuck by how clear the water is.  You can see the boulders underwater perfectly and we enjoy some play time investigating them.   

Getting our fill of water time we meet Nick back at the condo for lunch, a nap, yoga (yes I got Nick to do yoga), and a dip in the outside pool and hot tub.  With Kim cheering, Nick and I brave a few seconds in the chilly pool and then submerge completely into the steamy hot tub.  With the weather turning and the possibility of an evening snow storm we settle in for the night.  

Somehow (could have been the few glasses of wine I had)  Kim and Nick get me to agree to snowboarding the following day. This will be my third time ever on a mountain and my first attempt snowboarding.  I am nervous– but have agreed on a good barter deal.  Snowboarding lessons from Nick in exchange for surf lessons next time he visits CA.  Once committed I can’t go back.  Game on!  

Feb 8th
A Breakfast of Champions

I wake to the smell of amazing goodness only to find Kim in the kitchen making us a lovely (and needed) breakfast of eggs, potato, and cinnamon rolls.  Nick heads out to hit up a different resort on the opposite side of the lake before taking me up for my lesson in the afternoon.  This leaves Kim and I with the task of securing equipment (which we score a rental board and boots for $20/day).  To shake off some of the nerves and take my mind off the fact that I am going up the mountain in t-minus 3 hours we hit the more liquid form of water I am comfortable with– SUPing please.  Sitting on the water my attention keeps getting drawn up that big dominating  mountain where the ski resort sits.  I can’t stop thinking WOW that looks steep and scary.  C*** what have I agreed to.  Kim distracts me from my nerves with food.  We score smoothies at the local vegetarian restaurant and cookie from the whole foods store.  

Deep yoga breath, deep yoga breath I try to repeat as we slowly climb the mountain.  The chair lifts brining us ever closer to my nemesis the first run on the mountain.  With one foot strapped into the snowboard I am awkward and nervous.  I am use to water- soft flowing gentle water– what is this cold hard icy looking stuff that we call snow.  Clearly out of my element I totally biff  the exit off the chair lift.  Luckily Nick is there to coach me up and assist me over to a bench.  With some general instructions we begin our slow and hilarious decent down the mountain.   Nick going backwards as he attempt to keep me upright.  Eating it every few feet, having to strap and un trap in a few places I ungracefully make progress down the hill.   But with Nicks guidance and coaching I start to get the hang of the back and forth decent technique known as  the “falling leaf.”  I quickly learn lesson one- don’t get cocky on the mountain– just when you think you got the hang of it you catch and edge– eat it going face or butt first into the snow.  Nick of course makes this snowboarding thing look easy as he moves with ease, grace, and speed down the hill.  I marvel at his comfort on the mountain.  Sweaty and tired it takes us  (well me) 50 min to make it down the hill (thank you Nick for your patients).  Kim is at the bottom of the hill to photograph and capture this moment for posterity.  

I am determined to do better so we head back up for a second try.   This time I don’t biff it exiting the chair lift– wow!! Progress down the mountain this time is improved. This of course I credit to my teacher – Thanks Nick.   With  legs like jelly exhaustion sets in– time to get off the mountain.  For dinner we score amazing burgers at a local burger joint and end the evening with a necessary dip in the hot tub to ease sore muscles. 

 Feb 9th
Glitter and Gold

Our last morning in Tahoe, we talk Nick into SUPing with us.  Nick leads us to a  new spot he had discovered the day before–  a little cove that sparkles in the sunlight.  Upon closer inspection we find pyrite mixed in with the sand.  We soak up the beauty of Tahoe enjoying each others company in this spectacular setting.  It is the first day we are not alone on the water and having had the water to ourselves for so many days we welcome the company.  It is nice to find others of similar persuasions who are enjoying  this special place.  Fish swim between boulders, ice cycles drip down overhangs, and beautiful homes dot the shoreline.    

We wrap up the last few hours in Tahoe with a  walk on the beach.  On our way out of town we stop by the one and only SUP store and come across the best find in town– a great little wine shop offering wine tasting for only $5.  We indulge in one last true vacation luxury drinking wine at 1:00 in the afternoon on a Thursday.  We don’t want to leave but Nick must catch a flight back to Colorado and Kim and I will make the 8hr drive back to Ventura. With goodbyes and lots of love we part ways  filled with enough good memories and satisfied with the adventure of this trip to sustain us till the next one.

Reflecting:   

This was a trip of many 1st and we will now start the process of planning for the next one but for a moment I sit back and reflect.  I am inspired by a poem I come across that seems to capture this experiences and goes something like…
 
“My words are tied in one
With the great mountains
With the great rocks,
With the great trees,”
 (I add)
With the great Lake waters
With close companions I share these places and experiences
I am one with the earth, my body, my heart and my sole
Once again reminded that we are all connected within and to the one.

-Kristi

Santa Barbara Parade of Lights

On a very brisk December 11th night, Kristi invited me to join her friends Daniel and Chris in the Santa Barbara Parade of Lights. Equipped with a new double paddle that Daniel and Chris have been creating we SUPed from the boat launch ramp around the pier where we showed off our skills of the “helicopter” and the “circle formation” to impress the judges, then it was off to the harbor and a second trip around the pier. When enjoyed the warming cider, fireworks and the accomplishment of staying dry.

After tucking the boards and paddles away, when wandered over to the delicious buffet at the Maritime Museum Awards Banquet. We must have really impressed the judges with the helicopter move, we won 2nd place in the human-powered category. Thanks Mom for the taking our picture  PS in the photo below we are the straight lines of lights in the bottom left corner. -Kim

If anyone is interested in joining us at “Little Beach” in Ventura Christmas night to SUP the Ventura Keys and check out the lights at 6pm, email us or just meet us there.

MoNstERs and cReaTurES, oh my…

Halloween of 2011was a cold and misty night shrouded in fog.  Kim and Karl dared the giveadam crew to join them on the dark and eerie waters of the Ventura Keys at this spookiest time of the year.  Betsy was the only one brave enough to acquiesce to tackle the Keys with Kim and Karl.  First, though, in order to garner more courage, we feasted on Kim’s stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in bacon and twice baked sweet potatoes (we couldn’t help but wonder – can’t she get them right the first time?), followed by pumpkin pie topped with cream cheese swirled pumpkin slices.  We silently worried that perhaps Kim had prepared this excellent gourmet meal worrying it might be our last??  We realized that with the dense fog we’d need light so we each carved our pumpkins (hopefully they’d be scary enough to ward off evil powers), and we placed a lit candle within as our wicked-faced pumpkins sat on the bow of our SUPs and we began our journey.  First we had to dodge the thousands of masked children running rampant through the Keys, with their candies littering the streets.  As we launched in the unusually low tide, Karl was the first to strike bad fortune – he hit a large rock and went partially under – just enough to make for a cold and wet journey in soggy boots and wet trousers.  We struggled so to stay together because we knew if one of us separated in this heavy weather we might not reconnect again.  We encountered jumping fish, and our pumpkins bobbed and blinked uncontrollably and we worried as we heard occasional screams from the streets, but soldiered on, policing the waterways of the Keys for two-headed dark figures and various and sundry other monsters and creatures that have appeared on this very night just once a year.  Once we determined the Keys were safe for the children, we paddled home to bat and pumpkin painted cookies, relieved to make it out alive.  Hoping the rest of our crew were safe tonight, wherever they ended up………..

To the Pier!!

October 23, 2011 – Sunday Crunch

Got a call early Sunday morning from Kim who reported conditions are great for a paddle to the Ventura Pier. Camille and Betsy flew out of bed, cleaned up and raced to Kim and Karl’s at the Keys. We have learned to just keep the boards loaded on the car (love the new locking Thule SUP Taxi racks!) to shorten prep time for early adventures. When we got to their house, they were loaded up – we headed to Marina Park, unloaded and paddled towards the Ventura Harbor entrance. We checked out conditions – calm glass with limited visibility. We all agreed it was a go and paddled eagerly past the breakwater where the morning meeting of pelicans was now in session. As we paddled into the calm open seas, we encountered brown pelicans plunging headfirst into the cool waters to retrieve their breakfast. We paddled close together at first with a careful watch on the hazy coastline to track our progress, as the pier was hidden from sight, shrouded in fog. Karl split from the gals and paddled close to the breaking waves and returned to report small surf – he can paddle twice as fast as us so it’s hard to keep him on a steady path! Betsy was content on her little Starboard, Kim on her Naish, Karl on the Hobie – each of us now with 100s of miles under our belts. Camille has entered the SUP world more recently and her stamina was strong as she kept up on the new bamboo Surftech board. The swells were gentle so it made for good “catching up” time as we paddled steadily towards our goal. We passed jetty after jetty till finally out of the misty fog the pilings of the pier emerged and we celebrated with a short break, trying to avoid the fishing lines and checked out the underside of the pier and took some pics. There were several kayakers out by now and outriggers enjoying the morning seas. It’s amazing how when you see only fog your other senses become more active as you pick up the freeway sounds and nature’s voices of the seagulls and waves as you get closer to shore. The paddle back was smooth with a light breeze helping us ease back to the harbor. We decided our next trip should be a camp-trip to Catalina so we can explore that island by SUP. By now the conversation was centered mainly on our next meal and as we returned to the harbor, besides being interrupted by an oystercatcher (pictured) sighting and our mascot harbor seal greeting us, it was decided that our next stop would be Andria’s Seafood. Good call. Another 5+ miles of paddling to add to the books.

Now, a corporate matter to attend to. After today’s 5+ mile ocean paddle, Camille qualifies as a waterwoman and is officially a member of the Give A Dam crew (picture and bio to follow). Welcome to our world, Camille!

California Coast Adventure

First stop on the California Coast Adventure was to pick up Nick from LAX, then it was off to Venice Beach. Wow, the ocean was beautiful and the people cruising the boardwalk were characters. Let’s just say we stayed for a total of 35 minutes! We appreciate the Ventura coast a lot more.  

Nick and I decided to take Hwy 1 to go along with the perfect sunshiny day. As we arrived to Ventura we couldn’t help but run as fast as we could to the beach and soak up a few rays.

The next day we left Ventura at 5:30am to head towards Morro Bay, Karl was scheduled to work for the Harbor Festival that brought in thousands of tourist to the sleepy town of Morro Bay. Usually along this drive the scenery is gray and foggy, however somehow Nick brought the sunshine from Denver, Colorado to make the weekend even more perfect.

Betsy, Camille, Nick and I couldn’t wait to get our SUP’s in the glassy water. Can you believe these photos were taken at 8:30am in Morro Bay!

As we explored the Morro Bay Estuary, some of the wildlife we came across include: Giant Bat Rays, Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, Crabs, White Pelicans, Snow Plover, Hermit Crabs, Anchovies, Jellyfish and Sardines. After the five-hour paddle and grueling wind along with a bit of sandblasting we made it back to Coleman Beach and was ready to set up camp at Morro Bay State Park. We had a wonderful campsite (#107) that held three large tents along with all of our gear. (Yes, we did have way more gear for one night than we did on our 5 day trip down the Colorado River, Lake Mohave, NV.) Still can’t figure out that mystery!

While we waiting for Karl to get off work and Kristi to arrive from surfing with friends in Big Sur, we made seafood kabob’s for appetizers from a local fish market “The Dockside,” which included Shrimp, Scallops and Ahi Tuna. They were delicious and even with Nick’s great seasoning tricks, a little dirt don’t hurt! Then we made Calzone’s in the Dutch oven and tested Betsys’ new birthday gift, a 10″ dutch oven with the Cherry Cobbler. Let’s just say no one goes hungry on our camping trips.

The next day, Karl went off to work at 6am we made tasty breakfast burritos’ with Nick’s orange muffins and set out for another day of SUPing and Hiking. Kristi, Nick and I left from the Morro Bay Marina and went towards Los Osos to check out the Oyster Aqua Culture Barges then explore the sand pit. By the after noon the fog rolled in and we headed towards Montana De Oro State park for Lunch, boulder scrambling and a hike. Along our hike we came across a little orange and black snake, a bright orange legless lizard and plenty of beautiful vantage points to look out over the oceans and cliffs.

The next day Nick and I we in need of some much-needed down time to heal our sunburns and wind chapped lips. However by 8:30am, Betsy hooked us up with some tickets to The Channel Islands aboard the Island Packers touring company to Santa Cruz Island. So we lathered up with sunblock, packed our lunch and dry clothes and headed toward the Ventura Harbor. The boat ride was great and neither of us got sick, which was amazing since that was Nick’s first time on the ocean in a boat.

As we hiked the windy coastline of Santa Cruz Land we enjoyed the looking over the cliffs at the sealions playing the ocean through the kelp forest. We only had a couple of hours to hike and ending up looking a Potato Bay Overlook. What a sight! Along the way back to Scorpion Bay we saw an Island fox scavenging at the historic ranch.

We loaded the Island Packer boat and enjoyed a few zzz’s before we woke up to a huge pod of more than a thousand Common Dolphins playing next to the boat chasing after a large bait ball only 5 miles off the coast of Ventura. What a wonderful weekend!

Adventure at Sea

This past Sunday, Karl and I paddled from Goleta Pier to Hendry’s Beach in Santa Barbara. We had the awesome opportunity to SUP next to a swimmer that was apart of a club that swims this six-mile stretch of the coastline every year. The wildlife was spectacular! The Sea Lions, Seals, bait fish and pelicans were encouraging us along the way.

 This was a lot different from the beautiful calm waters of Lake Mohave. The most challenging section of the paddle was the side/frontal wind chop along with the usual 3-4 foot ocean swell. About half way through I could not see the other kayakers as the ocean swell created a dance of 5 foot swell that would bring me up and the others down. Over half the paddle we have to use multiple paddling techniques, thank you to the 63 mile trip last year. From our knees to sitting on our butts, with our legs in and with them out we cruised along with our swimmer keeping him out of the large kelp masses and re-fueling him with gel pack, cliff bars and water for 2 hours and 45 minutes. He finished 1oth out of 31 swimmers. Some of the other swimmers times included over five hours. I’m not sure if we could have done that!

Monday

Monday, June 13, 2011.  By the time we crawl out of our tents, Kim and Karl had taken off to explore.  Kristi and I took off in the opposite direction towards Willow Beach, but our stomachs were like a magnet to the leftover cake.  It’s now our last day and we want to squeeze every last drop out of the day before packing up.  The battery on my camera dies as we approach Emerald Cove – oh, well, I have lots of pictures and Kim always has a great assortment of photos for all.  As we take off for Willow where the Jeep awaits us, Andrew, Kristi and Megan decide to investigate a historic trailsite.  The path was built in the 1930s to lead to the cables and cable cars that would take the river gaugers across to monitor the water levels.  It’s fascinating to imagine the solitary life of the men that worked the dam.  I try to image what it would be like today had the dams never interfered with the Colorado and the invasive species not taken over.  If the river still made it to the Sea of Cortez, wild and muddy and unpredictable.  If only.

 

It’s a tight and stinky ride back to Boulder City once we pack up the Jeep, sad to end this journey on the river but always good be back home.  Who wants to schedule the next trip-planning dinner at their house???