Whirlwind

My apologies for all who follow my blog for my lack of blogging.  This year seems to have been a whirlwind of on and off water activity.  Overall, I have to say that Life is not good . . . it is GREAT!!!  Here's a little of what's been up and what to look forward to in my blog in the remaining months of 2013.

Terrestrial pursuits - yes those that know me know that I am as at home in the forest and trails as well as on the water.  This summer and fall, I have almost religiously mountain biked twice a week.  Bombing through the forests of the Mendocino Coast is one of my favorite things in the world.  It is also great for fitness and mental clarity.  In September, one of my riding buddies and I ventured into the Sierra Nevada's for a change of scenery.  Hole in the Ground Trail near Truckee was one of our best rides of the season.  Rock gardening in granite on two wheels was challenging and fun.

Hole in the Ground

Also in September, I enrolled in a semester course in dendrology - the study of wooded plants (trees).  Learning the nuances of tree identification and scientific names has definitely been stretching my brain.  A new game that I have started is mentally reciting the scientific names of the plants that I see when mountain biking up a long grade.  Yes, I admit that I am a geeky science nerd.

Can you name this plant?

Of course, fall is mushroom season on the Mendocino Coast.  Another new game for fall is the post-ride weigh-in.

Boletus edulis

Of course followed by post-ride refueling with food from the forest.

And fresh veggies from the garden

On the water, I have done a lot of guiding and coaching this year.  The positive feedback from my students about a specific technique or tip that I have helped them with has been really exciting and stoked me out on coaching paddlers.  Like my days in the classroom, I have tried to find that one key skill that a student needs to accelerate in their learning - it seems to be clicking for me in my coaching.

No hat, no helmet - definitely a rare moment.

All summer, our beloved Black Pearl (Valley Gemini SP)was in the shop so I was back in my Valley Avocet RM for teaching.  I got to do a couple of fun sea kayak trips including paddling the stellar Area 10-13 with friends Jim and Tess but most of my play time this summer and fall has continued to be surfing my Necky Jive.  Yes, the Jive has been my go to surf toy as Jeff and I search for an hp surf kayak for me.  This summer I worked up to dropping on bigger, steeper waves.

In October, Jeff and I once again ventured north to Pacific City, Oregon for the 5th annual Lumpy Waters Kayak Symposium.  I dare say that this was the best one ever.  The weather and paddling conditions were excellent, the students were open minded and eager learners, and the coaching staff was top notch.

Sunny, warm, and small surf on the Oregon Coast for Lumpy Waters.

Of course, I am a bit excited to share that 3 new toys came home with us from Lumpy Waters.  Stay tuned for my reports on them.  First will be my report on the new polyethylene Valley Gemini SP.   It has inspired me to want to rock garden and surf more in a sea kayak and has lit a fire under Jeff to finish up the repairs on the Black Pearl.

So this is a little of what I have been up to and why my blog has been a bit quiet.  Yes, I have been learning lots and have lots to share.  Some gear reviews are next on my plate for blog posts.

Life isn't good - Life is GREAT!!!  Thanks for reading and hanging with me on life's adventures.

Sea Kayaking Mendocino's Area 10-13

At the end of August, Jeff and I took a day off to play with our friends Jim and Tess.  We sea kayaked a stretch of the Mendocino Coast that we call Area 10-13.

Area 10-13 has some of the coolest sea caves to kayak in on the Mendocino Coast.

Delving into the darkness.

Many of the sea caves are tunnels that cut through the headlands.

Jeff traveling under headlands instead of around them.

Multiple opens make for interesting paddling.  One of our favorites is called Lex's Labyrinth.

Tess exiting Lex's Labyrinth.

Some of the caves have play features.  This cave has a fun wash-over.

Jim Kakuk styles it in his Tsunami X-15.

This arch leads to a hidden cove.

The gang returns from a lunch break in the hidden cove.

But the day wasn't all about kayaking through spectacular sea caves, we enjoyed each other's company, a beautiful day, and exceptional wildlife sightings- including porpoises and river otters.

A river otter hunting for lunch.

Feeding the Soul

Surfing Feeds My Soul

Woman on Water

Please forgive the lack of writing this month/year.  I truly have been a woman on water.  Most recently my adventures have been teaching and guiding on the Mendocino Coast for Liquid Fusion Kayaking.  As summer begins, we have become quite busy.  Today I had a couple of moments to reflect on the magic of what I get to do.

Our dry and mild wildlife watching kayak tours are popular with families and first time kayakers.  After one of my tours this week, an 8 year old told me that he loved kayaking and it was his best day ever.

A dry and mild family kayak trip on the Mendocino Coast

We also had a 64 year old tell us the same thing.  Today we had a mother and 3 daughters out rock gardening on our Whitewater of the Sea Adventure.  Mom got the biggest ride of the day.

A wet and wild ocean kayak adventure on the Mendocino Coast

I can't wait to hear what the 3 brothers say.

Whether mild or wild, each day brings new adventures.

I encourage everyone to live outside the box and get out on the water.

Cate in her Valley Gemini SP Sea Kayak.

Or in it!!!