We actually had a great time. Following a pleasant drive through the hills south of SF we found ourselves at Half Moon Bay, a surfer's paradise and a haven for the local fishing fleet. The catch of the day was being sold from the decks by fishermen and, after a short talk by tour naturalist Susan, we boarded the Salty Lady and struck out into the brine.
Aquatic fauna was a little scarce. The grey whales are migrating from the Arctic down to Mexico, where I imagine they're already knocking back margaritas and enjoying the warmer climate. We were lucky enough to see some pelicans, and a couple of harbour porpoises, but the main attraction was nowhere around. This led Hannah to instead smugly count the people who were being seasick. The British are a hardy, seafaring race. The Americans, it seems, are not.
Results from the trip:
Whale watchers onboard: 15
Mad sea kayakers a mile from shore: 5
Pelicans: 6
Seals: 1
Harbour porpoises: 4
Seagulls: lots
Floating log: 1
Seaweed: a bit
People who were sick: 5
Whales: 0
Princeton-by-the-Sea on Half Moon Bay.
Our whale boat. Mum was going to ask where the harpoons were, but chickened out...
Brown pelicans!
A life on the ocean wave.
Looking east at California shores.
Mum and the Pacific.
Actually I lied, because I did spot one whale. And he was even good enough to smile when I took his photo!
