It has been 0ver 10 years since my passion for sea-kayaking gave way to my passion for sailing and maintaining a folkboat, then the ownership and remodeling of a 1897 Victorian in West Oakland and most recently, to surfing. But all are connected with cultural histories and rich traditions of craftsmanship and of course, the ocean (which will most likely come through my Victorian home sometime soon as it is just 8′ above high water mark!). So I thought it was about time to get back into a kayak and get into the Bay – thanks to the crew at California Canoe and Kayak – a Jack London instistution!
Head West!
Oakland has such a great industrial port. There are huge chunks of steel in crazy colors from all over the world temporarily passing through Oakland. You have to keep your eyes open as some of them do u-turns the middle of the Estuary, heaved about by giant tugs, whose backwash is enough to make your sit up and notice.
The ships are astounding – the scale, the vibrant colors, the textures revealing the structures beneath, the markings which are a mix of signage and the patina, and the various pieces of equipment, portholes, and apertures seeping strange stains! Delicious! And then there is all the human history and thinking about exploration movement, transport, the size of the world, sustainability.
And on top of all that its sunny out and the seals seem friendly!
Some images from the waterline!
Red Hull
Blue Hull
Dry dock
CGM Libra #2
CGM Libra
Blue Hull
And the dock works and shoreline flotsam and jetsam can be engaging too.
Dry dock
Tug snout
Fender
What’s not to like?
“Concrete and rubber and steel, Oh my!”
