Kayaking in Moss Landing

Kayaking to see wildlife in Monterey. I wanted to do it while I lived in California, but I didn't have a chance. During 2021 winter trip we had an opportunity. Why not try it? 

We looked up and found Monterey Bay Kayaks for rentals. For 4 hours, $35/person for 2-person kayak. Not a cheap option, but it is worth it. This includes life jackets, wet suits. Staff were friendly. 

Sea otter

Got ready and we went out for the water! First part was a little rough, because it is in the ocean. Once we entered the slough part, it was much calmer and peaceful. The most exciting part is wildlife! During kayaking we saw total at least 50 sea otters!!! Some were swimming, some were catching fish, some were sleeping, some are floating. All of them looked happy and enjoying the water. I had never seen so many sea otters in a day!

Excitement is not only the number of sea otters. We saw sea otter babies! In the below picture you might be able to spot fluffy baby on the mother's belly. I believe both of them are mother + baby. 

Sea otter baby

 

seals

Another wildlife I enjoyed are harbor seals. Most seals were sun bathing on the shore. We also spotted several seals swimming in the water. In the left picture a number of seals are sleeping. One of them looking over the water. One black one in the front is half body in the water and sleeping. Cute cute! 

The next picture below is the swimming seal. Good at swimming in the water, but also good at swimming with head above water. 

 

 

swimming seal

In California, there is no problem kayaking at the end of December! In New England all rivers and lakes are frozen and no way to kayak. It was a good destination to go to West in winter.

Montaña de Oro State Park

 Came back to Pacific Ocean! During 2021 winter trip, we decided to visit some people in California: why not go for hiking on the way then!?

Mr.N chose Montaña de Oro State Park. Mr.N is from Montana. What is the connection? He chose this particular park due to that. As you may know, Montaña means mountain in Spanish. Since California was a part of Mexico, a lot of nature stuff is called with Spanish.

We arrived at night at the park and camped at the campground inside the park (we had a reservation). This car campground is not really close to beach or ocean view, but it was spacious and still able to hear some wave sounds. Admittedly, Big Sur campground is much more attractive than this one, in terms of ocean view, but we stayed there for accommodation. 

Next morning, we saw a cat coming out from RV. That is my dream----road trip with an adventurous cat! This was my second time a cat came out of RV. First time was in New Zealand! Now RV road trip with a cat is becoming a trend?

Hiking up the hill

Anyway we started hiking to go to Valencia Peak. The highest hill in the park. As a typical California weather pattern, it was cloudy in the early morning. So the ocean was a bit gray, but still a good view. I had forgotten the weather pattern of this. Later on blue sky came out. Good timing--we started walking along the ocean. Bluff trail is about 5 miles or so, is quite nice to see blue ocean.

Arch Rock

 

Ocean and the rugged cliff creates such a nice view. I liked the view in the above picture especially. There is an arch rock! Arch rock is fragile and someday it will collapse, so I feel lucky to see it. This Pacific Ocean's blue is always my rout. Being from an island in Pacific Ocean, my DNA always feel home with this blue!

Sea otter

Another very exciting thing about Bluff trail is that you can spot sea otters. Some spots you can see 15 sea otters of group. I think that I saw total more than 50 sea otters. According to Ms.L, sea otters in this area were gone for a while, but now they came back again. It is good. 

Next day we visited Mr.N's uncle and aunt, Mr.E and Mrs.G. It was first time in five years to see them. We had sushi takeout, watched documentary, had poke, went to Mexican place. A lot of enjoyment. Kindly Mr.E let each of us drive his Tesla! Whoa. First time in life. There are so much information on the panel at front. It was fun driving Tesla along the Pacific coast in Monterey. How many lucky people can do that in the world?

Then we visited another Mr.N's aunt Ms.H. We visited San Luis National Wildlife Refuge to look at Tule Elk. It was a driving tour. I had never done driving tour in the park. It was interesting. It was nice to see elk protected: at the same time a little sad to see elk was locked in a way, although it is a huge area. Then we went to Merced National Wildlife Refuge next day, I had never seen so many many many birds in a day. This is definitely a unique place to go if you are in the area.