Bali Hai

I'll tell you a story...This pic is somewhat of an experiment on my camera's settings. Didn't really capture the image the way I saw it this morning. 

That is Isla Borracha (Drunk Woman Island), about 6 nautical miles NE of the mainland. It is my Bali Hai (if you know anything about old movies). It looked mysterious and beautiful the way the low angle light plays on those valleys. The first time I saw it, I wanted to go there.

One Sunday way back in early 2002, I paddled across in my kayak (Klepper Aerius II), alone, without telling anyone where I was going. It turned out to be a long open-water paddle that crossed a major shipping lane where I had to wait for a container ship to pass so I would not get run over. 

I thought there would be a place where I could buy lunch, like the other islands off the coast, but there was none; just a ramshackle fishing village, and a neat cove where people take their boats to picnic. 

Though I was bonking hard, I needed get back to the mainland, so I got back in the kayak and paddled back in choppy afternoon seas. I obvious made it back safely, but haven't tried that paddle again. 

Anyway, I still look at this island the same way every time I see it. Bali Hai!

Lee's Ferry with the Garros

Took a great 3-day/3-night trip up the Colorado River from Lee's Ferry (AZ) with the Garros. Amazing beauty in the landscape, the fish, the fishing, the paddling, the food, and the company. Great fun! 

The Route

Denise assembles the Long Haul Mark II (amazing boat!)

Denise and Steve fishing. Steve caught (and released) over 30 trout. We kept only the trout which were injured (gill mouth, swallowed hook, etc.)

Camp 1 at 6-mile. The U.S. Park Service only allows camping at designated places.

Incredible lunch on Day 2 at Lunch Lady beach (7 1/2 mile)

Fresh guacamole

Fresh trout fillets sauteed with onions

Where is Anthony Bourdain?

Fresh Mexican rice

Tasty trout gordita: fresh trout sauteed in onions, fresh guacamole, fresh Mexican rice, habanero hot sauce, on a small flour tortilla. Best food ever! We drank a big portion of our Tecate supply at this lunch stop. 

When ferrying across (a paddling technique) a riffle, I miscalculated, came up short, and was still in the riffle (barely) and had to get out of my kayak. In doing so, I rolled the kayak and my camera got wet so no pics until it started working again the next morning. Here is a test shot.

Barry in the canyon. FISH-ON!

Camera stayed stowed, so no pics until the end. Denise breaking down the Long Haul, and we are drinking beer. 

Camp 3 was away from the river in an area of big rocks. Incredible night sky! I've never seen the Milky Way quite so bright. 

Incredible trip! Just want to say thanks to Steve, Denise, and Barry for the great experience. 

Carnival! [Day 4]

Last day of Carnival so got up and went out for a ride. Did some climbing, descending, then just riding around and saw some interesting things.

A genuine Klein Attitude (not a Colombian knock-off) circa 1995-1996. The owner is one of the few who recognized my Merlin for what it is. He was impressed though he thought the single speed thing was a bit strange.

Attitude

Another cool thing was seeing someone out paddling a kayak...another rare sight. Not too many kayakers around considering the area in which we live. (I need to get out in my kayak and paddle more.)

Yellow kayak

Went to the fish market and bought a la branche (flathead mullet, Mugli cephalus). Good in fish soup, or fried, they are a very tasty salt-water fish. I went home and Tania fried a couple of pieces for my lunch. Nice!

Not a very good photo

Spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready to head back El Tigre.

More Pics

Bikes at Signal Peak

Nathan blasting down the CD Trail at 007 Signal Peak

Kayak beach on Isla Mono

Paddling the Klepper

Taxi Boat

I just want to post something. Here's some pics I've taken over the past couple of years. These were taken with my Canon A530.

Paddling and Snorkelling

I am back in Venezuela (arrived Aug 23). I've been working for about two weeks now. I took my Klepper out for a paddle this past Sunday. In the front seat was Matt, the new teacher at school. I figured I would show him another part of Venezuela besides El Tigre.

I like paddling the Klepper. It is a stable, forgiving boat, but still fairly fast across the water. We paddled to the "Hemmingway House" at La Piscina, and paddled around Isla Arapo. Here are a few pics.