Kayaking & Drinking Hot Chocolate at Sea!

Even the afterglow had almost faded. The waves began to move the kayak up and down on the swells as I got closer to the sea. Passing the last tip of land, the Malibu Mountains presented themselves in a deep purple - about ten miles away across the dark sea. The sky was this mysterious dark blue and purple blend, mixed in with a tint of gold right above the water where the afterglow was quickly fading. I sat still on kayak, entranced by the beauty of the moment. About thirty minutes before this - while there was still light - I had left my slip in my kayak all ready to row out to sea. I had donned my life jacket and had a flashlight ready too - for when it got dark. I also had packed a bucket full of odds and ends at the back of the kayak behind my seat. Passing the tall sail ship 'Spirit of Dana Point', I had then headed for the shallows along the channel. At that time the sun had been setting but I had still seen all the shells and rocks below the surface of the water as I rowed above them. Soon I had kayaked almost all the way to the ocean and was near the breakwater. Now here I sat bewitched by the magic feeling of the sea and the mountains and sky. I couldn't resist raising my hands to God and thanking him!

Eventually I got moving again and paddled the double oar out into the bumpy waves. When out past the
breakwater, I paddled hard into the westward bound swell. I have to say, I have a fear of sharks being at sea in such a small boat (especially at night!) and for this reason, I don't like to stay out at sea for too long. So I went out a little ways - just far enough to get a good 'line up' of waves to 'surf' the kayak back into the harbor on! Then I turned the kayak as quickly around as I could to head back. At this turn, it is a little dangerous because for a moment or two, you find yourself broadsides to the waves. But after a successful turn, the next few minutes were exhilarating as I paddled with ferocity to keep atop the waves as they ran fast behind me. Soon white water ran below the kayak as the momentum kicked in and I began to surf! When I got in to a place where the marina and the sea met, I decided to rest, ride the waves out and have a hot cup of chocolate and watch the final light of day completely vanish. Taking out my thermos and cup and a packet of Hershey's hot chocolate (which I kept in the fishing bucket behind my seat), I then poured the hot water into my cup with the chocolate. Mmm! It tasted great! There's nothing like being warmed up from the inside out while its cold outside - and when you're surrounded by beauty. I can't say I ever remember being so close to the moving waves and drinking hot chocolate before! I mean, its great to have a warm drink aboard my sailboat too - but it definitely does not have such a feeling of vulnerability.

So when I was done, I headed back down the channel, stopping at some rocks that had an amazing little 'anchorage' of sorts for my kayak. There, a giant flat slab of rock lay just above the waters edge, with a little 'inlet' between two boulders to bring the kayak into. I enjoyed stopping there for a few moments - I guess for no other reason than because it sparked my imagination and made me feel like a kid again! As I then left there and continued on down the channel, I came across the 'Spirit of Dana Point once more - except this time only the stern lights inside the Captains Cabin were on - appearing like a scene from 'Pirates of the Carribean'! So I endulged the kid in me again and took some pictures with hope to show them off on my 'Pirate Albie' blog! (Which I did, and if you're interested to see that its: http://piratealbie.blogspot.com or click on my 'pirate' picture below :-)
Upon oaring my way (with great quietness) around the ship, I then made my way back to my sail boat slip and brought the kayak up on the dock. My night of adventure was over and I was thankful to have been out there and to have seen all the wonderful things and to be at my nice warm sailboat once more!

~Albie
PS: If you read this Post, feel free to leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you and your thoughts! :-D Thanks!