Environmental Volunteers - Eric McKee - October 2013

Eric McKee Leads EcoCenter Canoe Trip
October 20, 2013

The Environmental Volunteers (EV) EcoCenter occupies a renovated Sea Scout building by the edge of San Francisco Bay, in the Palo Alto Baylands. EV Educational Programs Coordinator, Eric McKee, recently led a small group canoe trip from the nearby Palo Alto Baylands boat launch (Sailing Station) area. I joined the participants, and we heard about water sampling and bay ecosystems. We saw tiny, wriggling amphipods that shorebirds feast upon, as well as circular indentations in the mud made by bat rays. Perhaps best of all, we experienced the Bay from a different perspective -- gliding through water channels and around islands of marsh vegetation, from shorebird eye level. I later asked Eric a few questions.

What were your first impressions of the San Francisco Bay?

My first impressions of the San Francisco Bay were of the salt ponds of the southern San Francisco Bay. It seemed strange to me that so much habitat was being used for essentially agriculture, for growing salt. Being from the east coast, I was also so intrigued by the diversity of wildlife that utilizes the Bay, so many different species of ducks and waterfowl, coexisting with shorebirds, and pelicans, and from time to time, even sharks and seals!

What is your favorite craft/boat, or preferred way to get around and experience San Francisco Bay?

(I like walking, but) my favorite way to get around the Bay (on the water) is by canoe. They are such stable crafts; you get to be so close to the water, and having been in them in freshwater ponds as a kid, I feel very comfortable in them, even if my butt gets wet from time to time. Also you can put a lot of gear and snacks in them.

Are visitors to the EV EcoCenter surprised by what they see or learn about the Baylands?

I find that visitors to the Baylands are often surprised by two things: first by the variation in the environment due to the tides. Depending on the time of year (and orientation of earth, sun, and moon), the tide can rise and fall over eight feet as the Bay's waters ebb and flow. People sometimes look at me like I have two heads as we look out over the open water, and I tell them that in a few hours, there will be open mudflats, with a slight trickling path (water channel) meandering through the sloughs.

Second, the wildlife -- mainly the marine life. Here in the southern San Francisco Bay, we can play host to freshwater fishes like salmon and trout, as well as oceanic creatures like leopard sharks and bat rays. They are out foraging in the waters of the Baylands every single day. After all, we are connected to the vast Pacific Ocean; so why not?

Do you find visitors have any misconceptions about the Bay?

I think people are surprised to realize just how important the marshlands of the San Francisco Bay are to our way of life, and their importance to wildlife and biodiversity. Our marshlands are habitats for two federally endangered species, as well as several threatened species, and are important migratory staging locations for birds, some traveling all the way from South America! After hearing that, people are generally shocked to find that over 90% of wetlands surrounding the San Francisco Bay have been lost over time, but thankfully with efforts like the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, and SF Bay Water Trail, people will have increased access and opportunities to enjoy what remains, while growing a promising future for this ecosystem.

Any unusual sightings you've experienced, or heard about?

I have heard of many people sighting pink flamingos feeding on brine shrimp in the salt ponds - but have not had the pleasure to sight them. My favorite animal I have seen in action was a Belted Kingfisher, perched in a cottonwood tree above a slough, diving into the water. I was taken back by the action of its flight, its unique body shape, and the fact that this bird had such an easy time going from the tree to under the water and back again.

Do you have a favorite spot in the San Francisco Bay?

Currently, the Palo Alto Baylands are my favorite spot because I get to work in a building adjacent to them, but I also love looking out at the newly restored areas along the Dumbarton bridge and seeing all of the egrets, pelicans, shorebirds, and waterfowl.

What would you tell people about the new San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail?

I am excited at the prospect of increasing access to recreational opportunities with the Water Trail. Specifically, the City of Palo Alto and their Open Space Rangers, will be looking at making the Baylands boat launch more accessible for Handicap persons, and I am hopeful that with these projects, even more people will be out enjoying this incredibly unique local resource.  

Sup. Dave Cortese - Day on the Bay in Alviso - Oct. 2013

Photo: Dave Cortese website

Supervisor Dave Cortese Discusses the Water Trail, Alviso

October 8, 2013

This interview was spurred by the fourth annual Day on the Bay (October 13, 2013), in Alviso, CA, at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. While overlapping with San Jose, CA, Alviso has a special history all its own, and (the Alviso Marina) will be celebrated as a designated Water Trail site this week. Supervisor Dave Cortese, a founder of the Day on the Bay celebration, was excited about Alviso's rich cultural past as well as the area's bright prospects for the future.

I caught up with the busy Santa Clara County Supervisor, who represents District 3, by phone.

(Note: after the interview, this post was updated on Oct. 20, '13, to include photos of the Day on the Bay 2013. Photos appear below. The event was a success, and several dozens of people waited in line for kayak rides after the Alviso Marina site was officially designated.)

How did you become interested in the San Francisco Bay Trail and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail? 

"(I'm) one of the Supervisors who has a lot of assignments at the regional level. I was appointed to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and was the president of ABAG for (a while). I then was appointed to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and various committees.

I received a report on the Water Trail and a Powerpoint presentation, and became interested. I was chairing a meeting and talked with Laura Thompson (ABAG SF Bay Trail project mgr.) about following up on (promoting) the County Marina (in Alviso). "Do we qualify for being a part of this (Water Trail)?" I thought.

In a perfect world, what would be your vision of the San Francisco Bay Water Trail?

I have a desire for Alviso to be (the) South Bay's version of (what) the Bay should be.

Each of the major cities have, as part of their identity, a port, e.g. Port of Oakland, or San Francisco;  and we have lesser versions of the same kind of relationships (Redwood City). Then you have San Jose, a large city, with lots of bayfront. (And) it's a big secret.

I noticed that you're involved in the Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club. What are you seeing in the next generation of leaders that might help ?

Alviso - Day on the Bay

Yes, young people in Alviso are aware (about the Bay and climate change). It's in their back yards. I visited Alviso schools where they were very close to the water. The embrace the shoreline.

Those kids are no different than the other 450,000 (approximate #) of other kids in Santa Clara County. It's almost tragic. There is a dramatic underutilization of a natural resource. It's a perfect natural laboratory -- and one way to put Alviso back on the map,... (we haven't had something like this) since the days of Jack London.*

The South Bay can become perhaps the best recreation access point, with nature, the marine ecosystem (that we have). It's a great opportunity to create a place (on the Trail) where we have sunshine almost year round. We have a marine access point to Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge (DEWR, aka Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge) that we haven't capitalized on in Santa Clara County.

I talk to kids -- in Santa Cruz, San Diego, other cities (water is a major part of their identity, yet it hasn't caught on here). Yet, when you look at what we built -- bay access to DEWR. There isn't any major city that has that.

Do you have a favorite water craft of type of boat (kayak, canoe?) that you, or your family, have enjoyed taking out on the Bay?

No, I'm not really there quite yet. I love getting outdoors, as much as my schedule permits. I do have two boys, who may be interested. We'll probably get into this soon.

Are there any misunderstandings that the public seem to have about the Bay Trail or the Water Trail that prevent them from fully enjoying these public resources?

(There is a) basic lack of information. For example, there was a big car show last week. I was meeting with some people there. And one of the kids asked where (the Bay Trail, Marina and Water Trail) were? This, even though we were just a few miles away.

Just designating Alviso (as part of the Water Trail on Sunday, October 13), will help increase awareness. (Kayakers will be there at the unveiling to paddle from the marina out into the Bay. See photos.)

The last two photographs of kayaks at Alviso (taken before the event): Courtesy of Galli Basson

*Famous author Jack London used to boat down to Alviso. Supervisor Cortese mentioned old photographs that show Alviso's rich history. "Wedding receptions were held there, groups of judges hung out there, there were farm families (who influenced the area)." Cortese acknowledged that some may have been put off by the large sewage treatment plant that was built in the area; but there are many other things to see (such as the educational center by the water, walking trails (Bay Trail, Guadalupe River Trail), and the historic town of Alviso itself).

Kayaking the Water Trail with Galli Basson - Aug. 2013

Kayaking in Oakland with Galli Basson
August 6, 2013

I can think of no better person to talk about the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail than Water Trail Planner, Galli Basson. We kayaked together in Oakland and discussed the Water Trail. We started at California Canoe and Kayak (in Jack London Square) and headed south, paddling around Coast Guard Island and back. Thank you Galli for the helpful updates and kayak tips.

WTS: Tell me about Galli Basson, and how you came to be working on the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail?

GB: My background is in biology; I have a masters degree in Environmental Studies, and did research on the Bay. Previously, I worked as an open space planner, and I really liked planning trails.

I was attracted to the Water Trail because it was new and cutting edge. I was drawn to the opportunity to be creative and shape something new.

WTS: What is the SF Bay Area Water Trail, and what inspired the concept?

GB: Sometimes it's hard to describe. I tell people the Water Trail (WT) is a network of sites around the Bay where people in non-motorized small boats can access the Bay. It's not necessarily linear; people can go in any direction. It supports a wide variety of crafts and experiences -- from mild to wild.

The WT is also about information - about getting information to people about the sites, safety, about wildlife, and about connecting people to each other, to clubs and outfitters.

It started with a group of human-powered boaters representing all kinds of crafts: wind surfers, kayakers, all types. They saw they were losing access to sites due to development or just due to deterioration. So they banded together, and they realized a comprehensive approach was what was needed to save access; and they formed a non-profit called Bay Access.

Bay Access is still active, and involved with implementation.

Long term, the WT will continue to benefit from continuing involvement of a non-profit, especially when it comes to developing stewardship programs.

WTS: How do I find the Water Trail, and is it designed for different types of boats?

GB: Right now the best way to find it is to go to the Water Trail website. We have information on classes, where you can rent craft, all the different clubs and recreation programs, safety, wildlife you can see, and of course the sites we have designated.

And, yes, the WT has been designed to support multiple types of boats.

Soon, you'll be able to find our (Water Trail) signs at the launch sites. And eventually we'll have a paddle-friendly lodging network, as well as a stewardship program for people who are interested in getting involved.

WTS: What is your favorite, or personal, water craft of choice?

GB: My husband and I own kayaks and we've had a ball exploring the Bay. I love being out on the water. But, one of my goals is to try all the different boat types.

WTS: What advice do you have for those wanting to explore the Water Trail?

GB: I would suggest that people take classes, join a club, or go on a guided tour the first time. There's a lot to learn before going out on the Bay, about currents, weather, tides, cold water, and boating around other vessels. But there are ways to do it safely and you can learn the skills. There are some very family friendly locations on the Bay and there are some more wild locations on the Bay.

(Editors note: Certain "friendly" sites may become more challenging with changes in the weather. But, qualitative descriptions of sites provide a good starting point.)

WTS: What has surprised or delighted you most about this project? What are the biggest misconceptions people have about the Water Trail?

GB: What surprises me is how diverse the Bay is and how many world class experiences can be had so close to home.

A common misconception about the WT is that we will build these access sites. Many of these sites are existing sites; and our job is not to build the trail but instead to improve the facilities, provide information to the public, foster partnerships, and participate in regional planning of access to the Bay.

Coquina - Boat Building in SF - July 2013

Boat Building at The Workshop Residence
July 11, 2013

While walking the San Francisco Bay Trail (Candlestick Point, with a subsequent stop in Dogpatch, San Francisco, for food and drink treats) earlier this week, we passed by The Workshop Residence on 22nd Street, a few blocks inland from the Bay Trail. We peered through a crack in a door and were invited in (thank you Braden Earp).

The Workshop Residence is a unique concept that invites participation (and practical constructions) from different professional artists each month, and shares proceeds of sales with said artists. This month, July 2013, focused on boat building.

The boat being built inside, from locally sourced woods, was the 17-foot row/sailboat, the Coquina, originally designed in 1889 by Nathanael Herreshoff.

During this month (July 2013), boatbuilder and educator, Aaron Turner, is hosting 12 students per day ($50/day, $1,000 USD for all 4 weeks), leading them through the process of building the Coquina. All tools and materials were being provided, and no prior experience was required. For those reading this post this week, this looks like a blast, and I hope you're able to find out more. Space is limited, and if you're interested, contact The Workshop Residence, at 415.285.2050. Or contact The Workshop Residence in San Francisco.

Link for reserving a space:
http://theworkshopresidence.myshopify.com/collections/boatbuilding-workshop-the-coquina/products/boatbuilding-workshop-the-coquina

Open house to be held this evening, July 11, 2013. Aaron Turner will be there until the end of this month. Below is a short interview with this talented teacher and designer, who is based in Santa Monica, CA.

Interview with Aaron Turner:

Q: What is your (water) craft of choice?
A: Anything that sails.

Q: How did you become interested in this type of craft/boat?
A: As a kid I remember picking my sister up in different ports on the eastern seaboard. She spent some time sailing on tall ships. I figured if I wanted to go sailing I better learn how to build boats.

Q: What parts of San Francisco Bay do you like best?
A: Anywhere you have access with a small boat. Having spent only a short time here in San Francisco, I am still discovering and exploring quite a bit. It was encouraging to see several spots in the Dogpatch neighborhood (of San Francisco) where you could put in.

Q: What makes what you do unique?
A: Next month I will be doing something different. (After this month's stay ends at The Workshop Residence.)

Q: What else would you like people to know?
A: I have been building and restoring wooden boats on and off for 24 years. The boat we are building at The Workshop Residence is the 29th boat building project I have been part of. The boat is a "Coquina" reproduction. Designed by Nathanael Herreshoff and built (in) 1889 (in) Bristol, Rhode Island, by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. The type of boat and rig is a Cat Ketch. The steering is a continuous line, no tiller. Its length 16'8" x 5'0" and is lapstrake construction. The woods in the boat are Port Orford Cedar, White Oak, and Douglas Fir. The sails were made by sail maker Douglas Fowler and the hardware by JM Reineck and Son.

I asked Aaron if these boats were SF Bay worthy, and he replied yes, certainly in some areas. They might also be towed to other areas up-river, up the delta, perhaps. He also mentioned other local (SF Bay Area) boat builders (John Muir, SF Maritime Museum), and related trips and activities...Thank you Aaron for providing more ideas and information for future Water Trail Stories.

More about Aaron and the Coquina
Below are links to more information about Aaron and the boat he is building:
http://theworkshopresidence.com/residents/aaron-turner
http://theworkshopresidence.com/residents/aaron-turner/projects/boatbuilding-workshop-colon--the-coquina

Photos: Boat (Coquina) in water with sails up, is from The Workshop Residence website. Image of San Francisco Bay Water Trail map is from San Francisco Bay Water Trail website.

Alameda Shipping Channel - Nov. 2012

Alameda - Amidst the Ships  
November 27, 2012

I recently went out on a sailboat with Ken Hauck in Alameda. We experienced the veritable calm before an advancing storm; it was a dark afternoon, with slivers of sunlight on the water.

It was so calm, in fact, we decided to motor out of the channel instead of hoisting the sails. We headed roughly north toward the San Francisco Bay Bridge (that spans between San Francisco and Oakland, with Treasure Island in between). We crossed under the bridge and turned around, returning to Alameda just in time to view a great sunset.

A small map (by Studio L'Image) insert shown (above right) shows the general area where we were today. The map can be seen in its entirety at SF Bay Water Trail site.

When I walked along the Bay Trail (on the shore) near the Port, I marveled at the variety of different boats moving to and fro in such a narrow channel (that can be barely seen on this small map). Some kayakers venture into this shipping channel where we were today, but I felt a bit safer seeing this area by larger boat.

Red spots on the map indicate access facilities/ramps in place; black dots indicate possible future put in and take out spots. The closest red dot to where we were was the Tidewater Boating Center.

The real fun was seeing all the working ships and crafts of all sorts in this industrial area. On the way out of the Alameda Marina we caught sight of Coast Guard Island across the channel on the Oakland side, and three large USCG ships that were docked there. We passed some houseboats, and caught glimpses of Jack London Square.

We also maneuvered around large container ships going in and out of the Port of Oakland. It was a great spot different types of tug boats at work. International container ships loaded flats of cars like they were small toys.

Ken originally learned to sail in the Eastern U.S., in 1973, and when he moved west to work in the technology industry he started sailing in the San Francisco Bay in 2003.

He feels a connection to the Alameda area -- a location that allows easy access to some of the best sailing on the West Coast. I asked Ken some questions about what he liked best about his boat and sailing in the Bay.

What type of boat to you have?
It's a 1979 Catalina 38. It's noteworthy because the hull was designed by naval architectural firm, Sparkman and Stephens. It's a design made to conform to the IOR racing rules prevalent in the 1970s, and it used to be the class boat for the Congressional Cup match race in Southern California.

What do you like best about your boat?
It's a good size to sail SF Bay, it handles the typical high summer winds well, and it's big enough to be stable and comfortable for the usual waves in the Bay. Because of its racing heritage, it's also fun to sail!

What do you like best about being out on San Francisco Bay?
Everything! The views, the great sailing winds, the weather and sharing it all with friends.


Is there anything about the Alameda area (where you keep your boat) special for you?
It's where I was introduced to SF Bay sailing when I dropped in at an open house at the Catalina dealer in Marina Village and found my boat. It has great services for boaters and it's fun going out the channel past other marinas, Jack London Square (Oakland), the old Navy airfield (Alameda), and the Oakland container shipping docks.


Are there any trends or changes you've noticed since you've been sailing on SF Bay?
Not really; it feels about the same as in 2003. But I have enjoyed watching the Bay Bridge getting built, and also some of the development south of Market (Street) in San Francisco.

Any memories or stories you'd like to share about being on the Bay?
Lots of memories, mostly good times with friends. Watching the Blue Angels (jets) perform near Alcatraz during Fleet Week. Sailing to Angel Island to picnic and spend the night moored in the cove. Seeing lots of marine life, including sea lions, sea otters, dolphins and even a pair of humpback whales once near Angel Island.

Image of San Francisco Bay Water Trail map is from San Francisco Bay Water Trail website.

Building Tule Boats - November 2012

The Original San Francisco Bay Water Trail 
November 17,  2012

A few centuries ago, several tribes in California made canoe-like boats from bundles of tule (reeds) that had been cut, dried and woven together. These tule boats, and sometimes rafts, were used for hunting, fishing and transportation in and around San Francisco Bay.

I became interested in tule boats when I saw them on display in museums and visitors centers during my 1,000 mile walk around San Francisco Bay, following the San Francisco Bay Trail. I was fortunate to find a few people last month (November 2012) who knew how to build tule boats, and was able to witness two tule boats come to life on a drizzly Saturday in Marin County.

Charles Kennard, studied basket weaving with a Pomo Indian woman, and applies tools and weaving techniques he learned to the art of tule boat building. "Reed boats are a natural extension of basketry," and a "practical test of one's skills," he explained. He built his first tule boat in 1997 and has, more recently, taken boats out on Corte Madera Creek and where the watershed meets the Bay.

It turns out Kennard built some of the tule boats I saw on my walk around the bay. I caught up with him at a workshop for a group of students participating in an Aim High program in the Tennessee Valley area (west of area shown on Marin area map) about a mile inland from the Pacific Ocean.

I arrived mid-way in the boat construction process, taking place inside a large horse barn. The barn had plenty of covered space to build two tule boats. A previously built canoe-style tule boat was suspended against one wall.

The students were working quickly in teams, and bundles were coming together on the floor.  Rope was being braided and readied to help tie bundles together. Snippets of tule and rope covered the wood floor, along with bits of straw from hay bales. Horses gazed out from their stalls at the work in progress.

While cutting and drying of the tule had happened earlier, I was amazed that two boats could be built and taken out on the water in one day. The materials used were simple but very effective. A carved deer bone tool, that looked perfectly shaped for the job, was used to help fasten or weave bundles together. The bottom and sides of the boat came together quickly.

The front end of this particular boat design came to a high point and the back had a chopped off look. I was told that there were likely at least four different tule boat designs that were used in San Francisco Bay Area. (Other tule boats, and in fact whole tule islands, can be found in Mexico, Peru and other countries.)

I asked Kennard why tules were so well suited for boats. "The interior of the stems consist of narrow, 1/2 inch long air-filled cells, making them buoyant," he explained. That was a good description of the structural advantage of tule. However, it doesn't fully explain the emotional connection one feels in actually creating and floating in one of these craft, as I was about to experience. This feeling, Kennard later commented, was not unusual; and he credits the elemental and historic nature of the material for inspiring this connection. I couldn't help but wonder if we'd lost something of value (such as working with free, sustainable resources, with our own hands) over time.

Once completed, the boats were inspected, loose tule ends were trimmed with a knife. And the boats were carefully lifted and carried outside to a truck, where they were loaded, placed together, on their sides. Boats and students were transported to a large pond toward (but inland from) the beach. Life jackets were donned, safety instructions given, and kayak paddles were used to help maneuver boats into the water.

It was a joy to watch the students experience being afloat and learning how to direct the boats. After all the students were finished taking a turn, I was able to take a short paddle around the pond. It was wonderful. The boat felt sturdy, stable and maneuverable, and I really appreciated the opportunity. A big thank you to Charles Kennard; Richard Lautze and Elizabeth from Aim High; and all the students (former students and staff) who did such a great job creating the boats.

Image of San Francisco Bay Water Trail map is from San Francisco Bay Water Trail website.

Riding the Ducks - Nov. 2012

Launching Water Trail Adventures
November 2012

I was inspired to create this Water Trail Adventures site when I heard about the new San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail, a network of linked access sites around the Bay primarily for paddlers and human-powered craft, made possible thanks to the efforts of the California Coastal Conservancy, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and many other organizations, agencies and individuals.

I have a thing about San Francisco Bay, one of the largest estuaries in the U.S. Previously, I've walked around the San Francisco Bay (primarily following the San Francisco Bay Trail). I enjoyed this 1,000 mile, clockwise sashay around the Bay from 2009 - 2011, so much that I decided to walk around again. At this writing (Nov. 2012), my last walk was in the Tiburon area (Paradise Drive). These walks are chronicled on my Walking the Bay site, at www.walking-the-bay.com.

During my walks, I've met many people with great stories. So, while Walking the Bay is a true weblog -- with lots of photographs -- I decided that Water Trail Adventures would focus on the stories surrounding the people; their watercraft: kayaks, canoes, boards, rafts, dragon boats, tule boats, sail boats, and other floating means of transport; and the unique connection between people and their particular regions of the Bay as well as to their boats or boards of choice.

I also believe it's very important to have a sense of humor, which is why I selected a maiden voyage on a boat that is unlike most others (and clearly motorized), a duck boat in San Francisco, that has been outfitted for tours. While a duck boat doesn't fit the Water Trail's primary focus, it was fun to investigate.

Riding the Ducks

In October (2012) a friend and I decided to ride the ducks. This idea is not quite as crazy as it sounds, as Ride the Ducks is a tour outfit that takes people out on San Francisco Bay in a World War II era amphibious craft. The tour was part land (through the streets of San Francisco), and part sea (into the Bay and general motoring around in the water near ATandT Park). 

Why was this amusing? Every Ride the Ducks passenger was given a kazoo-like quacker shaped like a yellow duck's bill to wear around their neck and encouraged to make use of it along city streets. We were also invited to sing-along with songs that played periodically, and to generally clap, wave and have a great time. Passer bys on nearby sidewalks (during the land portion of the trip) looked amused, or annoyed. If you are experiencing serious issues and turmoil at work or you're scurrying home because you're late, you probably do not want a flock of human ducks honking and bearing down on you. Understood.

People have asked me where I get my ideas and contacts for stories. I do receive story leads from others in multiple ways. For example, our Ride the Ducks tour operator, Captain Rogers, was overflowing with good cheer and information San Francisco and the Bay. He also mentioned, as the duck boat made its transitional splash into the water, that he worked with a non-profit nearby (Pier 40), the Bay Area Association for the Disabled (BAAD). He talked about sailboats that had been retrofitted to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Another possible story for the future.

What was the story today?

Taking a ride on an unconventional tour boat, and meeting a tour guide who cared about other people and enjoyed making them laugh, while teaching them new facts and stories about San Francisco. Not a bad way to navigate through life.

"The opposite of play is not work, it is depression." 

-- from the book "Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul" (2009) by Stuart Brown, M.D.

Image of San Francisco Bay Water Trail map is from San Francisco Bay Water Trail website.