Kayaking SLO County's Coast

The intrepid three: from left Beau Clyborn, Tribune reporter Brian Milne and Tribune photographer Joe Johnston minutes before launching at San Carpoforo Creek beach.

An adventure is born: 7 days, 3 kayaks, one great adventure

When Tribune photographer Joe Johnston first suggested kayaking the San Luis Obispo County coast, I thought to myself, "Somebody's been spending too much time in the darkroom."

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Archive by category ''Kayaking SLO County's Coast

KAYAKING SLO COUNTY'S COAST

Day 1: In history's wake

Coastal explorers have been launching boats from the mouth of San Carpoforo Creek for hundreds of years, so we figured our sunrise send-off wouldn't be much of an adventure.
KAYAKING SLO COUNTY'S COAST

Day 2: Hang 10 and hang on

Our kayaks were swaying from side to side along the Cambria coastline when we saw the silhouette of another kayaker slicing through the morning mist. Our friend Steve Hennigh was the first human to join us during our six-day trek down San Luis Obispo County’s coast. Up to then, a handful of sea lions...
KAYAKING SLO COUNTY'S COAST

Days 3 & 4: Landmark in the mist

By the third day, the three of us were sunburned, blistered and plenty salty after another wet and wild launch at Morro Strand State Beach. We had been paddling toward Morro Rock for three days and were excited to be looking up at the 581-foot volcanic plug again.
Related
- Link: (Video) Day 3: Launching from Morro Strand State Beach
KAYAKING SLO COUNTY'S COAST

Day 5: A view for a few

As we paddled south from Spooner’s Cove, it was as if the three of us were leaving the civilized world behind. A handful of early morning hikers were sprinkled about the Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail, but once we paddled around Point Buchon, it was just me, Joe and Beau.
Related
- Link: (Video) Day 5: Easy launch from Spooner's Cove
KAYAKING SLO COUNTY'S COAST

Day 6: Whale of a finish

Sunrise was still nearly an hour away when the three of us began lugging our kayaks to the dimly lit dock behind Port Side Marine. We were greeted at the launch area by an old sailor who looked as if he had just walked off the set of the latest “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequel. The ...
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