We returned to Drake’s Estero for a fall paddle. The last time was in January before the estero is closed for seal pupping season. Part way down Schooner Bay the cable to the rudder broke. Yes, the cable that broke before. Now we know that the cable lasts about a year before the corrosion of Pacifica fog and saltwater voyages eats through it. The rudder isn’t critical, but it is more difficult to keep a tight course so we decided to head to the closest part of the estuary, Home Bay.
We didn’t see any seals last time and we didn’t see any this time, just the odd rocks that masquerade as basking seals. We did get a closer look at the rocks on the shore as well as one still embedded in the cliffside. Apparently they are suspended in the land and as the cliff erodes they tumble to the beach.
This time there were many fewer birds. We saw a few small flocks in the distance or overhead, but not the numerous groups of January. There was a large group of white pelicans in Home Bay.
Coming back was against some wind and would have been better if we could have steered tightly enough to stay close to shore to use the bluffs as wind breakers, but we powered through. Maybe next time we’ll get down to Limantour or go to the picnic haul out near the mouth.