Clint and I decked out in our “kayaking gear” ready for a Sunday morning paddle in the smooth blue waters of the Sea of Cortez.

Just got back from an energizing and productive annual conference of the National Assocation of Court Management held in Anaheim, CA this year. When I arrived at the conference on Tuesday, I was quite confused because the National Model Railroad Association conference was happening at the same time, in the same hotel. The badges were the same color and the acronyms of NACM and NMRA are not that far off. Luckily, by the second day I was able to get myself to the correct room for my speaking session. Enough about my week.

This weekend promises to be full of adventure as we are going sailing with friends. Thoughts of being on the water reminded me of the great time Clint and I had kayaking on the Sea of Cortez. We stayed at the Inn at Loreto Bay and went on a complimentary Sunday morning kayak tour.

We couldn’t have chosen a better day to go out as the sky was a clear blue and the water was still as glass. The rhythm of the paddle was the only thing that broke the calmness. Ok, maybe that and my back-seat driving orders to Clint even from the front of the kayak. I have a very good sport for a spouse, for only he tolerates my type A personality.

Clint takes this photo from afar as I chat with Annie, one of our Agua Viva neighbors. Annie is a photographer and the first time I met her, I marveled at the size of the lens on her camera. She took a great photo of Clint and I which I’ll post another time.

If you haven’t gone out kayaking, it is a must-do activity. I promise you it will relax you while giving you a good upper body workout. It is also a very easy sport to pick up. In fact, the last time I kayaked was 6 years ago glacier waters in Alaska during an 11 day camping trip.

Kayaks provided by the Inn at Loreto Bay. The two person kayaks are surprisingly comfortable. Tip: Make sure you get a kayak that has the seat padding inserts. They look thin, but they do make a difference.

Helpful staff at the kayak shack “Aturo’s Watersports Activity Center” showing me how to paddle.

Clint and I liked this guy a lot, he was quite the character. I didn’t catch his name so if anyone knows, please let us know.

The kayak guy explaining that should we run into an issue, we should raise the paddle up in the air with both hands and someone would come and help us.

Me doing my Charle’s Angels pose.

Behind every great woman is a… Although, I am the one wearing a life jacket that says “Sherpa”….hmmm…Clint, are you paddling?

Clint, if you are taking this photo of me, then who’s paddling?…

Golf course and bridge up ahead!

Going under the bridge, I liked how the reflection of the water played against the wooden planks of the bridge.

The Villages of Loreto Bay from afar.

I can’t wait until the estuaries in Agua Viva are done – kayaking in those will be exceptional. High expectations, but the current estuary construction progress seems to be meeting them.

Loni Kao Stark
Co-Founder StarkSilverCreek, Creative Director and Wine Collector

Loni is a self-professed foodie, adventure travel seeker and aspiring artist. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. The former Ms. Global Petite runner-up is host of several SSC shows including WineTube TV, StarkSilverCreek Presents, Loreto Live, and the new series The Artist Diaries. Between busy travel schedules to Washington, Napa and global destinations such as Australia, the Baja and Europe, she expends the rest of her energy collecting wines, practicing “escape artist”-style cooking, and building what she hopes, one day, will be a real estate empire. She catches her breath by writing about her adventures.
Twitter: @lonikaostark More: articles bio

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