The Cape - 9/13/12 - Chi will flow

Have you read up on the chi energies within our bodies and how you can focus and channel them?  I've dabbled in the reading and sometimes focus and channel the flow, but I am admittedly a major novice.     Try this:  center yourself and relax; focus on points in the center of your body, from toes to head; visualize energy in your lower abdomen, at your groin really, coming up through your mid section, your heart, your throat, and up through your skull.  Do you get a sensation of tingling in the top of your cranium?!  Try it again, but, fair warning, watch out for practicing this without training!     I'm not sure what the perils are, but I do remember that the Kundalini Yoga manual that I got this out of elaborated on living a "heart-centered" life, so I do my best at that.     Getting those energies moving, and just being aware of such a thing, is a practice in something that is quite foreign to most 'Western' thinking, and it's remarkable how real it is.  Other than focusing and channeling the energy intentionally, I am able to feel the flow in conjunction with strong emotion, and it's a special feeling.

I plan to take the day off of work this Thursday, September 13, 2012.  The forecast for south of the Cape is 5 knot winds and 2-4' swells.  It's a "Cape Day", and I've had few of those in the past two years - especially compared to years past when I'd spend a few dozen days out that way over the course of the year diving for abs and catching literally hundreds of rockfish and lingcod.  I'll target rockies and lings exclusively for the first time this year!  I've kept two lingcod and zero rockfish from the yak this year, and that will likely change if I do go this Thursday. 

I have many fond memories from the Cape, and some of the best are of hanging with my Dad out there on the tandem kayak back in '06 I think.  Here's a couple of Youtube's of that time:





September 13 will mark 5 years to the day since my Dad had a stroke due to melanoma tumors in his brain.  Lost him 4 months later, and that time in my life was intense.  I dove in with both feet and was able to be with my Dad every evening at home for 3 months helping my stepmother take care of him as the cancer got him.  We had communication that enriched my life so much and that I will never forget, and I learned lessons that cannot be learned in other ways.  I was able to blog about my experience at the time as well as keeping a community of family, friends and other loved ones updated on Dad's journey.

This Thursday I will paddle out with my Dad on board and dedicate all of my focus to being the Man he wanted me to be and taught me to be, and the Chi will flow hard.  Join along if you'd like, but don't worry if you can't make it, I'll have NCKA on board too.   

Sorry for the loss.  I was able to spend a huge amount of my time while he transitioned thru all the stages of cancer and passed on thru.  It's a tough journey that words cannot fully explain.  I kept a log but even today, some of it doesn't make sense.  The real truth of it all are the memories that are brought back and how they tie to places, times or smells.  My hope is that those ties never pass....

The water will be glassy and your dad will be looking down on you as you catch some monster Cape rockfish and lings.

You know Im I always down for a Cape run.  Im there if Toni and I dont take off to Santa Cruz or Monterey to chase some wsb and cali butts.

No sweeter time then Fall on the ocean or in the mountains of northen California.............drink it in Eric!   

What a poignant narrative of a portion of your experience with your dad. He had to have known how lucky he was to have a son so willing to give of himself during his time of need. Good on you, Brother. And BTW: As a writer, I am especially drawn to the narratives of those who write and produce vids as well as you do. I have experienced several of your efforts with pleasure. Now, where exactly is "The Cape"? Is that Mendocino? I gave some thought today to juggling things around so that I could fish from my yak somewhere Thursday before heading for Pacific Grove Friday evening. If you are planning a day by yourself to celebrate your time with your dad, I don't want to intrude, but if you feel that company could be a good thing on that day, I think I could make the trip up there from Vallejo. Let me know, and I will certainly understand either way. Oh, I just re-read your post and you did invite company. Well, if that has not changed and you respond accordingly, I'll see if I can juggle successfully and meet you up there.

Eric my man, I miss fishing with you because of the Chi...

Sorry about your loss of your Dad man, but no one could be living up to the name and bring the energy off of the loss like you have.

Tight Lines, Ryan

I'll see if I can juggle successfully and meet you up there.

Would love to meet up with you and paddle together.   

Meet at Fernbridge at 545AM.  Launch around 7AM.  Land around 1PM.  Back at Fernbridge around 230.  I have soccer and back to school responsibilities throughout the late afternoon and evening, and cruising through that is so pleasant with the glow of a sweet morning on the water - hence the early start.   

Anyone else who's up for it, be forewarned:  As the farthest western point in the continental US, Cape Mendocino is unpredictable for wind, and any forecast can result in unnavigable water right up to shore.  There are no guarantees.  That's why I wait for forecasts like "5 knots" or "variable winds to 5 knots".  I've seen days out there where it was flatter than I've ever seen any lake!  But most of the time it's windy.  This is a sweet forecast:

.THU...SW WIND 5 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS. NW SWELL 3 TO 5 FT. PATCHY FOG.

But I still go expecting it to be much windier than that forecast.   

Eric my man, I miss fishing with you because of the Chi...

Sorry about your loss of your Dad man, but no one could be living up to the name and bring the energy off of the loss like you have.

Tight Lines, Ryan

Thank you very much, Ryan.  You're a good friend, and I miss you, Man!   

Be sure to get in touch when you'll be able to visit Humboldt again.   

I hope the waters are smooth, the wind mild, and your chi in tuned.  It is nice that you
take your dad with you doing something that you love so much.  Enjoy your cape time.

It is looking good so far.  Maybe an overnighter as I have always wanted to camp out there again like I did last year with an abbing buddy.

Wednesday: N wind around 6 kt becoming variable and less than 5 kt in the morning. Patchy fog. Mixed swell...WNW 5 to 6 ft at 9 seconds and SSW 1 ft at 11 seconds becoming S. Wind waves around 1 ft.

Wednesday Night: Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog. Mixed swell...NW 5 ft at 8 seconds and S 1 ft at 11 seconds. Wind waves around 1 ft.

Thursday: Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog before 11am. Mixed swell...WNW 3 to 4 ft and S 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

Thursday Night: Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog. Mixed swell...WNW 3 ft and S 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

Friday: Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming NNW around 6 kt in the afternoon. Patchy fog. Mixed swell...W 3 ft and WSW 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

See you out there then, Rob - where will you camp?

Have fun buddy. I always think of my dad when Im on the water. I fished and dove with him for a long time. I just got a glimpse in my mind of how it might go down. Cherish the time spent in the past. Let it flow in and capture the moment to remain in your minds eye forever.

The fishing sounds GREAT! More important, the loe, respect and memories you have of/with your father = PRICELESS!!! The other thing that happened during that time you spent with your father, your kids were being trained on how to stick with family and support them through everything. We all grow old and need help, your kids will be there for you! If it wasn't soo far, I would call in sick and go. Good luck, great weather, and happy memories!

Thanks, you guys, for the nice replies.   

Thanks for that, reminders for us all, hoping you have a peaceful day.