The definition of ‘having your nose up in the air’ according to Merriam-Webster is to behave in a way that shows one thinks one is better than others. In other words, being snooty. We couldn’t help but think of this sea lion posturing as being an excellent example— right down to the puffed out chest! Or, maybe they were warning us to keep our distance, given that they were more or less lying on top of each other when we approached. The big males seemed to be saying to each other, “I’ve got this.” “No. I’ve got it.” “No. I’ve got it…” Mating season is right around the corner. It’s important to establish who is top dog/sea lion.
I’ve approached our trip up the Pacific Coast much differently that I usually plan our road trips. I made reservations more than a day in advance. In fact I made most of them three months ahead. There were three reasons: One, Peggy and I wanted to stay in places for one to two weeks. Two, Pacific Coast campgrounds fill up quickly, especially as summer approaches. Three, Peggy has never been totally happy with my day ahead—or day of— approach to reservations. (The first time we took a year off to travel in 1999/2000, I only made one.)
My choice in Fort Bragg was a little campground on the Noyo River, slightly off the main tourist route.
The Dolphin Isle RV Campground and Marina is a couple of miles upriver from Fort Bragg’s main marina. The staff was super friendly, the price reasonable, and, most important, we were able to back our small trailer, Seraphina, up to the river.We had great views from our campsite. Upriver.Down river. The pilings may have held up a dock at one time.Now they hold up birds. This heron was standing on top of one, preening as we set up camp. Peggy grabbed her camera and caught it with a feather in its bill. Is the other one a feather in his cap?We set up our camp chairs behind Serafina so we could watch the wildlife, such as this mallard, float by.I thought his tail feathers were worthy of a shot.A Canada goose came by scarfing up sea weed.Cormorants had a favorite log just above our campsite, where they perched, dried out their wings, and preened.Several harbor seals swam by as they made their way up and down the Noyo River. This one checked us out. We also saw river otters
The river seemed the perfect place for us to kayak. Peggy was eager to get out. In fact, it was one of the reasons I selected Dolphin Isle for our camp. We pulled our inflatable Innova out of the truck’s bed and inflated it. We had kayaked with it for a quarter of a century in such diverse waters as Alaska, Baja, the Boundary Waters and the Everglades. For the first time ever, it refused to hold air. An internal seam had given out. We decided the time had come to retire Big Green and purchase a new kayak, which is something we have been talking about.
Peggy, sitting in the front, paddles our two-person, inflatable Innova kayak on Little Squaw Lake, a few miles from our home in Oregon.
Peggy still wanted to explore the Noyo River, however. She discovered that a small, electric boat operated out of the Dolphin Isle Marina and took people on short tours of the marina and river. She signed us up immediately.
Peggy and Captain Dan in his eco-friendly electric boat, the Noyo Star. She found Dan at WWW.NoyoHarborTours.com. Dan still fishes for a living as well as running his tour boat. He told us he had been providing fish to the same Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco for over 20 years.As part of the trip, Dan took us on a tour of the Fort Bragg Marina that featured larger fishing boats like this trawler that uses a large net to drag the bottom. Several of the larger boats head to Alaska in the summer for fishing.A crab boat was stacked with the traps that are used to catch crabs. The traps are baited with things crabs like to eat (fish and chicken work, the smellier the better),and dropped off in the water attached to a bouy. Every few hours, the traps are checked for any catch.A variety of smaller fishing boats were also in the marina. The Zhivago is Dan’s boat. How can you not like someone who names his boat Zhivago!The Coast Guard also had a couple of boats stationed at the marina, as they do at most of the fishing ports up and down the coast.The real stars of the tour were the sea lions, snoozing in the sun. They apparently liked each other, given how they are snuggled up together.We had to look twice at this. Sea lion number one was lying down. Sea lion number two had placed its tail on top of sea lion number one. Sea lion number three rested its head on the tail.As mentioned above, several sea lions raised their heads and assumed the ‘snooty’ position on our arrival. It appeared that several of them were going though various stages of molting. Either that or Mr. Snooty had on low rider pants.50/50 on this guy’s head.And the award for the snootiest goes to: This fellow for looking down its nose at us.Nothing snooty about this threesome.“Permission to come aboard, Sir!” Quite the discussion was going on here. The big fellow in the water had jumped off the walkway at our approach. There was a question whether the answer would be “yes.” After all, he had abandoned ship. The other sea lions look on in interest. They may be females who have a stake in the results.As we left, Captain Dan gave a quick toot on his horn. Three heads popped up in response.A brown pelican checked us out…And was joined by a sea gull.Major pilings held up such things as fish processing buildings, restaurants and even three cabins for rent.They also provided a squiggly, colorful, reflection shot.Close to the end of our tour with Captain Dan, the entrance to the Dolphin Isle Marina can be seen center right. This also brings us to the end of this post and our Fort Bragg blogs. Next up…Some really big trees: The magnificent redwoods.
Curt, I’m with Peggy on booking in advance! 😀 I love the photos and your descriptions of the sea lions – sound like great characters and wouldn’t want to meet one too close!
Laughing. I suspect most people are, Annika. With me, it’s more a matter of flexibility. And I’ve rarely not been able to fine a place to stay with minimum hassle. Post-covid is a little different. More people are on the road, at least it seems that way. Also, the Pacific coast has always been challenging in summer.
As for the sea lions, they were hilarious— without meaning to be, I’m sure. 🙄
Really liked the sea lion pile up! They can be a nuisance also but their bark is huge! I so admire the two of you getting out there and enjoying everything. As you head up the coast, I am looking forward to your visit to Astoria…one of my favorites!
Is their bark worse than their bite, Wendy? Grin. I like Astoria as well. In fact my grandmother is buried there. This time, we will just be passing through, however, since we will be staying near Tillamook after Florence and will have to move on to Olympic National Park after that.
What a great place to “make a reservation” and stay awhile, Curt. The sea lions do look snooty, but the birds and otters would be fun to see too. And it looks like the demise of the kayak turned out okay with the boat tour. We’re headed to the Redwoods tomorrow. We’ll wave as we pass each other on the road. 🙂 I’m looking forward to your post.
Virginia plates, D, on an F150 pulling a small Imagine trailer. I’ll wave back. 😁 The boat tour fit the bill but it won’t be long before Peggy and I get another kayak, or two. Redwoods were gorgeous. We’re in Bandon now, which has some of my favorite sea stacks ever. Spend the morning out peering into tide pools.
You’ll never find me on a cruise ship, but small operators with smaller boats and huge amounts of local knowledge? I’m there for it! That’s how I got to know something of the Louisiana bayous and swamps, and the memories still remain fresh.
That’s like our trips up both the Nile and the Rhine were like, Linda. Knowledgeable guides who are excited about sharing their knowledge can make a tremendous difference.
This sounds so perfect. I guess you needed a good push to get that new kayak anyway. I would have booked the tour immediately too, and I think Dan might have appreciated the names you guys come up with for your vehicles also. ❤
Wandering through Time and Place 
Stunning pictures(would like to emigrate here!).As for the seals being “snobby?”Love them all the same!
Thanks, Peter. I’ve always dreamed of living along the Pacific Coast. Fortunately, for most of my life. it was no more that 2-3 hours away.
Curt, I’m with Peggy on booking in advance! 😀 I love the photos and your descriptions of the sea lions – sound like great characters and wouldn’t want to meet one too close!
Laughing. I suspect most people are, Annika. With me, it’s more a matter of flexibility. And I’ve rarely not been able to fine a place to stay with minimum hassle. Post-covid is a little different. More people are on the road, at least it seems that way. Also, the Pacific coast has always been challenging in summer.
As for the sea lions, they were hilarious— without meaning to be, I’m sure. 🙄
Really liked the sea lion pile up! They can be a nuisance also but their bark is huge! I so admire the two of you getting out there and enjoying everything. As you head up the coast, I am looking forward to your visit to Astoria…one of my favorites!
Is their bark worse than their bite, Wendy? Grin. I like Astoria as well. In fact my grandmother is buried there. This time, we will just be passing through, however, since we will be staying near Tillamook after Florence and will have to move on to Olympic National Park after that.
On…into the forest!
The forest primeval, as Longfellow would have said, Wendy.
Wow, this trip is giving you a bit of everything. Such great, diverse photos. Pity about the trusty kayak.
And we are loving every minute of it, Peggy, as I know you would. Poor kayak, indeed, but it had a great run… or maybe I should say float.
What a great place to “make a reservation” and stay awhile, Curt. The sea lions do look snooty, but the birds and otters would be fun to see too. And it looks like the demise of the kayak turned out okay with the boat tour. We’re headed to the Redwoods tomorrow. We’ll wave as we pass each other on the road. 🙂 I’m looking forward to your post.
Virginia plates, D, on an F150 pulling a small Imagine trailer. I’ll wave back. 😁 The boat tour fit the bill but it won’t be long before Peggy and I get another kayak, or two. Redwoods were gorgeous. We’re in Bandon now, which has some of my favorite sea stacks ever. Spend the morning out peering into tide pools.
The Redwoods were spectacular, Curt. I hugged a lot of trees.
This looks so idyllic. I could imagine myself being there, and exploring. Too bad about the kayak! I’d have loved that too!
Alison
Quite peaceful, Alison. And the kayak will be replaced. 🥹 –Curt
You’ll never find me on a cruise ship, but small operators with smaller boats and huge amounts of local knowledge? I’m there for it! That’s how I got to know something of the Louisiana bayous and swamps, and the memories still remain fresh.
That’s like our trips up both the Nile and the Rhine were like, Linda. Knowledgeable guides who are excited about sharing their knowledge can make a tremendous difference.
This sounds so perfect. I guess you needed a good push to get that new kayak anyway. I would have booked the tour immediately too, and I think Dan might have appreciated the names you guys come up with for your vehicles also. ❤
I’m hoping Eugene has what we want, Crystal. Otherwise it will be Portland. 🙂 Doesn’t everyone name their vehicles after witches and polar bears?
Everyone who encourages their imagination, that is. ❤
Laughing!