Sue and Kae kayak Tomales Bay in Marin County on Aug. 24. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Kayaking is one of those activities that makes me slow down and appreciate the surroundings.

Tomales Bay on a recent August morning was perfect. For the most part the water was as still as one would want it to be. At times not a ripple could be seen.

Oddly, when the wind picked up a couple times we endured a head wind in both directions. Even so, that breeze was not sustained.

At times it is possible to see the bottom of the bay. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

We kept close to shore, which allowed us the good fortune to see a few river otters. I could have watched them all day if they had been inclined to entertain us that long.

We were given a laminated card with possible wildlife we might come across. Ducks, seagulls and cormorants rounded out our animal sightings. The latter look like periscopes when only their necks and heads are out of water.

At times the water was so shallow it would have been easy to standup. Grasses of some kind were swaying just beneath the surface.

Mostly trees line the launch side of the bay, while the other side has several buildings.

The peacefulness of being on the water makes kayaking so mesmerizing. Some unwritten etiquette makes this sport quieter than others. No one was yelling back and forth. We all seemed to want to be one with Mother Nature.

It was a special couple of hours.

Tomales Bay on a summer day without fog is great for kayaking. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Blue Waters Rentals rented us a double kayak for two hours for $92. Ten percent of the fee goes back to California State Parks.

Rental increments are one hour, two hours, four hours, full day, and 24 hours. They have double and single kayaks, and standup paddleboards.

The rental company is located in Tomales Bay State Park, where it costs $8 to park. The park is a small chunk of land surrounded by Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay.

When hiking on the nearby ridge it’s possible to see Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean, as this swath of land is like a finger jutting out between the two bodies of water.