After sheltering in place to avoid the pandemic for nearly four months, we dared to plan a stand-up paddle boarding trip, timed after other restless Independence holiday crowds had (hopefully) thinned out. This lake is just over 2 hours drive north of Danville, beyond Napa Valley. We had no idea it would turn out to be such a wonderful experience for both camping and paddling!

We headed out right after breakfast on the first day to inflate our paddle boards and get on the water before the water got too choppy from speedboats and expected winds. There was a very nice boat launch, and we also found some sloughs to explore where the water and wind were pretty calm. I fell in once, anyway. Climbing back out of the murky water, I was covered with clingy algae.