On the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. At least 3-4X per week. We are spoiled here with a spectacular coastline littered with sea caves, paddle through arches, and meandering rock gardens. We have several wildlife rich, flat water rivers to paddle when ocean conditions are too extreme. Rock gardening in our whitewater boats and surf kayaking are favorite paddling fixes too. When it rains, we paddle the whitewater of our inland rivers. Ahhh . . . it is good to be in paddling paradise. Why don't I paddle every day? Because the mt biking is also phenomenal.

Kind of a newbie/novice... living outside the Boston area, had taken a few paddling trips (guided) and really liked it. Then just managed to pick up a used Old Town Millenium 160 that's in great shape. Hope to mostly paddle the Concord River (flatwater) nearby, and some ponds paddling too. Once I'm feeling a little more accomplished, I'll try some group adventures in the ocean... I am an experienced hiker and backpacker and think an island adventure might be fun, but I am certainly leery of just jumping into going offshore until I'm feeling more accomplished.
Cobscook Bay (Maine) is on my list for a shoreside camping/paddling trip later this summer.

tomsjeep,
Good to have you in the fraternity and I think you're right on at taking it gradually. I must warn you, though, your other hobbies will most likely get pushed aside. That's okay--it's part of the deal. Good paddling.

Since I'm kinda deep into photography, I may have to argue that point. I anticipate doing some shooting on the water (have a waterproof-to-40m case for my Canon ELPH).
And I'm getting to old and my knees to creaky to do the kind of hiking, backpacking and mountain-climbing I used to do. The Jeeps serve to get me "there"... and now the boat will get me a little further away from the madness of the city.
And thanks, I do feel welcomed!

Who am I? Hmmmmm....the owner of a new Current Designs Cypress that is due to ship 6/22....the owner of a Current Designs Kestrel 140 that I just spent 2 days on the Hillsborough River outside of Tampa FL, paddling with dear friends...wife to a wonderful man with whom I share great hobbies of Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Hiking and now Bicyling...the owner of a Great Dane and an Austrailian(sp) Kelpie and 3 cats (wait, I think the cats own me). The mom to a great daughter, now 25, who followed in my footsteps in her career choice and who is now married the the world's best son-in-law. Gosh! I guess I'm a lot of things!