I’d been wanting to get into one of the scenic saltwater lagoons coming in off the coast, and Agua Hedionda (Carlsbad Lagoon) is the only one nearby that’s legal to paddle. I skipped the ridiculous $10 boat ramp fee and found my own way in with my friend Eris. She explored the open water, while I paddled back into where the water narrows to get a quick glimpse of the marsh and the bird life. Though the translation means “smelly water”, it didn’t live up to its name!