Magnuson Park Paddle 4-20-2008

Nice (?) spring day in the Puget Sound ! It's snowing again today, when will we ever see the sun again ? Paddled today from Holmes Pt Park across Lake Washington to Seattle Raft & Kayak then north along Sand Point and Magnuson Park. Took some pictures of the nuclear sub fins which are now part of a peace park. If you get a chance visit the park it's pretty cool. The local raccoons seem to enjoy the park..

Mercer Is WA. 4-18-2008

We planned to paddle on the Sound today but 25K + winds and heavy rain mixed with snow changed our minds. Rob, Dave and I paddled from Lincoln Landing on Mercer east to the I-90 bridge and back. This is APRIL and it snowing in the mountains, even have 1-3 inches on the ground at sea-level, crazy! Turned out to be a beautiful day to paddle, as they all are. Saw a couple of immature eagles patrolling the water which is always a pleasant sight to see. Post paddle discussion continued at the Roanoke tavern over fish & chips and a pitcher of Fat Tire.

Lake Sammamish WA 4/11/08

Feels like spring is finally making it to our great state of Washington. Paddled today with my mentor and good friend Rob R. on Lake Sammamish. Rob has turned into a Harley ridding snowbird for the winter months so today's paddle was a slow easy paddled followed by a couple of Dead Man's and a cheeseburger at the Issaquah Brew House. Took a couple of pictures which would indicate the local beaver population appears to be recovering quite well which I suspect is much to the dismay of some of the local landowners. Was a beautiful sunny 55 degree day. Another indication of spring is the Great Blue Huron rookery on the southern shore of the lake which was very active with expectant parents working on their nests.

April 12 WKC Paddle

Two weeks ago I lead a WKC (Washington Kayak Club)trip ( see 3/29 post) and it snowed, rained, hailed and even had sun breaks on the group of nine paddlers. On today's paddle most of the same paddlers showed up and we were greeted with 75 degrees and bright sunshine. We paddled into a 10-12K breeze as we headed north after launching at Seahurst SP in Burien WA. Our goal was to paddle north to Anderson Park in Seattle which is right next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock. All went smooth until we attempted to paddle under the ferry dock at which time the local Homeland Security enforcer threatened us, so we had to paddle out and around the dock. We had the opportunity to watch a peregrine falcon work the shoreline in search of lunch, always a very cool spectacle. At Anderson Park a lone bald eagle was perched high in a dead tree along the shoreline keeping an eye on all the happenings below and of course dodging the pesty blackbirds that was dive bombing it.
With the breeze and current aiding our trip back to Seahurst this leg of the trip only took an hour and twenty minutes.