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.

March 29 WKC Paddle

This was first WKC (Washington Kayak Club) paddle which I lead this 2008 season. Last night we had wind and snow in the lowlands plus the usual ton'o'snow in the mountains. I was kind of surprised Saturday morning that there where 8 out of the 10 paddlers who signed up for the trip present and accounted for, hardy souls! The forecast was for diminishings winds (10k max), a stray rain/snow shower or two and conditions improving over the next 2-3 days. Launching at Salt Water SP @ 10:00 am for a paddle west along the shoreline down to Redondo. With the sun shinning brightly across the water on Maury Islands Pt. Robinson we paddled thru some bright sunhine followed by a stray rain/hail shower before stopping for a lunch break. The wind and current aided our 45 minute trip back to Salt Water. We were greeted by a pair of eagles, one adult and a juvenile eagle searching for a salmon lunch on our return trip. We got off the water just as a another rain squal passed over us. A good spring Puget Sound paddle, rain, sun, hail, wind and calm.

Mercer Island Circumnavigation 3/8/08

Jumped on the water at Lincoln Landing which is located on the north end of Mercer Island, WA. The day is overcast, it's 48 degrees and the time is 11:45am. A great Puget Sound winter day to paddle around the island. Headed south down the west side of the lake then back north along the east side. They keep building bigger and bigger houses along the waterfront, guess the recession hasn't got this crowd. Rounding the south end of the lake it looked like the Boeing plant was busy cranking out 737's there where four of them in the their bright green skin setting on the run way. The Seahawks new training facility on the Renton side of the lake is a very large addition to the shoreline, can't say it adds any aesthetic beauty.. Sun pops out as I near the I-90 bridge to make the last few miles an opportunity to soak up some vitamin D.. I don't see many wintering birds today. Note the cormorants are on guard duty perched on the 'No Wake' buoys that dot the shoreline. The bright yellow daffodils and the redbuds along the shoreline are blooming, the flowering plum and crab apple trees are not far behind. Yep, looks like spring is on her way. That reminds me I have to spring the clocks forward today too! It took me 2 hours and 35 minutes to paddle the 12 1/2 miles today, not bad for a spring tune up paddle.............

In honor of Mary Paddle

One of my kayaking buds, Mary is nearing the end of a beautiful, productive life. Her family is hosting a 'share and laugh, story, a memory' party for her. I figured I would jump in my boat and as I paddle note everything I experienced on the water today which would be my story to share with Mary. I left from Salt Water SP paddled west past Redondo, WA and towards the Narrows bridge. Sunny calm morning, 55 degrees some fog over the Sound. Took this picture of a freighter headed north towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca..... a ship disappearing in the fog, kind of like a long friendship moving on to the next stop..

Borrow and Allen Island Paddle

Just another winter day in the Puget Sound ! Today the temps were in the low 50's with a little hazy sunshine. Three of us launched from Washington Park (which is close to Anacortes, WA.) and paddled down along the west side of Burrows Island. We stopped at the abandoned light house then proceded south down along the west side of Allen Island. From Allen we ventured down and around Williamson Rocks which is protected and is part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area. There we saw lounging seals, eagles and many species of birds. Be aware the currents can make paddling in this area!

Jan1 2008 Happy New Year Paddle

Today was the third annual New Year's Day paddle I have organized and what fun we had. It was a balmy day for these parts and when compared to the last two New Year's day paddles is was down right tropical. 48 degrees, 10-15k winds out of the south and we even had a few sun breaks. Eight hearty souls launched at Alki Beach in West Seattle and paddled the 12 miles over to and around Blake Island. A nice stop at the Washingotn watertrails park on Blake for hot toddies hit the spot. There were several paddlers we talked to who camped out to watch the Seattle fireworks. They had a great view..