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..

December 2007 Sucia Island paddle

Leaving from Orcas Island in Washington State the day after Christmas my paddling partner and I planned to spend three day's paddling around Sucia Island SP and Patos Island BUT the weather God's had another plan. Leaving on Wednesday from North Beach we paddled under a beautiful blue sky with a light breeze. What a day!! The Canadian mountains in the distance shone brilliantly wrapped in their beautiful winter coat of white. An easy two mile paddle over to Fox Cove on Sucia to set up tents on this sunny afternoon. Finding a campsite was no problem other than the ranger and his family we had the entire island to ourselves. If you ever want to see sand stone formations crafted by thousands of years of wind and waves this is a place to observe that beauity.
Well aware that the weather was going to take a drastic turn towards winter conditions later that evening we were glad to get the tents set up in the sunshine. We did take the opportunity to check out the 10,000+ year old fish, oyster and clam fossils on EV Henry Point. Well worth the hike if you get over to Sucia. Loads of oyster catcher were picking over the rocks on their never ending search for lunch. Eagles, seagulls and cormorants kept us company along with a couple of seals that seemed interested in our presence.
As advertised winter came with a vengeance that evening 30-35 knot winds, snow, sleet and rain as a deep low pressure system passed. Thursday was not a day to paddle so a hike from our campsite up to Ewing Cove on the northeast corner of Sucia was the order of the day. All during our hike the winds were howling and rain was flying sideways but it was a lot warming hiking then setting in a tent reading. Last night was cold and tonight will even be chillier ! Listening to the weather the west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca had 15+ swell and 5 ft wind waves which was all heading our way for Saturday. A weather window of 15-20 mph winds was forecasted for Friday morning, checking the Washbourne tables also suggested the currents would be favorable around 10am so that was the plan. Friday morning as predicted the wind did subside after another extremely windy, cold night. A few patches of blue sky greeted Friday morning. Packed and on the water by 9:30 the wind was blowing 20 mph out of the west southwest which made the water quite jobbly as we passed between little and big Sucia Islands. Good to get the adrenalin pumping at the beginning of the paddle. A little planning, some warm clothing and a good weather awareness this paddle is a great winter paddle.

Deception Pass Dash

The good folks at Seattle Raft and Kayak held their second annual "Deception Pass Dash" on Sunday December 2. An interesting weekend weather wise around this part of the country, 4+ inches of rain after it snowed 6 + inches Saturday, hurricane force winds with 38 ft swell off the coast and I was thinking no way the Dash is going to happen this weekend for the 104 paddlers who signed up for the race. Fortunately the kayak gods were smiling and gave the SRK folks a long enough weather window to get the event in. What fun, under overcast skies, 35 degrees, spitting snow flakes and 10-15kt winds ( and building ) in the pass 76 racers took off at 9:45am. I finished 44th in a death defying time of 88 1/2 minutes to cover the 6 1/2 miles..

Guemes Island Paddle

Another picture perfect Puget Sound day to paddle. Took off this morning at 8:45 launching at a little park next to the Guemes Island ferry dock in Anacortes, WA. My paddling partner and I experienced 15 kt SW winds, dead calm, a lite shower or two and a couple of sunbreaks, a normal Mid November day for this part of the country. We paddled counter clockwise trying to take advantage of the currents on this full moon day. Took a break on Strawberry Island at the Washington Water Trails site which is a beautiful site. Next break we took was at Young Park on the north end of Guemes Island another beautiful park. The park is named after Vietnam war Congressional Medal award honoree. On this leg we saw a very large bull California sea lion fishing for salmon, several pairs of eagles, seals and loads of birds returning for the winter. After the break we headed south and back to our put in arriving at 1:30pm. The Olympic mountains were dazzling as the sun reflected off their new coating of snow. This paddle covered 15.75 statute miles..

Shaw Island, WA Oct 2007

On this beautiful fall day a couple of paddlers circumnavigated Shaw Island in Washington State's San Juan Island group. We launched at the marina in Deer Harbor at 8:15 am under bright blue skies. With the direction of the currents we decided to take full advantage of the flow and head around the west side of Shaw. Not a lot of building on this beautiful island so the waterfront looks faily prestine. A land conservencey along the south and east sides of the island has prevented most development, very much appreciated. As we traveled around the north side of the island we stopped for a break at Blind Island SP which is another nice place for the paddle-powered community to take advantage of. There is also a WWTA site on the island so canoe's and kayakers can camp overnight. We finished our paddle 4 hours and 15 minutes after we started back in Deer Harbor. We traveled 17 1/2 miles.

Hat (Gedney) Island Paddle

This is a nice 14-15 mile paddle you should try. In the ' off season ' which really never happens for kayakers. This is an easy location IE: short carry from your car to the water, to start a trip. On Sunday, Oct 7 the weather forecast was for 15-20kt gusting to 25 southerly winds so we timed our paddle during an ebb hoping for some big wind waves to play in. We were rewarded with some very stiff wind and waves on the east side of Hat. FYI you can sneak a landing on the north side of the island but landing is frowned upon by the islanders. On our return my paddling partner and I practiced some rolls and rescues for the beach goers who stare in wonder. Well actually they were wondering about our sanity ! One caution is to stay well clear of the Washington State ferries which run between Mukilteo and Clinton.

Successful Circumnavigation of Whidbey Island!

The following post is from an email from Bill who is home safe and sound after what is in my view (Mike) a significant accomplishment.

Up at 4:45 am cooked the oatmeal, drank the coffee and packed all the wet gear as it had rained most of the night.

The boats were packed and we were on our way at 5:45 am with no breeze and a very fine mist falling. Paddling in the darkness they were surprised by the very bright luminescence, each stroke and the boat wake was outlined in a greenish/yellowish glow, How Very Cool !!
As the day broke the predicted 10-15K NM wind did kick in which rapidly propelled them south. The wind waves were 1-2 ft with an occasional 3 footer to aid our surfing lessons.
Stopped briefly at the end of Camano Island of one last refreshment break before we hit the final leg of the journey. We passed to the west of Hat (Gedney) Island and after dodging one big assed pleasure boat they landed at 9:40 am from where the trip started at the Mukilteo waterfront park.
They traveled just over 17 miles today. Test of the trip, the two paddlers are still good friends and planning the next grand adventure !