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..

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..