It was bound to happen. I started paddling about a year ago and have gone this long without paddling in the rain. That was a pretty good run considering I live in the Pacific NW. I went out with our kayak club to paddle the Sammamish River Slough.
Although it looked kind of ugly, the weather turned out to be rather mild.
There was a little drizzle and the temp was in the low 50s.
We were treated to some nice fall colors, lots of ducks, herons, beavers and one huge salmon that jumped completely out of the water about 3 feet in front of us.
Parking lot
Stopped at Brackett’s Landing for a quick lunch before heading back.
I love paddling in the Fall. It's just a very special time as the paddling season winds down for most of us, the skiers and boaters have gone into hibernation and you have the water to yourself. We've been having some wet and windy days lately and today the skies opened up a little for a break in the weather. I grabbed the Avvy and we set off to enjoy the lake.
For those that have been following this blog, you know that American Lake is my go-to paddle playground and I try to get out there at least 3 or 4 times a week. Yesterday I didn't go due to an overloaded work schedule. Yesterday a man drowned on American Lake. He and his brother were testing a boat that had some recent repairs done. The boat began to sink and the brothers tried to swim to shore. They were in their 60s. One decided he wasn't going to make it so he turned around and swam back to the boat. The other brother was nowhere to be found. I wonder what I would have done if I came upon this accident while on my paddle. My husband is a dive instructor and the first thing he tells his students is not to be a victim. Meaning, don't get caught up in a situation where you find yourself in as much danger as the person you are trying to rescue. In panic situations, you never know what will happen out of desperation and the fight for survival. If I did attempt a bow rescue, would my kayak be capsized? Would I be dragged down into the water? Or would I not have thought about it and just helped? I wish I were out there yesterday. I'd like to think I would have been able to help.
My kayak is a perpetual accessory to my Prius for 9 months out of the year. You never know when your schedule opens up or your H20 addiction overcomes you. The downside is you get a lot of people wanting to talk to you about your "canoe".
I like fishing. I need to start this blog off with that statement to show I have no bias against fishing, fishermen or wishermen. But I do need to vent a little about responsibility. On the nearby lake that I paddle, it is always populated by the local fishermen which I'm always on the lookout for since some are in boats but others stake their claim on the banks of the shore. You never, ever want to run into their lines - for some reason, they get upset with that. But what disturbs me about one of the aspects of fishing is the tangled lines that are abandoned. It's just not something that we think about (me included). Our line snags, we cut it loose and start setting up another one. I took this video which has inspired me to be responsible no matter what the activity since whatever you leave behind in your wake will no doubt have some consequence.
70 degrees. Wind at 2mph. We paddled Eld Inlet today in the calmest of conditions. Launched from Carlyon Beach park and headed to Frye Cove park for lunch and back. I'm learning in order to keep things interesting when it's this mild out, I need to get out of my Point A to B mentality. Someone once told me that every time you're out on the water, that's your opportunity to practice. Improve something whether it's edging, advance maneuvering, rolling, perfecting your strokes or whatever especially if you're in a group that paddles at a slower pace. Instead of stopping and waiting for folks to catch up, why not do some slaloms or hug the shoreline so that you're still with the group but doing your own thing. Today afforded me the opportunity to practice some bow rudders and draws which made things more interesting since the water was so flat.
Staging area at the launch site
This was how the water was the whole day - hardly a ripple.
The weather couldn't have been more cooperative for our evening paddle. It was a full Harvest Moon and the lack of clouds and wind made for a perfect evening. Six of us launched out of South Lake Union park to experience nighttime paddling. Except for a few slow moving boats on the water, we were the only ones on the lake. It was a time to enjoy the sounds of our paddles moving through the water and the utter beauty of the Seattle skyline all lit up. We also were treated to some fireworks and saw some magical flying luminaries as they were released over Gas Works park. Simply amazing.
Racing the sunset
Seattle in sight
Space Needle on our way to the launch
SSAK paddlers
Luminaries coming from Gas Works park - wish the picture turned out better. It was a wonderful treat.
Well, it's been 4 months since I first started using a greenland paddle and my euro paddle has been acquiring dust ever since :-). I wasn't sure I wanted one so I didn't really want to invest any real money into acquiring one so I've been pestering my husband to make me one since he's pretty handy in the workshop. After weeks and weeks of prodding him, he took a weekend to work on it so I would have it for Mother's Day. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised with the way it turned out. He made sure to get my measurements so that it fit me perfectly. It's such a pleasure to paddle with! He done good :-)
My perfect greenland paddle made from a Western Red Cedar 2x4
Custom design by 8 year old daughter
Wouldn't fit inside the car so created a paddle cover that attaches to yakima bars.
Couldn't have picked a more perfect day for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. Launched at Freshwater Bay boat ramp to begin our coastline adventure. No surprise that we weren't the only ones with the idea of paddling here as there were a couple of other kayaking groups that showed up. This is a paddlers delight. Sun was shining, ocean swells were minor (if any at all) and temps were in the low 60s. Not a great day for those wanting to do a little kayak surfing but for the rest of us, it couldn't have been better. This is my first time paddling this far north on the Peninsula. Freshwater Bay is mostly protected and is one of the most scenic sections of coastline in Washington with lots of cliffs, kelp beds, and small coves. Just know that the water is very cold - dress for it and you should be fine. We paddled inside the kep line to enjoy the amazing views and not rush the 4.5 miles to Cresent Beach for lunch. We saw seals and a variety of birds, lots of jellyfish and I was lucky enough to spot some purple starfish in the turquoise blue water.
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The launch site - Freshwater Bay boat launch
Cute starfish
Look at the crystal clear water
Exploring coves
These kelp beds were everywhere - felt and sounded like you were paddling over a cheese grater. Just an illusion - the boat is just fine.
Absolutely gorgeous
Just chillin'
Threading the rocks
Lunch
Lions Mane jellyfish. Why we're manhandling it I do not know.
My purple starfish
Heading back from lunch
The Valley Avocet LV
There's two things that I would do differently next time (and there definitely will be a next time): 1. Stay overnight some place nearby. Either camp at Salt Creek (which is pretty nice) or stay at a local hotel. Left home at 7:00am for the 2 1/2 hour drive to get here. 2. Bring a boat that I don't have to baby. There were so many areas that if I didn't have my scratch-free Avocet LV, I would have loved to have ventured through. But those huge rocks are deadly to gel coat, not to mention kevlar underneath. Next time, a playboat would be my craft of choice.
After paddling with my crazy kayak club on Saturday, I was inspired to go out and practice my rolls. Still not 100% bombproof but I'm feeling a little more confident with each attempt. Trying to figure out why my blade keeps getting stuck in my lines.
What a gorgeous day for a
paddle. Eight paddlers from the South Sound Area Kayakers group made their way from Thea’s Park to Browns Point
while meandering through pilings and marinas. One of our talented members found an express way to
launch. That's why they make plastic boats :-). Lots of excitement crossing over to Browns
Point where some of us unintentionally played chicken with a cargo ship.
“Does it look like it’s
moving?” “No, it’s not moving”. “Are you sure? It looks like it’s
moving”. “No, those tug boats are just out
practicing” “…umm…ok…” “..wait a minute..it's...turning.. GO! GO! GO!”
So we picked up our cadence
and everyone made it safely across. During lunch at Browns Point, some of
us had an apple war with the apples that had dropped from the trees. Then
in true SSAK fashion, the majority of us ended up in and under the water, not
to mention on top of each other.
Getting ready to launch from Thea's Park on Dock Street
Unfinished bridge
Mussel encrusted pilings
Thea Foss Waterway tug boat
Making our crossing to Browns Point
Love this colorful little beach house
Kayak landing
Lunch time at Browns Point
Let the games begin
Auto graveyard
And the winner is...not the kayaker
That's me oblivious to a 300-ton cargo ship bearing down. BTW, they have some incredibly loud horns.
