It's cold. Bone chilling cold. But we're heading out to the water anyway. There's about 10 of us heading out from Salisbury Point park to Hood Head Island, which is more of a gravel spit than a real island.
The alongshore paddling was mostly protected but then when we crossed over, there was some significant wind which made things interesting...and wet...and even colder.
We made it across and as we approached Hood Head, I saw the famous dragon made our of driftwood. At first I thought it was just the natural way the driftwood landed but now understand that that someone actually made the dragon - no one knows who. People rehabilitate that dragon every year which is very cool.
This was my first experience with wind and turbulent water so I didn't realize how powerful a side wave could be. So as I was busy getting my camera ready to take pictures, I was unaware that I was being pushed closer to the shore, very quickly. I ended up beached and struggled fighting to relaunch myself against the force of the waves. Note: It's easier to launch into the waves than sideways of them :-|
Trying to regain my composure and fiddling with my camera, I somehow managed to let my paddle slip away. Yep, paddling in wind without a paddle is hard to do. Note: Always carry a spare paddle or use paddle leash in windy conditions. Finally made it to my paddle and drenched up to my elbows, I caught up with the rest of the paddlers who were watching my little comedy of errors show.
We stopped at a little beach to have lunch. Some lessons learned here: 1) Always bring along a jacket or something to warm you up. 2) Invest in really really good winter gloves 3) Pogies are your best friend in 55 degree weather 4) heat packets don't work 5) hot coffee or tea in a thermos will get you instant friends.
After lunch, paddled back along Hood Canal bridge to the park but this time, it wasn't a leisurely social paddle. I couldn't feel my fingers and all I wanted was to get off the water and into my warm car.
It's about an 8 mile round trip from launch point to the head and back along the Hood Canal bridge. By the time I made it back, my body temperature was back up and I had enough fuel left in me to go explore Port Gamble a littler further down the shore.
I guess experiences like this make you a better and more prepared paddler. Or it can make you throw in the towel. I'm of the former school of thought.
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