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Well here is a journal like entry for the amazing kayaking weekend that I just got back from yesterday. It was a 4 day, 3 night paddle into the San Juan Islands. The weather was glorious!

DAY ONE - Anacortes to James Island

We drove down to Anacortes in the Miata, which was packed to the brim with supplies and camping equipment. A short stop at A&W for an early lunch and then we paid for the kayak at the shop before picking it up at the back marina. In hindsight taking a car that would have allowed us to take off from Rosario Strait would have made life a little easier. However I digress, we started our paddle at noon and crossed Geumes Channel to avoid ferries and other boat traffic. It is quite a challenge to paddle across a large body of water in a tiny kayak with large boats, larger ferries and speed boats causing all sorts of wake.
I only got more daunting when we crossing Bellingham Strait, however by the time we needed to cross Rosario Strait I was so tired and sore that we turned toward James Island and paddled our way across to the island.

James Island is a great little island that is a state park and has a Washington Water Trails site for paddlers, moorings for larger boats and a dock. There are three distinctly different camping areas that each have their own benefits. This night we were up high on the saddle.

Absolutely stuffed after a days paddling we dined on Angel-hair Pasta and Chicken in a creamy Alfredo and mushroom sauce. Just because you camp doesn't mean you cannot eat well! Oh and a nice bottle of white wine didn't hurt either!

DAY TWO - James Island to Spencer Spit

Thick fog greeted us on day two. It did not clear completely all day, but by noon we were able to leave bay. Before leaving though we had some wonderful egg muffins!

The plan was to ride the currents up to Doe Island. Currents and tides were something I had never encountered paddling in rivers, but around the islands here they make a lot of difference to your paddling experience!

We crossed Thatcher Pass in good time and broke early for a nice lunch on a deserted beach. We watched a sea otter playing in the kelp, while he kept an eye on us.

We headed up the coast of Blakley Island, then started heading up toward Doe Island however we realized we were both tired and changed our plans to head to Spencer Spit. So we turned down Pevine Pass and across the top of the island. Somewhere along the way we picked up a seal which tailed us for the rest of the trip. It was fun to see him bob up every now and then checking us out as we rounded the island.

We had to give way to a sea plane taxiing out to take off, which was an impressive site! Another impressive site were the waterfront homes we passed. Most had views to die for, while they obviously did not change the landscape or trees at all, which was great to see!

We eventually made it down to Spencer Spit, where absolutely every power and sail boat (I counted 47) had moored for Sunday night. Besides us however the Water Trails site was empty.

On the beach we dined on Gnocchi and then more Angel-hair (thanks to a draining incident!) and drowned our sorrows with a bottle of red wine!

DAY THREE - Spencer Spit to James Island

We started the day with another muffin or two and then walked over to Lopez Village to hit the bakery and coffee shop. After an hours walk we were disappointed to find out that the coffee shop had been sold and then gone out of business, however the bakery (an island institution) served us a great lunch!

We hit the other coffee shop that was not that amazing, tried to find a taxi, then started to walk back to the Spit. A lady in a station wagon picked us up and took us some of the way which helped us to no end as our legs were weary!

We then packed up and caught the current back to James Island. The seal joined us again. The paddle was nice. I tried to use my kite to pull us along but the wind was all over the place, so it did not work at all. We picked out some waterfront property that might be a nice buy. Then we hit the island, and chased Aaron the Heron around it, solitary and alone except for a couple of sailing boats moored at the dock.

We had a great stir-fry for dinner and watched the sun set over the back of the island, before heading off for bed.

DAY FOUR - James Island to Anacortes

We woke early and ate the rest of our food. We were happy to see that the water was flat and the wind was nonexistent.

We headed off and the paddle was easy until we hit Guemas Straight and the wind picked up. We battled against a current and a head wind but eventually made it back to the beach we headed off from four days earlier.

Sore and tired we cleaned the kayak, packed the Miata and headed back to A&W for a great lunch. Two hours later we were back in Seattle soaking in a hot tub.

This was a fantastic trip and the first of many. Next time we hope to have our own wooden boat constructed to use.

Well it merely a "sleep" away and I will be off on my four day kayak adventure!

Tonight it is stuff and pack time. To bed early so we can be off to pick up the kayak we are renting, load it and be off before the currents turn and have us swept out to the ocean. Well ok I don't think they will be that bad but if we can get a free ride or have an easier day crossing Rosario Strait to get to the islands then why not?

Anyway no posts over the weekend! Have a great Labor Day Weekend if your in the USA.

Well here is a journal like entry for the amazing kayaking weekend that I just got back from yesterday. It was a 4 day, 3 night paddle into the San Juan Islands. The weather was glorious!

DAY ONE - Anacortes to James Island

We drove down to Anacortes in the Miata, which was packed to the brim with supplies and camping equipment. A short stop at A&W for an early lunch and then we paid for the kayak at the shop before picking it up at the back marina. In hindsight taking a car that would have allowed us to take off from Rosario Strait would have made life a little easier. However I digress, we started our paddle at noon and crossed Geumes Channel to avoid ferries and other boat traffic. It is quite a challenge to paddle across a large body of water in a tiny kayak with large boats, larger ferries and speed boats causing all sorts of wake.
I only got more daunting when we crossing Bellingham Strait, however by the time we needed to cross Rosario Strait I was so tired and sore that we turned toward James Island and paddled our way across to the island.

James Island is a great little island that is a state park and has a Washington Water Trails site for paddlers, moorings for larger boats and a dock. There are three distinctly different camping areas that each have their own benefits. This night we were up high on the saddle.

Absolutely stuffed after a days paddling we dined on Angel-hair Pasta and Chicken in a creamy Alfredo and mushroom sauce. Just because you camp doesn't mean you cannot eat well! Oh and a nice bottle of white wine didn't hurt either!

DAY TWO - James Island to Spencer Spit

Thick fog greeted us on day two. It did not clear completely all day, but by noon we were able to leave bay. Before leaving though we had some wonderful egg muffins!

The plan was to ride the currents up to Doe Island. Currents and tides were something I had never encountered paddling in rivers, but around the islands here they make a lot of difference to your paddling experience!

We crossed Thatcher Pass in good time and broke early for a nice lunch on a deserted beach. We watched a sea otter playing in the kelp, while he kept an eye on us.

We headed up the coast of Blakley Island, then started heading up toward Doe Island however we realized we were both tired and changed our plans to head to Spencer Spit. So we turned down Pevine Pass and across the top of the island. Somewhere along the way we picked up a seal which tailed us for the rest of the trip. It was fun to see him bob up every now and then checking us out as we rounded the island.

We had to give way to a sea plane taxiing out to take off, which was an impressive site! Another impressive site were the waterfront homes we passed. Most had views to die for, while they obviously did not change the landscape or trees at all, which was great to see!

We eventually made it down to Spencer Spit, where absolutely every power and sail boat (I counted 47) had moored for Sunday night. Besides us however the Water Trails site was empty.

On the beach we dined on Gnocchi and then more Angel-hair (thanks to a draining incident!) and drowned our sorrows with a bottle of red wine!

DAY THREE - Spencer Spit to James Island

We started the day with another muffin or two and then walked over to Lopez Village to hit the bakery and coffee shop. After an hours walk we were disappointed to find out that the coffee shop had been sold and then gone out of business, however the bakery (an island institution) served us a great lunch!

We hit the other coffee shop that was not that amazing, tried to find a taxi, then started to walk back to the Spit. A lady in a station wagon picked us up and took us some of the way which helped us to no end as our legs were weary!

We then packed up and caught the current back to James Island. The seal joined us again. The paddle was nice. I tried to use my kite to pull us along but the wind was all over the place, so it did not work at all. We picked out some waterfront property that might be a nice buy. Then we hit the island, and chased Aaron the Heron around it, solitary and alone except for a couple of sailing boats moored at the dock.

We had a great stir-fry for dinner and watched the sun set over the back of the island, before heading off for bed.

DAY FOUR - James Island to Anacortes

We woke early and ate the rest of our food. We were happy to see that the water was flat and the wind was nonexistent.

We headed off and the paddle was easy until we hit Guemas Straight and the wind picked up. We battled against a current and a head wind but eventually made it back to the beach we headed off from four days earlier.

Sore and tired we cleaned the kayak, packed the Miata and headed back to A&W for a great lunch. Two hours later we were back in Seattle soaking in a hot tub.

This was a fantastic trip and the first of many. Next time we hope to have our own wooden boat constructed to use.

Well it merely a "sleep" away and I will be off on my four day kayak adventure!

Tonight it is stuff and pack time. To bed early so we can be off to pick up the kayak we are renting, load it and be off before the currents turn and have us swept out to the ocean. Well ok I don't think they will be that bad but if we can get a free ride or have an easier day crossing Rosario Strait to get to the islands then why not?

Anyway no posts over the weekend! Have a great Labor Day Weekend if your in the USA.