Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips: USA

Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts

8/6/12

Become a Lighthouse Keeper On Puget Sound

You can pay a weekly fee and stay in a few lighthouses on Puget Sound - Pt Robinson on Vashon, the NewDungeness Lighthouse in Sequim, Pt Brown near Tacoma, and Point No Point north of Kingston. All locations have amazing views and great water access for paddling.

More Info..

New Dungeness Lighthouse Keeper -
http://www.newdungenesslighthouse.com/lighthouse-keepers.html

Pt Robinson Lighthouse Keeper -
Click HERE.

Point No Point Lighthouse, Hansville, WA -
www.uslhs.org/vacation_rental.php

Browns Point Lighthouse, Tacoma -
www.pnehs.dreamhosters.com/lighthouse/?page_id=91

Other Lighthouse Keeper Opportunities in WA State:
- Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, Ilwaco, WA.

Lighthouse Keepers in the USA -
http://www.uslhs.org/index.php

7/13/12

The Lion's Mane Jellyfish

In summer on Pacific NW saltwater waterways, you'll begin to see jellyfish appearing in large numbers. The two most common jellyfish are Moon Jellies, and the largest of the two is the Lion's Mane, (cyanea capillata).

More Info from National Geographic online..
"The world’s largest creatures reside in the ocean, and its depths are home to unusual species whose surprising proportions are unknown on land.

Here, an underwater view captures the billowing tentacles of a lion’s mane jellyfish. The most potent species of jellyfish, the lion’s mane can reach a diameter of 6.6 feet (2 meters) with tentacles topping 49 feet (15 meters)."

Here's one shot just below the surface in Dewatto Bay on Hood Canal in July. Camera: Oregon Scientific ATC9K.

6/17/12

The Ikkatsu Project - Tracking Japanese Tsunami Debris in WA

The Ikkatsu Project is a group of Pacific NW scientists, paddling guides, and others who are tracking the Japanese tsunami debris along the Wasington coast. Read More HERE.

Recent post from Ken Campbell on Canoe Kayak Magazine online..
"This is an Exxon Valdez experience, just without the photos of oil-soaked otters and hay bales on the beach. The main mass is supposed to arrive in October, and all indications are it’s going to be huge. And, if you add “huge” to what we’ve already got onshore, the result is going to be nuclear. I don’t think I’m overstating this and I’m not making any money by being dramatic. It’s just true."

Follow Tacoma resident and paddle guide Ken Campbell's blog, the Last Wilderness, for photo and video updates of the project.

Seattle Times story on the Ikkatsu Project, 6/20/12:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018473502_tsunamifolo20.html

6/15/12

60 Trips Book Launch Party, 6/27/12 Noble Fir / Ballard

60 Trips Book Launch Party! June 27th (2012)
& WWTA Pub Night at The Noble Fir / Ballard / Seattle

WWTA friends and supporters at The Noble Fir in a benefit for Washington Water Trails Association on Wednesday, June 27, when $1 from each tap pour (pint of beer or cider) goes to WWTA throughout the night!

When: Wednesday, June 27, from 6:30pm until midnight
Where: The Noble Fir, 5316 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98119 http://thenoblefir.com/events.html

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

4/18/12

Lummi Island Ferry - Bring Cash!

If you decide to take the Lummi Island ferry make sure you bring exactly $13 in cash. No cards are accepted or checks. We found out en route as they were collecting before we landed on the island. Luckily we had enough. A fun ride, this tiny ferry is a 10 minute ride each way.

2/11/12

Paddling Trip #9 / Gig Harbor to Olalla

Located on Colvos Passage and the Kitsap Peninsula, Olalla is halfway between Southworth and Gig Harbor. Once known for it's strawberry crop which ripened earlier than other regions on Puget Sound, the 'town' consists of one small convenience store (closed at time of writing). We passed through here on July 4th 2011 while updating this book and were excited to see the locals sunning on the low tide beaches, fishing, boating, etc. The little inlet which dries out at low tide is also the boat ramp.

Olalla is a little over 6 miles from Gig Harbor to the south, and the same for Southworth to the north. The Current in Colvos Passage runs mostly north, so think of that when planning a trip here.

2/8/12

Paddling Patos Island, San Juan Islands, WA - Trip #50

Located a little over 4 miles from the north tip of Orcas Island, Patos Island offers the boater or paddler relative solitude, epic views, a protected gunkhole, and curvy sandstone rock formations. The paddle from Orcas to Patos can be easy if the wind and currents cooperate, or rather hardcore if not. Definitely a trip for experienced paddlers. We rated it 'Exposed' given the remoteness of the island and the potential difficulty to get there.

From Saturna Island in the BC Gulf Islands, the crossing is only 2.7 miles but that's through Haro Strait which can also be easy, or not due to fast moving current squeezing between the islands.

Despite the feeling of solitude from this image, in the height of summer on a weekend there were 8 or so boats moored in tiny Active Cove. The tent on the point was huge, could probably hold up to 7 and behind it tons of camping and food supplies scattered on the grassy point out of view.

Satellite View of Patos, Here.

2/7/12

Surf in the San Juans?

For years, I've heard for San Juan Island locals talk of catching surf off the islands' southern sections. I've spoken to two longboarders and one surf kayaker who have confirmed this. Last summer a prone paddler boarder friend said he caught a really long ride on a waist high wave in False Bay. And it's not surprising given it's location near the eastern opening of the Strait of Juan de Fuca which also delivers surfable swells to the west side of Whidbey Island. For those not familiar with NW surfing, the shorelines along both the Canadian and US side of the Strait have been popular surfing spots for years. For locals, waves must be a relief as getting to traditional surfing areas in BC or WA from the island is quite the trek. San Juan Island is Trip #52 in the book.

The image below is from the SW tip of San Juan Island in September.

1/3/12

Kayaking Indian Island to Portage Beach & Port Hadlock - Trip #43 -

Trip #43 - Indian Island is one of the most picturesque trips in the book with so many sights in such a short distance. The trip has multiple launches, moving current to protected inlets, two Cascadia Marine Trail campsites, and a hidden Naval base which may or may not have a Nuclear arsenal stored behind it's thick canopy of forest.

North of the bridge on Indian Island.

In the old book, Indian and Marrowstone Islands were one trip, but I find this area so interesting that I split them into two trips. Portage Beach is a new wwta site, and we added the Port Hadlock launch which is alongside our favorite restraunt, the Ajax Cafe. Here's a few pics from the Port Townsend Canal side of the island.

South of bridge by WWTA site.

Port Hadlock