Kayaking trips 2014

2014 Dec 28

Sammamish River: Dec 28

3.9 miles, singles

First outing in Mel's single. Upstream until she was tired.

Lake Wa: Dec 26

5.2 miles, solo

Practice and exercise. Accidental dump: self-rescue didn't work, went to shore.

Ship Canal & Puget Sound: Dec 6

15.8 miles, solo

Through the Ballard locks to the Sound. I learned kayaks go in locks last. Kayaks also aren't high enough above the water to avoid diesel fumes. Through Shilshole to Golden Gardens. Winds from the S made surf-able rollers. Heard a kayaker call for rescue on the marine radio. I saw an ocean bulk carrier stop to help. Wind in my face all the way back.

Lake Union: Nov 29

6.9 miles, solo

UW aquatic center through arboretum. Portage in arboretum due to fallen trees. Quickly dark. To Lk Union and back. Explore by a few houseboats; sheltered mirror-smooth dark water and reflections of two-story houses gave illusion of flying. Dry suit sleeve freezing on car roof after take out.

Sammamish River: Nov 28

3 miles, solo

First time in my new kayak: fantastic boat. Briefly up river after dark. Three times a beaver slapped water beside me.

Alki & Duwamish: Oct 11

13.4 miles, tandem

Some wind from the south, so whitecaps off Alki Point. Turned back there. Surfed some of the rollers. Fog hid Seattle. Rain so heavy the water looked like grass. Took break at put-in. Up Duwamish. Under bridge of fishermen.

Mukilteo: Oct 5

5.4 miles, tandem

N from ferry dock. Boring along train tracks. Snacked by private park.

Lk Union & Ship Canal: Sept 20

12.1 miles, tandem

Big loop around lake, to locks and back.

Golden Gardens & Discovery Park: June 5

8.2 miles, tandem

From Golden to Discovery. To Ballard Locks entrance & return.

Deception Pass & Ben Ure: Apr 13

7.9 + 2.6 miles, tandem

Stayed in Ben Ure cabin. Through Canoe Pass, around Deception Is. to Burrows Bay. Back through Deception Pass - currents picking up speed. Avoided whirlpools. Next day observed significant surf though Deception. Canoe Pass when tide slowed, but pushed though some rollers. Returned at full slack.

LaConner & Swinomish Channel: Mar 22

10.2 miles, tandem

From LaConner, portage over breakwater, in Skagit Delta, around Goat Is. Lunch by log booms. Visited old gun emplacements: heavy with mossy vegetation. Up channel by LoConner and back.

Camano Island: Feb 21

9.5 miles, tandem

Stayed at Cama Beach for our anniversary. S from park to Elger Bay and back.

Lk Wa & Juanita Bay: Feb 1

7.1 miles, tandem

OO Denny to Juanita, across to Magnuson, and back.

Total 2014 = 111 miles