Kayaking trips 2025
2025 Jan 1Stewart, Orcas, and Jones Islands; April 24 - 27
Blog: Kayak Camping: Stewart, Orcas, Jones
- Day 1: 15 mi from Friday Harbor to Stewart Island
Kayaking trips 2024
2024 Nov 11Lake Cavanaugh; December 28
- 8 mi
Comfortably cold day with rain most of the loop. Lovely with gray clouds coming down the ridge. Sometimes couldn't even see the end of the lake because of the clouds. Texted Melanie by satellite.
Looped around island remembering when we had visited with our Sea-Doo boat. Family of Austin's friend Carrie owned half the island. They were hosting a campout, and we took some of them wakeboarding.
Kayaking trips 2023
2023 Dec 23Lake Washington, Dec 22
- 25 mi along east side of Lake Washington
Renton to Kenmore: This completed my circumnavigation of the lake that I started in 2016. Melanie dropped me off and picked me up.
Put in at Renton. Clouds were hanging on the trees of Mercer Island, giving an effect of mysteriousness. Light rain until afternoon. Fingers quite cold.
Saw eagles, cormorants, ducks of all interesting kinds. I was surprised to see river otters (about half a dozen total), some sleek black (and curious about me), also a larger tan variety.
Broke for an early lunch at Meydenbaur Bay Park. Brought my camping stove, so I had hot chocolate to drink, however, I never actually warmed up then or later. Three people came and did a cold plunge in the lake; they were shivering by the time they left.
So many fancy houses! When I went by Bill Gate's, they were putting up a large scaffolding above most of the house (interesting!). A guard was watching and called out to me (probably because I was moving slowly). Ignoring him, I moved on.
Saw very few others on the lake. (two boats all day?) A small floatplane was practicing landings and takeoffs. It was strange to see it land, stop, and then race down the surface of the lake for a mile or more before climbing out.
It seemed like there was more house construction on the lake than before. One near Juanita had caught fire and the firemen were there putting it out.
The sky slowly cleared and the sun finally came out. Called Melanie before I got to Kenmore and we arrived there at the same time. Again, tired, but not sore. Long shower at home to warm up.
Kayaking trips 2016
2016 Jan 30Lake Washington: E of Mercer Island, Jan 30
8.8 mi, single
Loop from I-90, Meydenbauer Bay, to Mercer & back. Directly into wind and waves crossing to Mercer, then still water in lee of island. Few ducks and geese. Pretty sunset. Fancy houses!
Kayaking trips 2015
2015 Dec 30Lake Washington length, Dec 30
23 mi, single, along (mostly west side of lake)
Kenmore to Renton: Put the boat on the van the night before. Significant frost on it that melted after I left Kenmore. Light wind mostly in my favor, but sun in my face all day. Wildlife: only common birds. Beautiful changing views of snow covered foothills, Cascades and Olympics.
Put in at Sammamish River boat launch. Briefly stopped at St. Edwards to loosen my skeg. Took a break at Magnuson Park. Observed the 520 construction. Stopped for a hot lunch at an Irish Madison Park restaurant. On to Seward Park for a final break. Sunset. Arrived at Coulon Park.
My phone died (freezing cold). Melanie not waiting for me there, so I changed out of my dry suit and got something warm to eat at the adjacent (serendipitous) Ivars restaurant. After I warmed up my phone by putting it next to my skin, it restarted (with 1/2 battery). Melanie found me at the same time. Tired, not sore.
(See east side completion in 2023.)
Kayaking trips 2014
2014 Dec 28Sammamish River: Dec 28
3.9 miles, singles
First outing in Mel's single. Upstream until she was tired.
Kayaking trips 2013
2013 Oct 26Lk Sammamish N.: Oct 26
6 miles, tandem
Loop around N end of lake. A bit into Sammamish river.
Kayaking trips 2012
2012 Sep 3Lake Whatcom - South End: September 3
10.2 miles, tandem Map
Beautiful day. Put in at southwest point. Wind and chop (with some white caps) from north. (Not disconcerting - we must be getting more comfortable.) Enjoyed the undeveloped shoreline.
Kayaking trips 2011
2011 Oct 1Intro
We sold a power boat and bought a used tandem kayak instead. This turned out to be a great choice. Little-by-little we have improved our equipment and skills, and are really enjoying the kayaking hobby:
Lake Washington - Seward Park / Mercer Island: Oct 1
7.2 miles, tandem From a park near Ohlers Island, around Seward Park, across to Mercer Island, and then north. Re-cross to the point of Seward Park, then around Andrews Bay, and back.