Return to Lake Union

After spending a number of days at Lake Union for my NWOC classes, it's become somewhat familiar territory and so I decided to come back this past weekend so I can keep working on my paddle strokes. But really, I just wanted to enjoy the water and since I was alone I didn't have to pace and I can hangout and float around. There's a lot of traffic in Lake Union and that's what makes it really interesting. Other than fellow kayakers and private boats, you have a float plane that lands and takes off in the middle of the lake (so watch that crossing!) and on occasion you might see row boats (single or group) or unusual crafts (well, unusual to me perhaps) like what looked like a kayak from afar but in close inspection looks more like a surfboard...I thought the guy on it had just flipped and might have been trying to swim back to the dock so I approached to see if he needed an assisted rescue (hey, great time for me to apply what I learned, right?) but turns out he really was just lying flat on the craft and paddling with his arms...I felt like a jerk as it appeared that I may have broken his stride and he had to lean up to take off his earphones....but after he realized I was just offering assistance he thanked me and went on his way.

What can I say? I'm new to the neighborhood :)

Deception Pass

It was a dim Sunday morning starting off of Bowman Bay that we made the trek of what was the final day of training from Seattle's NWOC. The destination was to get to Deception Pass and try paddle strokes against the different currents near the bridge. There was very light traffic that day, just your occasional speedboat or cruiser, and a log tug(?). I pretty much stayed last in the convoy, though I will say not by intention alone (I'm still a slow paddler :) ). It's great being last, though, as I always have these calm moments when I pause and just enjoy floating out there in open water, watching the island and sea from afar. It's a very peaceful experience.

We made a stop at a nearby trailhead to eat lunch, and then crossed further outward to Deception island. We then made our way back to Bowman Bay. The sun was out and really heating up...and yeah...I didn't have sunblock on :) so I'm pretty cooked, but happy :).