Paddle: Shaw Island

Today a gang (14+) of BASKers made a slow trip around Shaw Island. It was another beautiful, sunny day. We enjoyed an early lunch at Neck Point. After lunch, Glen, Jesse, Dean and I road the easy currents back to Odlin Park. Within minutes of landing Rho and my folks pulled up and enjoyed a picnic lunch whiled we loaded up boats. No photos today as I managed to lose my camera in the morning.

Click on the map to enlarge.

4th July Parade

This morning Rho and I packed up our camp site and said our good-byes to Ingrid and Paul. I went for a bike ride, making a loop around the north end of Lopez Island. I headed to the Islander Resort to pick up mom & dad who were arriving by sea plane. There was a 4th of July parade down Fishermans Bay Road and sat on the bike frame and watched waiting for the sea plane to arrive. I was surprised to see Rho drive by in the parade with my truck, kayak and mom in the passenger seat. It seems the sea planes were not allowed to take-off from Lake Union on July 4 so mom an dad had departed from Boeing Field and landed at Lopez Airfield. Dad arrived shortly later in the Islander van.

In the evening we cooked up a bunch of sautéed vegetables. Bob and Becky had initiated a big salmon bake at the camp site. Mom and Dad had a great time meeting all the BASKers, sipping wine and enjoying the wonderful salmon.

Photos

Shower Party

After kayaking Rho picked me up at the Mackaye Harbor take-out. We founded our way back to the shower point at Lopez Village. It was a gathering point for other kayakers from other trips. Then Becky bought a six pack and it became a small party, then Bob bought a case and it became a big party.

After dinner at Bucky's with Becky and Bob, Rho and I hiked out to Cattle Pass to see if the current had picked up. It was still pretty mellow.
Photos

Paddle: Lopez Island West

Five of us (Rich, Vicky, Diana, Jesse and me) launched early from Spencer spit and paddled north around the north end of Lopez and then down the west side. We delayed taking on Cattle Pass until slack tide. Jesses and I made a long hike from Rock Point down to Cattle Pass to check conditions and kill time. Once we cleared Cattle Pass it was an easy paddle to Mackaye Harbor. This trip completed our circumnavigation of Lopez Island.
Photos

Paddle: Lopez Island East

Today we launched from Hunter's Bay and paddled clockwise around the SE corner of Lopez Island. It was a beautiful, warm day with high clouds. There were 7 of us Rich, Vicky, Jesse, Diana, Dan, Karen and me. Payette had spray skirt problems and did launch with us. It was a pretty mellow paddle with lots of photo ops (see the link below). We ate lunch at McArdle Bay. There were lots of seals, birds, and kelp along the south side of the island.

Photos

Paddle: Decatur Island

A gang of us launched from Spencer Spit at 10:00 and headed for lunch at James Island. The ferry chased us through Thatcher Pass. We went out into Rosario Straights and wrapped around the outside of James Island. We had a quick lunch on the west side of James Island and headed out for Lopez Pass before the water got too big. Lopez Pass was pretty tame when we went through and then headed north back to the Spit.

Photo Album

Vancouver to Edmonds

We were awoken by Rho's mom - Perla. She wanted us to eat a breakfast of Eggo's and bananas before power walking at the mall. After breakfast we drove over to the Westfield Vancouver for 20 laps. We were joined by one of Rudy's friends named Phil who is 80 years old. It seemed everyone was indoors as the it was raining off and on all morning.

After the hike we piled back into the Xterra and headed north to Tacoma to see my great-uncle Father Bill. It rained most of the way and I was beginning to worry about vacationing in Washington State. Father Bill was happy to see us. He lives in a house bordering Point Defiance Park. On Friday, they were getting the Taste of Tacoma into swing.

After our visit with Father Bill, we continued north to Edmonds to hook up with my sister Shannon. We were treated to a magic show by Nora and Daniel. My aunt Shelia showed with angle food cake and strawberrys (my favorite).