Greetings from Anacortes, Washington, where Beth’s doing some book-related promotion, we’re visiting with Beth’s sister Cheryl and her husband Rich, we’re breathing pristine air, we’re eating fresh seafood, and I’m consuming some beautiful views. There’s a ton to say about the San Juan Islands and Anacortes, Skagit County…but I’m too tired.
I paddled a three-hour kayak tour around a couple islands this morning, and boy are my arms tired. And about everything else—I forgot you use all kinds of muscles when you kayak. And I’d only ever kayaked in the still waters of Pamlico Sound at North Carolina’s Outer Banks, so this ocean thing was a little more of everything.
Today was windy and choppy and a test but thanks to a great guide, I and everyone else in the group had a ball and lived to tell about it.
But I’ll do that on another day, except for one tale that maybe the guide would rather I not. At the end of the the tour as we docked our kayaks, our leader was emphatic: “Please, this is the only part of the trip I’ve ever seen anyone fall in the water, so be careful getting out of the boat.”
A worthwhile warning. After stretching out straight in a skinny little boat in front of me for two hours, my legs didn’t want to do much of anything. So I gingerly dragged myself out and onto the dock, where I collected myself for bit before attempting to stand. Once I did, I followed my fellow kayakers, all wobbly-legged, and as we were headed off the dock, our guide caught up to me. I noticed him behind my right shoulder. And then I heard a grunt and big splash. The guide had caught his foot on the dock, and did a hop into the water.
The first thing he did was hand me his phone. Then we helped him out of the water. “I’ve always thought about how embarrassing that would be,” he said. “Now I’ve got it over with.”
The phone worked, and he laughed it off.
And boy am I tired. With that I’ll leave you with a video I took at a scenic lookout in a park named Cap Sante last night. This place is beautiful.
It sounds like you have had a great kayak adventure in the northwest!! Can’t wait to hear about the next adventure!
It IS a beautiful place. Three hours kayaking in wiindy/choppy conditions seems to be a bit over achieving but a wonderful way to explore the area. What’s up for today…a hike thru Washington Park?
Well, it was paid for before I woke up so I toughed it out. Though it was pretty hairy for a few moments. We did end up walking that park.
What a coincidence, Mike! I just returned from a trip to the Pacific Northwest, visiting a cousin in Bellingham, WA, and going to Vancouver, BC, for a couple of days to sightsee and take in Bard on the Beach, an annual summer Shakespeare festival on the Fraser River, an event I can’t recommend highly enough. It’s hot and muggy back here in Chi-town, so enjoy the temperate climate while you can.
I’ve heard about the festival before, thanks for the tip. Yeah, today is our first day back. 89 degrees and an air quality advisory. Sad face.
A coincidence for us too….we just booked a flight to go to the Olympic peninsula later in August. I had instructions to find someplace cool. Literally cool. So glad you guys had fun!
You did good. We were on water, so the weather might not be the same, but it was low 70s, low humidity, sunny enough to feel warm, with a cool breeze. Bring sunscreen.
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Ahh, being from Washington (Poulsbo), in the back of my mind I had hoped to perhaps meet Beth on her next trip to Washington or perhaps on my next trip to Chicago. Well this past week you were in Washington and we were in Chicago. Glad you had fun. We did enjoy the heat from the Midwest. It helped to warm my northwest chilled bones.
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