The Elwha in the morning mist and another ferry in the distance.
The trip took about an hour and before we knew it we were in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, part of the San Juan Archipelago in the Salish Sea.
We were met by our guide, Anglea, from Crystal Seas Kayaking. She loaded us and 6 other kayakers into a van and off we went to the other side of the island to Snug Harbor Marina Resort – that is where Crystal Seas Kayaking is located.
Here we had a quick kayaking lesson and off we went! Right off the bat we saw several different kinds of jellyfish, including this giant one that Mike is holding. We also saw large purple starfish clinging to the rocks on the shoreline.
The sun was out and the water was calm, although there is a strong current. It took some coordination between Mike and me to keep us on track. He sat in the back and had the foot controls for the rudder which steers the kayak.
At one point we pulled into a kelp bed and Angela educated us with all kinds of information about kelp. The one in the first picture grows TEN INCHES A DAY! It’s used in ice cream and toothpaste. Angela eats kelp every day and I tried it – fresh out of the ocean – I liked it!
There were several enormous freighter ships on the sea…maybe they were headed to Seattle? They were so big and probably further away than they seemed. I sure wouldn’t want to get to close to one of those in a kayak.
We saw massive, soaring bald eagles, sunning harbor seals, and playful porpoise – but no killer whales that day. Angela says she comes across orcas about a quarter of the time she takes tours out. We were disappointed in that, but overall we enjoyed the 3-hour tour. We didn’t get wet and neither of us fell out of the kayak.
The gang heading back into Snug Harbor.
Mike and Angela.
Angela drove us all back to Friday Harbor and we had 2 hours to kill before our ferry to Anacortes arrived. We walked around the quaint little town and settled on Downriggers Restaurant for a late lunch on the deck overlooking the marina. Mike and I dreamed about boats and checked out all the marina activity.
Before long we were on the ferry where we both sacked out and took naps in the sun streaming though the windows. By 6:30 or so we were back on the road and home to Kenmore around 8. Happy (early) Birthday, Mike!
4 comments:
I went kayaking just once, many years ago. It was fun. Work too. There was no "steering mechanism." I steered with the paddle, which was part of the work.
Didn´t eat kelp, however.
Maybe it is time for me to take off a week to get up to the San Juans.
Señor Zapata - Work? Oh, yeah...but mostly on Mike's part.
We were both surprised, however, that our arms weren't aching after that workout.
And once Angela claimed she ate kelp, what could I do but try it??
Hi Steve - YES, you should make a trip north. There is a real calm up there in the islands...not at all like tropical islands, but a NW kinda calm...
sounds like you had a great day. hiked lake 22 today with family including 4 little ones ranging in age from 5 months to 5 years old.
taking them on the ferry tomorrow and on to hurricane ridge. we will probably do a short hike tomorrow as they are all pretty tired. they live in fl. and are in love with our mountains. who could blame them?
teresa
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