 1 Here we are out on Port Madison, enjoying some beautiful weather! |
 2 There were five of us, including Ben, who got to enjoy a ride in each of the vessels. |
 3 Susan rowing out to join Amy and Diana. |
 4 Trying out the SUP! |
 5 Such a beautiful morning among friends - enjoying a few more weeks of this beautiful weather! |
 6 As we paddled around, seals popped up to check us out. |
 7 One even barked at me from behind - spooked the bjeebers outta me! Ben thought that was funny. |
 8 In all we paddled 4 miles up and down Port Madison bay, home to the Port Madison Lumber Company beginning in 1854. |
 9 Thanks for giving Ben a lift back! He really enjoyed his ride in your dinghy. |
 10 We also got a tour of Susan's boat! |
 11 The next week we went to Liberty Bay in Poulsbo. |
 12 Much windier - about 19 mph gusts. Made it interesting on the SUP, so Ben rode in the canoe. Thanks to Amy and Brie for a wonderful morning for him! |
 13 This is what it felt like on the SUP when the gusts kicked up. Hard to paddle, point, and take a picture of a starfish clinging to a pier! |
 14 That's better... |
 15 The biggest star fish in the world I think! 2 1/2 to 3 ft across! Seriously big. |
 16 This was funny... |
 17 The Olympic Mtns in the distance. |
 18 Seals in repose. |
 19 And there's no way a camera can capture how pretty this scene was, looking through the marina and all the sails up to the town of Poulsbo with the Lutheran Kirk in relief. Ben took me out to lunch afterwards at JJs. What a nice morning! |
 20 Ben and I embarking on a solo adventure at Manzanita Bay - our friends couldn't make it this morning so we decided to just see if we could do it. Ben is very excited to put this canoe in the water! I"m wishing my SUP was that easy to maneuver around :) |
 21 And we made it! We're out on very calm water exploring up a little bay and into the creek which feeds it. |
 22 Love the boots :) |
 23 This is the end of the creek for us! It's high tide so we could get pretty far back. So peaceful! |
 24 Hi buddy! |
 25 Getting ready to put the canoe in! |
 26 We found an underwater spring. Lots of bubbles! |
 27 On our way back out to the bay. |
 28 But first we spot a tiny lighthouse we need to check out on the far shore. |
 29 Keeping the bow up so we don't "pearl" (get a ton of water in the canoe and cause it to capsize). He learned bow and stern today. |
 30 Trolling along, just like Dick Proenneke. |
 31 Getting closer to the lighthouse. I'm paddling and wiping the camera lens frequently here. It's misting the whole time but so peaceful and calm. |
 32 Almost there! |
 33 Wondering if it has little lights on at night? |
 34 And we're back! I'm using Ben's life vest to prop the SUP up while I figure out how I'm getting it back on the truck :) |
 35 A collage I made - Picasa is pretty cool! |
 36 The spring in action. |
 37 And a little of my buddy with his canoe. |
 38 Getting ready to launch. The tide was very low when we set out. |
 39 Hmmm...he has so many funny faces! |
 40 Look who we found on the water! |
 41 Can you see Seattle in the distance? |
 42 Surprise! Hi, Randy! This is Sam's guitar teacher - he lives on his boat at the marina. He is not this huge - not a flattering picture taken from waterline! |
 43 Ben loved all the houseboats. |
 44 With their little doors and windows. |
 45 |
 46 |
 47 Heading back now - tide is coming in so it was less work. Lots of gliding. |
 48 We put in way down at the end of the inlet past where that small marina is. |
 49 A long carry for me with that big, hulking SUP. But I'm managing. |
 50 |
 51 Meet "Paul Simon" who is on a canoe ride. |
 52 In a little habitat I made for Ben after we got back. Lots of discussion about "Paul" and whether or not he knows how to swim. It was very funny! |