With a little trepidation, some wringing of hands over appropriate attire and much enthusiasm, we four young-at-heart, adventurous ladies set out for our kayak expedition. We were to meet our guide at the San Juan Kayak Expeditions kiosk in Friday Harbor. “Look for the white picket fence and blue umbrellas” were the directions given.
Our guide, Kile, was waiting for us with release forms and code of conduct pledges to sign after which we piled into the van and made off to San Juan County Park located on the west side of the island.
We geared up with the ever fashionable kayak skirts and life vests, and helped Kile schlep two big tandem sea kayaks down to the water. Being a young strong person, Kile carried his single kayak alone. We stowed our dry sacks, water bottles, and water pumps in the kayaks. After a brief paddling and safety lesson, we tried to get settled into the kayaks as gracefully as possible. Let’s just say we all managed but “graceful” is not a word that would occur to you while watching the spectacle.
After a bit of paddle awkwardness, we settled into a comfortable rhythm and slid through the water like, well, the novices we were. These kayaks had rudders which could be maneuvered with your feet via rudimentary pedals. Push the left pedal and you turn left, etc.
The weather was great. Cool but not cold, no wind, and the predicted rain never materialized. The sea had very little chop and only a couple of times did we have to position our kayaks strategically to ride the waves generated by the wake of a passing boat. Fun roller coaster riding for a few moments. Sometimes we needed to dodge floating driftwood and pick long strands of kelp off our paddles.
Kile, a 25 year old kid, was knowledgeable and patient. He had arrived on the island only two months prior but sounded as though he’d lived on the island all his life. He had driven from Michigan in his built out van, which was also his home. He paid a reasonable monthly fee to a woman so he could park in her driveway and tap into her water and electric. An increasingly difficult issue on the island is affordable housing for those who come here for seasonal work.
Kile had been a kayak guide on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior where the waters could get treacherous. When asked about kayaks flipping over, he said oh yes, many times in the lakes because of stupid antics on the part of the customers liquored up with too much beer. But, he hastened to assure us, never here.
Kile thought after this summer on San Juan Island, he would winter in Bellingham (Washington) so he could snow board and then perhaps Hawaii was his next destination for guiding kayaking expeditions. His real end goal was to become a film maker.
What we saw: A porpoise and a harbor seal, schools of jumping fish (some type of bottomfish) brown geese with babies in tow, honking their way up the cliff side, deer frolicking, and pigeon guillemots fishing. The pigeon guillemots are in the same family as puffins and have some of the same markings.
By the end of 4 hours of paddling, we were all tired but, to our credit, not exhausted. Unfortunately, our bodies had stiffened into our seated kayak positions and our exit from the kayak could be described as even less graceful than our entrance. But, who cares?! We had done it and had a good time.
Back at the homestead, the evening light show seen from our deck.
