Get Outside -- Do Stuff: 8/2012 Olympic Penisula Kayak Trip

A wonderful trip to the Olympic peninsula along the Straight of Juan de Fuca. I was fortunate to be accompanied by two good kayakers and outdoors friends Mike and Marlene Martin, and my two loves Josie and Bubbles.

It was raining in Port Angeles when we pulled in. Thankfully it stopped just prior to arriving at our camp destination, Salt Creek recreation area. The camp rests on a coastal bluff just above the surf. It is a gift to the senses to lay in bed and listen to the surf and take in the moist coastal air.

I was awaken at 2 am by my sweetie. Husband wake up, I hear animal noises outside, do something! She wanted me to be the man, get out of my warm bag and go investigate the ruckus. I wanted to roll over and ignore the noise but, being a drop dead handsome guy especially in the middle of the night guy I am, I stuck my head from the tent to discover three little bandit raccoons pouncing on Marlene's personal bag. They had successfully unzipped half the bag and were processing the contents, tossing the non edibles about. The little bandits were heard raiding other camps across the campground that night and every night thereafter. Sure glad Bubbles didn't see them, oh man, he'd had the whole camp awake.

What a cool tent!

I was really stoked about our first full day on the Olympic Peninsula. We decided to paddle out to the historic Dungeness light house, a paddle of three miles from the launch point and about one hour each way. A very cool experience paddling with the seals and watching the eagles and other birds along the Dungeness wildlife preserve.

On the way

View from the light tower

The Dungeness Light Station

Bubbles getting ready to leave with his folks

On the return trip

The good life after a hearty fish dinner

The second day offered us ample opportunity to surf the waves in the Straight of Juan de Fuca, adjacent to the camp.

Out in the swells

Along the coast

The last day offered an opportunity to explore Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park. The water is a magnificent blue/green color and very deep (like 600').