Trip4

Everett to Mukillteo
Saturday 3/17/01 10 miles round trip

Overcast and light winds leaving the public boat launch at 6:45 AM, still using the plastic whitewater paddle but now have a sprayskirt and installed a seatback, I'm anxious to see how much better it is having something to push against. Still no footpegs though and in under 10 min I'm feeling like my legs and stomach muscles can't take anymore. Pulled over at the public dock in the marina to try and adjust the seatback higher, it seems like it keeps slipping down and keeps me out of a normal paddling posture, making me lean back too much.
Still no relief, I pull over again and loosen it all the way up and end up almost sitting on top of it for the rest of the day. Very uncomfortable, I paddle for 10 min and slide down in the cockpit with my back against the coaming and relax.
I'm heading south toward Forest Park, so are all the fisherman and the boat wakes get pretty big after leaving the "no wake" zone. I'm more comfortable with the sprayskirt on and decide to just let them overtake me from the stern, most are under 2 ft and roll under easily with a backpaddle or two to keep from surfing. One of these days I'll be hanging out here wishing for bigger waves but not without a few rolling lessons.
1 mile south I cross the bow of a navy aircraft carrier docked most of the time here in Everett. I'm only about 200 ft away and it looks like a 50 story highrise. Very impressive, I'm hoping never to see one this close out in open water!
Pull up for a short rest just off from a beach that has been a biking destination lately with the boys, I've spent some time sitting on the rocks looking out at the water dreaming of the day when I would be able to see the view from on the water, it sure feels good to finally get to do it! Today there are 3 deer walking along the beach, they must use the railroad tracks to get around, all is either steep hillside or fenced off here.
Back to paddling, I head south toward the distant point of the Mukilteo ferry dock. Lots of seals out today, they seem to be traveling in pairs and don't pay much attention to me. Once in a while one will jump completely out of the water.....playing?......or trying to get away from a predator?......must be playing but being alone, my mind wanders.
Take a break to make a few phone calls while resting and drifting, good friends I've got to torture a little, neither one home but get a startle about 1/2 hr later when the phone rings. While talking with Jim a BIG seal comes up about 30 ft from the bow, blows a spray and looks at me then disappears.
At the point I call home to let the boys know I will meet them at the Forest Park beach in a half an hour. This means I've got to crank it up on the way back, my legs and stomach seem to have adjusted to the strain and aren't complaining as much anymore.
By the time I get to the beach the boys have been waiting for 15 min and are anxious to go for a paddle. I stagger out and grab the snack I brought while they have a go at it. Took me an hour to get the boat back from them...I've got to look into a shock collar or something like that :)
Time to get this trip over with and head for a hot shower and a big breakfast, make that lunch, its taken longer than I thought to get back to the car and load the boat. I'm really worn out now, looking foreward more to a nap on the couch. No luck though, the boys and Tim my brother want to go for a bike ride. We end up going 20 miles...I just know I'm going to pay for it for a couple of days!! Feels good to be sore again after a long winter of not much activity.