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| For the Puget Sound Wooden Kayakers January paddle we had SUNSHINE and temps in the upper 30's even though 1 - 3" of snow and 20kt winds were forecast. It was a nice leisurely mid winter paddle. The weather cooperated and we even got to eat hot chili and cornbread without getting rained on! Unheard of in the Pacific Northwest in January....or any month with a J...or an A...or E. On the trip south we enjoyed looking at the multimillion dollar homes in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Some right on the water, some up on the bluff. A few with enclosed glass trams to shuttle from the enormous house on the hill down to the perfectly landscaped waterfront garden. To me, a few of them would have been the perfect spot for a bonfire, roasted weenies and BBQ beans. Simple pleasures for simple minds. We rounded Webster point and headed west across Union Bay toward the University of Washington football stadium. Usually a good spot for catching a free ride on a large pleasure boat wake but not today. Bad weather forecast scared everyone off. The narrow concrete lined Montlake Cut that joins Lake Washington with Lake Union can also be a challenging spot in the summer with large boat wakes bouncing off the walls. Today it was pond flat but crossing thru meant lunch was near. My wife Kathy and two boys met us with hot lunch prepared, a treat I could get used to on the cold winter paddles. Thanks dear, I owe you one. Our return trip took us through the University of Washington Arboretum, a swampy and this time, very shallow bird sanctuary and garden park. Its a strange spot winding your way through the freeway pilings, then back thru a small waterway along a golf course with tall trees lining the banks. The weather was closing in and snow was falling on the hills across the lake as we loaded the boats up. By the time we were driving out of the park the snow had moved over to our side. Another magic day. Sometimes it pays to just ignore the forecast and go try anyway. Note to self: go buy a neoprene hood for the rolling practice. |
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