Anyone interested in kayaking in the San Juans this summer?

[KValley]

Since DH is off to Germany and France for 6 weeks this summer and I will be pining away at home, I am planning some mini-vacations for myself.

Thanks to browneye, I am set to become a woman of the wilderness in June (and so excited to meet you, Paula http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif). I've had it in my head for months now that I wanted to sea kayak in the San Juans.

I'd love it if those of you in the Northwest or those who could get out here for a spell would join me- I'm already working on kima! We could have a mini-CL reunion.

The organization is Outdoor Odysseys, out of Friday Harbor,WA. What I'm looking at is one of the 3 day "Eagles and Orcas" tours: $350, meals included. No previous kayaking experience necessary- I've never been in one, myself. The website is http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/

The dates under consideration are July 6-8, July 17-19 or July 20-22. I've checked with OO and there is still plenty of room on these tours. Bring your DH or DW or SO or whomever. I'll just feel pitiful by my lonesome http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

What do you think? It is an amazingly beautiful locale...

Julie

[Peggy]

Julie,

My husband and I love to sea kayak. Last year we went on a kayaking/camping trip off Vancouver Island and loved it. Coincidentally, we have been discussing a weekend in the San Juan Islands this summer! Unfortunately, we are not available on any of the dates you mention. We are on a rafting trip the 6-8th and will be scuba diving in the Bahamas during the other two. Too Bad!! Otherwise, we would have been very interested. Please let us know how it all turns out with Outdoor Odysseys! Maybe we can go on one of their trips another time.

Thanks!

Peggy

[aggie94]

Julie,

I checked out the website you mentioned, thinking that I might convince DH that this would be a well-deserved and much-needed vacation for both of us this summer! Unfortunately, I am NOT into camping. I'm not sure what I thought the trip would involve, given that it was 3 days and it was a sea-kayaking tour of the San Juan Islands (maybe a Marriott resort with a pool? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif). Otherwise, it would have been fun. Sorry! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[KValley]

LOL, Eva! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

I should have clarified this! The former Peace Corps volunteer side of me doesn't qualify this as "roughing it", but there are tents and sleeping bags involved (they supply the former, you the latter) and no showers (although lots of water!)

The menu for the first night is Smoked Salmon Fettucine, garlic bread, locally-grown organic salad greens, wine, Dutch oven apple crisp... tempting, eh?

[aggie94]

Julie,

I saw the menu for dinner the first night, and you're right -- it was VERY tempting! And the idea of being out there and seeing all those awesome sea creatures just outside your kayak sounds like such an incredible experience.

Tents and sleeping bags, however, are definitely considered 'roughing it' in my book. And no showers? Eeek! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

Seriously, it does sound like a lot of fun. And it would be, for most people, but the camping part would just ruin it for me. And what kind of impression would I make? Meeting fellow BBers for the first time, being all grouchy, b*tchy, and whiny about sleeping on the ground, the bugs, feeling grimy...trust me, you don't want to see me like that!

Have a great time, though! I'd love to hear all about it when you get back.

[kima]

Hi Julie! No need to "work" on me- I'm in!!! I went to the website and it looks wonderful!
My husband is a wildlife artist and so I have spent many a night far from showers and beds. I enjoy "roughing" it for a few days and then appreciate my creature comforts. However I don't think " fine wines and gourmet meals" fits into the roughing it category. Roughing is no coffee, hard ground, and dried foods for a week.
I sure hope more people can join us- it would be a blast http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Laura]

I am definitely going to look into this. I had to cancel a trip to Kauai this summer and I was mentioning to someone the other day how I really wanted to go sea kayaking. I will check it out this weekend. If I can't go this time, I will definitely try again another time.

[KValley]

Oh, I just came back from a two day R & R jaunt to the Olympic Peninsula, went as far west as Neah Bay. I grew up in that area (Sequim/Port Angeles), but I haven't been back in years. I am still reeling from the beauty and now I am psyched for the San Juans excursion. I may not come back.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[jazzyjas]

Julie --
I want to go -- have you narrowed down the dates at all? The first dates are too close to my sister's due date (the 7th -- it is the first grandchild and causing quite a bit of excitement in the family). I guess I should look into the cost of plane tickets. I have never been to that area

Jas

[browneye]

Kvalley- I just saw your post! I have been traveling this week, and hadn't checked the BB.. Looking forward to meeting you in the Wilderness weekend!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
I got my confirmation of my check, etc, but not any further detailed info yet...can't wait!

I wish I could do the San Juan Island trip. I have sailed twice as "captain of my ship" through the San Juans and it is unforgettable! Unfortunately, the summer is packing itself full for me, what with weddings, etc.... and DH and I are going to Banff/Jasper- no kids! What fun...

The only thing better than the menu described above is that menu in the beautiful San Juans!!! Which Islands are you going to be kayaking?

[jazzyjas]

Julie --

OK, I saw your post on Great Foods so I know you must be back from your conference (I am so excited about this kayaking idea that I had been checking the board daily for any new posts from you and figured you must be out of town). Have you narrowed down the dates at all? I would so love to go (and it would be fun to meet some other BB participants at the same time.

Jasmine

[KValley]

Hi Jasmine!

I'm so excited that you're excited! I must confess that I haven't given it much thought this last week- wrapped up in my work at a conference I just returned from. I am thinking, though, that the early dates are too close to the 4th and any family plans that may come up...

Let me get my life together here- unpack, unwind, get to the grocery store (DH subsists on eggs, peanut butter, and soup when I leave town), and then I will take a serious look at the San Juans, again.

I'll be back! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Julie

[kima]

Glad some of you are interested in this trip- the problem may be finding a date we can all make. I am fairly flexible but would like to make plans in the next couple of weeks!!
I know how you feel about resettling Julie! I just got back from a three day trip and can't believe the amount of laundry there is to do!! Going away is fun but it does disrupt any sense of order!! I look forward to hunkering down for awhile (unless I get called to teach) and boy am I tired of ferry food!! I want to COOK again!!! (Gee where did I find the time to check in here within an hour of getting home??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )

[This message has been edited by kima (edited 06-05-2001).]

[Tangerine]

Hello,

I hope you all have a fabulous time!

I just recently took a tour of a kayak factory, and it was exciting. There are vats and vats of color-tinted powder crystals. Life-sized metal kayak molds are filled with this tinted powder, and then lifted high into the air over unbelievably intense heat. Then, the machinery whirls the mold in wild figure 8’s over the heat, so that the powder fills into every nook and cranny of the mold, and quickly melts, turning very quickly into the final plastic of the kayak. Once the mold is drawn back to the work deck, the workers use machinery very, very quickly to remove the finished product from the mold and cool it down. The colors were great – bright lime green, orange. My favorite was a pinky purple – couldn’t take my eyes off it!!

Have fun!
Tangerine

[ewatkins]

Sounds like a great trip -- I have done day trips in Maine on sea kayaks and it's fabulous. Better start working on those arm muscles, however -- you are the power to make that kayak go!

[jazzyjas]

Julie-
OK, I don't want to be a pain but I need to make my travel arrangements pretty soon here to get good deals on airfare. I am leaning toward the earlier dates July 17-19. Had you narrowed it down yet?
Also is there anything I "must" do while in the state of Washington? I never have been to the Pacific North West but plan to take this trip in conjunction with a trip to Nevada.
It will be fun if we can coordinate this.

Jasmine

[KValley]

Jasmine,

You are not being a pain at all, but I'm afraid you are going to think I'm one!! Since returning from a few days' holiday on the Olympic Peninsula, I am still determined to kayak this summer, but I am now yearning to spend some time hiking, biking and kicking around the little towns, either on the peninsula or in the islands. This means bed and breakfasts, doing things a little more spontaneously, and being able to take showers (Eva, don't laugh http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif).

Would you still come out? I'm still planning on mid-July.. There are plenty "must-sees" here- would you be driving to Nevada (this adds to the list of must-sees for eastern Washington and eastern Oregon).

Sorry for not saying anything sooner- it's been rattling around in my mind what I really wanted to do. I've got the "Women in the Wilderness" weekend coming up next week and just decided that was enough hardcore - I want to do something a little more gentle and spontaneous in the SJ's...(with some kayaking thrown in!).

E-mail me directly if you want to plan to meet up!

Cheers,

Julie

[aggie94]

Originally posted by KValley:
I am now yearning to spend some time hiking, biking and kicking around the little towns, either on the peninsula or in the islands. This means bed and breakfasts, doing things a little more spontaneously, and being able to take showers (Eva, don't laugh http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif).


Me, laugh? What's to laugh about? THAT is my idea of a vacation! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif