tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79518778364650451652024-03-13T01:24:47.072-07:00~LongBoatShortBoat~ ExpeditionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-61040169902730720822010-06-02T11:59:00.000-07:002011-11-16T16:24:29.372-08:00ResumeMy name is Daniel, I'm an Expedition Paddler, a certified BCU 3* Sea Kayaker and a 4* Sea Leader Aspirant. I hope to obtain my BCU 5* in multiple disciplines and would like to pursue a career in coaching, at the BCU Level 5. In answer to the obvious question, "Am I really that dedicated?". I am. <br /><br />Two years ago I chose to make a career as a paddler and picked up my first paddle. Since then I've logged over 1500 hours of on-water time, much of it solo, and much of it open-water. I taught myself to roll, have instructed, and been a pool chaperone, and have undertaken numerous multiday solo expeditions. <br /><br />Last summer I spent two months with Ginni Callahan working on her farm and gaining experience helping her on a few courses. During her LoCo Event I undertook, and completed all my certifications and required courses needed to qualify and take my four star assesment with Karl Anderson and John Wallum. <br /><br />I am comfortable paddling both traditional and modern styles, and have built myself two Skin-on-frame kayaks this winter. A slim Baidarka, and a very slim Greenland play-boat.<br /><br />Currently I am paddling my way down the entire coast of Washington from Canada in my Baidarka. As of this letter am waiting out the weather in Queets, about 30 miles south of Kalalloch WA. I chose this expediton as a way of evaluating and building my skills, meeting other paddlers, and making a name for myself in the world of sea-kayaking. I'm not looking for fame and fortune, I'm looking for work, and a way to do the one thing I love most, and that is paddle, professionally.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-79367202663520132122010-06-02T10:39:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.506-08:00Birthright<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9358866&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9358866&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/9358866">BIRTHRIGHT</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1604036">Sean Mullens</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-19786909174937748602010-05-21T13:58:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.508-08:00Little Man<div style="text-align: center;"><em>little man</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>accept</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>conform</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>no.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>mother nature</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>father sea</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>the truth is in the child's eyes</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>drink the earth's nectar</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>your body is soil.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>dream...</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>~d</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-66736193288667287632010-05-21T13:55:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.509-08:00ChowderThe day is fuzzy. Thick like clam-chowder - shades of grey. Two-tone grey gulls pass over a grey fish-plant, siting on grey pilings, in a grey bay, reflecting the grey sky. The breakwater cuts the horizon, smudged and blurred. The only colour in the entire scene is the drizzle of sepia rust on fish-boat hulls. A black crow perches on the edge of a grey dumpster. The blue-water tug 'Crowley' comes home through the mist - Waadah Island a shadow behind it. Miniature wind-waves form on the puddles outside as a sudden gust tears through. The crows turn in unison to the wind, their ruffled feathers flattening, their heads bowed. Even my own mind is thick like clam-chowder... I squint in the brightness of the overcast. The fog floats in, and I stare out the window... nothing to write...<br /><br /><br /><br />~dUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-79646701099392362322010-05-18T15:45:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.512-08:00Nope Not TodayGave it a try today. Weather wasn't good with the incoming front and tomorrow's storm.<br /><br /><br /><br />20 knot winds in my face, three to five foot short period wind waves on top of a three to four foot swell in my face, fog in my face. It all beat me back from the south. Cape Elizabeth would have been inpassable with it's shallows reaching far out. No protected landings for the next twenty or so miles. Not a place to wait out a storm and upcoming 3-4 meter swell for the better part of a week.<br /><br /><br /><br />I got out a mile or so, and then made the call, pretty easy to make actually - no place for me out here today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-3832304962557940252010-05-18T14:52:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.515-08:00Wild Salmon One Government ZeroI'm pretty damned proud of my people today. Let's hope the government got the message this time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf1M-WGvfCg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf1M-WGvfCg</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Vf1M-WGvfCg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Vf1M-WGvfCg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-55696617285898634192010-05-17T14:26:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.518-08:00The Long SandyCrossed the river bar into Queets yesterday, bused into Quinalt to print off weather reports and plan next leg. Tenative plans to land at Grenville Bay and later at Copalis River/Beach. Not many options for protected landings and launches on the next few stretches. Especially worrisome are the stretches from fifteen miles north of Pt.Brown, Grays Harbour to Cape Disapointment. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Tenative stops/emergency pull-outs at inside of Pt.Chehalis, Grays Harbour; Tokeland/Toke Point, Willapa Bay; possibly North Head or Benson Beach, Cape Disappointment. This means I'll be doing really long days along exposed, surf pounded shorelines... if anyone knows of or could recommend more pull-outs it would be appreciated. Options when the brown hits the spinning are always nice to have.<br /><br /><br /><br />Weather - looks like big seas May 20th through the 23rd so I'll most likely stay off the water. May try to get tomorrow on the water and a short day on Wednesday to take advantage of the last of the smaller seas. A series of fronts coming through will make for windy conditions Wednesday and Thursday... after that a calm? I hope so.<br /><br /><br /><br />For the techies here are the sources I'm currently using - A LOT. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/WEB_P/multi_1.latest_run/plots/multi_1.46041.bull">Buncha numbers from a buoy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?wfo=sew&prod=XXXAFDSEW&version=0&print=yes">A buncha blah blah blah from the NOAA Weather guys</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-36991470732722788832010-05-16T14:55:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.521-08:00Wild Life and WildlifeIt was a long paddle from La Push to Queets and a full-filling one as well.<br /><br /><br /><br />Early this morn I found a few left-over glowing embers in someone's abandoned campfire from the previous night while on my morning walk and leg stretch. I re-arranged things, added a few twigs, and soon enough I had a cheery 0600 fire to warm my body and spirit. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I had very pleasant 3-4 foot following seas about half the way, and then on the rear quarter with the wind the rest of the way. A bit of work keeping a heading as there was a tendency to broach but in general it was nice to have the assist. <br /><br /><br /><br />I had my first whale encounter in a kayak, nothing hugely overwhelmingly intimate, no big whale eye looking up at me, or tail raised high in the air. A small whale, a gray I think, lolling about the surface, spouting in front of me a few times, beside me a few times, and then it was gone. I was enjoying a series of rides, alongside an off-shore reef at the time, and this was another smile in a gallery series of today's smiles. Sea-otters, dozens of them over the day's paddle, popping up to watch me, squealing their funny squeal. A porpoise kept me company for a short while. Locals dismiss the Cormorant as a nothing bird but again today they were flying inquisitive circles around me. I like the company. A flock of Brown Pelicans skimmed right bye, feet from me, their wings skimming along the wave crests, almost touching them. I've never noticed how they fold thier wings in a bit to drop down a ahir and open them to lift again. Probably a nothing to most but interesting to me.<br /><br /><br /><br />Destruction Island makes a great bearing point. It seemed a distant mirage, and as I traveled along the coast it slowly revealed itself - quite a ways out - tempting to paddle out to it but no time today unfortunately - places to be.<br /><br /><br /><br />Kalaloch was a surfy mess of brown water and I couldn't spot the river mouth so I passed it by. <br /><br /><br /><br />Queets was a wild surf ride in over the sandbar, and a serious struggle to keep from being sucked/washed back over the sandbar. I picked a beauty of a wave to ride in on, clean, strong and the perfect speed - total fluke but I felt like some kinda bonzo surf-dude riding it in, edging and stern ruddering. Just as it foamed out I felt the lightest tickle of the sand under the skin of my kayak. Nice feeling. Once into the river proper things slowed down a bit, from a five knot current to about a three knot current that I could paddle against and feel like I was able to make comfortable progress. A serene and peaceful place this river - sad that a highway has been built over top of it, and the homes of the friendly First Nations people of Queets Village.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-67132480932593751622010-05-15T11:10:00.000-07:002011-11-16T16:24:29.372-08:00La Push to La PushI paddled out of the Ozette, seal hopped my kayak across the gravel bar at it's mouth and started today's journey to La Push.<br /><br /><br /><br />Cape Alava is beautiful and I'm awestruck by it. The sea is calm and sheltered in a triangle of offshore islands and partially exposed reefs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-42161703490374463062010-05-14T15:46:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.525-08:00Tso'ees to Ozette River<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Decided to head south after all. Lightest of breezes and calm(er) seas made for a challenging but comfortable paddle. Fishermen everywhere, a result of a very short Halibut Fishery. Most of the guys were clustered behind the big offshore reefs, and a bunch were crowded gunnel to gunnel in the Devil's Armpit at Point of Arches. Clapotis was rough in there, and they were being tossed around badly as they hung in there in hopes of getting the big one. I paddled merrily through the middle of them, chuckling a bit under my breath. They must have thought I was even nuttier than they were as I disappeared in the trough of 7' swells and surfed down the backside of 4' clapotis.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div>I found the mouth of the Ozette and came in without incident in the small breaking waves. Great place to land. <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm setup on the backside of the little spit where the river makes an S-bend into the ocean. Pretty spot, out of the wind, the river in front of me the sea behind.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NTrrAOmYmAA/TAmFA70h9_I/AAAAAAAABDQ/QeOVe6FvAtE/s1600/CLA0551_mr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NTrrAOmYmAA/TAmFA70h9_I/AAAAAAAABDQ/QeOVe6FvAtE/s320/CLA0551_mr.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-73129035601133252402010-05-13T16:01:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:19.528-08:00Baby Steps and False StartsMother Nature spread her legs and gave me a show this morning. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a>I'm unapolegetically vulgar here -seeing things that normally live under the sea dangling jiggly and flacid in the air is graphic. I awoke to a -0.7' tide, and was able to walk and boulder-hop my way far out on to the point. I was able to walk through a series of magnifcent caverns, and a maze of tunnels; and explore beautiful, life-filled tide-pools; I was amazed by boulders covered inch-by-square-inch with inch sized sea anenomes, crowded so close together they were cubes. Starfish at waist-level, orange and purple gripping and solid, flacid sun-tars sprawled out on the sand, mussels barnacles and goose-necks crowding the line where the sea is thrown up by the incessant pounding. Quite over-whelming and one hell of an inticement to stay 'just a little longer' ...and back to the opening sentence.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NTrrAOmYmAA/S_XCHjXZu5I/AAAAAAAABCQ/gYrrQToj9mk/s1600/sea_goo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NTrrAOmYmAA/S_XCHjXZu5I/AAAAAAAABCQ/gYrrQToj9mk/s400/sea_goo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Photo credit - Trisha Nettleship</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Paddling out from the Point of Arches, I freak out over my discomfort in the clapotis and head North to Tso'ees River instead of South, muttering in disgust "That's it... I'm going home". I'll admit, I'm having a moment of weakness. By the time I reach Portage Head I'm relaxed and feel much more comfortable, the clapotis off here is fairly severe but I've paddled it before and expected it so it doesn't seem such a big deal anymore. I realize - it's just a state of mind and happily surf into the mouth of the Tso'ees all giggles and grins. A nice long paddle up the river with my canoe paddle 'Makah' and I'm feeling unbelievably fresh and cheery. The ride back down-river is serene and a chance to reflect as I drift lazily with the current. I set up camp on the salt-marshes just inside the river mouth. I'm leaning against a giant buttress of a tree that has washed up here, watching the eagles soar lazily in the evening drafts, happy that I'm not listening to the ocean tonight. It's my quiet, contemplative time tonight and I'm not sharing it with jets taking off, that never stop taking off.... Roooooooaaaarrrrrr... Roooooooaaaarrrrrr... Roooooooaaaarrrrrr...<br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow is a new day and damned if I haven't still had 'it' all along... I just forgot where to look.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-34909534843461195392010-05-12T11:42:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.758-08:00Paddler's RetreatFriday, May 28, 2010 at 10:00am <br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />End Time: Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 3:00pm <br /><br /><br /><br />Location: Cape Flattery & Neah Bay WA <br /><br /><br /><br />It's a random gathering of kayakers of all disciplines and skill levels. :O)<br /><br /><br /><br />Day paddlers; Rollers; Rock-hoppers; Surfers; Lily-dippers; and of course Friends of , Fans of, and Family of, are all welcome.<br /><br /><br /><br />Lots of places to camp beach-side, and hotels and motels ranging from budget to deluxe. Email longboatshortboat(dot)yahoo(dot)ca for a list or with questions. No registration necessary, but advance booking of accommodation highly recommended.<br /><br /><br /><br />Good paddling is easily accessible in a 270 degree range from here... the protected beaches of Neah Bay ...the wild rocks of the Cape ...surf at Hobuck Beach ...family and novice friendly paddles up the Wa'atch and Tso'ees Rivers ...inner-coastal trips from to Sekiu and Pysht River... Surf and Coastal runs south to Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches with lots of rock-hopping options amongst incredible formations.<br /><br /><br /><br />Admission by donation, in support of the LBSB expediton fund.<br /><br /><br /><br />Hope you can join us!<br /><br /><br /><br />~daniel~Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-24015900173830221422010-05-12T11:38:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.760-08:00Time to Get Back on the WaterWeather has been excellent, forecasts look good with a high-pressure systen pushing in from the the SE, surf has recided a bit. Time to get paddling. May be awhile before I post again as towns and computers will be few and far between on this next stretch. Hope to launch the am of Thursday May 13th.<br /><br /><br /><br />Whoosh... I've butterflies...<br /><br />~daniel~Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-28650730091847016392010-05-10T14:31:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.764-08:00Test Paddle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had the opportunity to paddle Setsuko's Waterfield Kayaks Qaanaaq 512 SS "Azuki De Cheata".</div><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hymJsIipI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/weLenWhU3NA/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hymJsIipI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/weLenWhU3NA/s640/01.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hymbyoHgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/onzo-6QwF7I/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hymbyoHgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/onzo-6QwF7I/s320/02.jpg" tt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hym7o_zJI/AAAAAAAAAoY/kALcfiuma_g/s1600/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hym7o_zJI/AAAAAAAAAoY/kALcfiuma_g/s320/03.jpg" tt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hyneAEItI/AAAAAAAAAoc/sTKVIgCKe-w/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hyneAEItI/AAAAAAAAAoc/sTKVIgCKe-w/s320/04.jpg" tt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hyn1w5gSI/AAAAAAAAAog/-Wk2zdDZOJg/s1600/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NJ0Jzy-uN6Y/S-hyn1w5gSI/AAAAAAAAAog/-Wk2zdDZOJg/s320/05.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-75763713869691872912010-05-02T21:23:00.000-07:002011-11-16T16:24:29.377-08:00Being Human.Odd that a creature like us is so vulnerable. No hard shell, no super-strength, no venomous bite, no camoflauge... nothing... nature has put the amazing capacity to dream into the most fragile of vessels.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-28590713592312021192010-05-02T19:35:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.766-08:00A man with a damn good reason to paddle.Duane Strosaker is a paddler with a reason to paddle these days - I'd like to publicly throw my support behind him and encourage everyone to get involved in the issues... <br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://socaloilrigaware.blogspot.com/">SoCal Offshore Oil Rig Aware</a><br /><br /><a name='more'></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_whxrvn8MIZo/S94v9pvucyI/AAAAAAAAADM/_9mtNBjDqXE/s1600/oilrig8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_whxrvn8MIZo/S94v9pvucyI/AAAAAAAAADM/_9mtNBjDqXE/s320/oilrig8.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>5,000</strong> barrels a day... at the moment...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-55737874430367396082010-04-29T15:48:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.769-08:00What's That Smell?Ahhh... the refreshing smell of... errr... <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mr. Sea Lion - deceased - decided to pay me a visit in the night. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a>What's left of him has moved with the recent very high tides, and he's now finishing his natural processes on my door-step. Good news is that I'm getting incredible views of the Eagles and Ravens flying about my camp all day. The bad news is foul. I guess the good news is fowl.<br /><br /><br /><br />More good news is that I'm on my way into Seattle for a few days R&R and a test paddle of Setsuko's shiny new Qaanaaq 512 SS "Azuki De Cheata". I'm really excited about it. Hope I can find my favourite sneakers there as well as mine have disintegrated beyond use. I'll happily give them a plug as they're the best $100 trail shoes I've ever owned - Inov8 Flyroc 310's. They still have a looong way to go to come anywhere near my Viberg hikers. Leather and kayaks don't play well together unfortunately.<br /><br /><br /><br />Had a wonderful day yesterday - spent the whole day goofing around in Persephone. We went rolling, and surfing, and bongo-sliding, and I even managed to sneak around the Point to the place I've taken to calling 'The Devil's Armpit' for some rock-gardening and clapotis play. The seas were relatively subdued. Big thank-you to Poseidon - I really needed this day and it was gifted to me.<br /><br /><br /><br />...and I spent a good portion of time just floating there in balance braces looking up at the sky. Peaceful...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-55399771370736459952010-04-28T16:35:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.771-08:00Coming Around.I'm feeling like it's all falling back into place again. Getting the need to be paddling boiling up in my blood. Weather is showing signs of change. I test paddle a friend's kayak for giggles and kicks and then I watch for my chance. This week I spend playing in the water and getting a good roll-on. I've been thinking... of a long dreamy balance-brace all day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-20849846184607660642010-04-26T16:23:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.773-08:00A Typical Day.Funny, I haven't really thought much about posting, or even writing down the typical off-water day, or around camp activities before. They seem like such quiet moments to me.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Submitted for your perusal...</em><br /><br /><br /><br />This morning I awake pre-dawn, as has become my custom, slide out from under the tarp and take a look at the world through bleary eyes. Sometimes I imagine how it must look to the ravens or who-ever else is watching. The lumpy brown blob, starts to shake, and bulge, and slowly a tubulous black blob starts extruding out the end, foot by foot by foot. Like watching a cow giving birth... or something equally discombobulating...<br /><br /><br /><br />Bleary eyes - unstuck but still fuzzy - the sea still crashes but it's quieter now with the distance low tide puts between us. It's cool and misty feeling like... yep... there it is... rain.<br /><br /><br /><br />So I worm my way back under the tarp feet first, snuggle up next to Persephone, reach out and pull a sea-sock full of deck gear back in to block the entrance, and snake an arm out to deftly flip a piece of driftwood onto the tarp from the outside. Deftly? Maybe not, as a few times I've overshot and caught the weight of it on my noggin. <br /><br /><br /><br />Sun is up now, has been for a few hours, or so my warmed toes tell me. I lazily roll onto my side, getting a wet lick of the tarp's slippery tongue as I brush it with my face. I pull off my mitts and open up the entrance for some fresh air - cool crisp and clean... ahhhhhh... I roll the rest of the way onto my belly to come nose-to-tail with a big green banana slug. I lay still and watch him hesitantly chose his path, an eye stalk pushes out and touches ever so gently an angle of a fern leaflet, he slowly twists and lifts his body across the void, arching a full half of it out before lowering it slowly to the next. Amazingly he seems to know just how much pressure to put at any point of contact and the fernlet barely surrenders a fraction of the fraction of an inch to the ground below. Such luxury to be able to watch a slug travel - three feet he travels while I watch, slowly, deliberately, and gracefully. A few times he turns towards the taut skin of Peresephone but a tap of my finger to the skin sends a little vibration his way, his eye-stalk pulls in, he turns away again. The grove of coltsfoot I'm camped in looms over me like a tropical canopy. What a unique perspective I think to myself.<br /><br /><br /><br />Time for a morning walk to get my blood flowing. South to the Point of Arches, a quick look to see the daily state of Mr.Sea Lion - deceased. He's rapidly diminishing in stature, now a half-buried furry object, last week he was quite approachable, the week before I was lifting his flippers to feel the soft wrinkled leather, touching his fur, and looking at his little toe-nails, wiggling his stiff fish-bone whiskers . Now his skin presents little barrier, and his odour... slipping rapidly to carrion for the crows and eagles, and my shy friend the coyote who quietly visits my camp in the night. I've only seen him once but he's around, his footprints give him away, always alone, always in the dim light. I was awakened one night by him on my body... or was it just the dreams thrust upon me by a full pack of cookies devoured in the darkness? I really don't know... it was so odd... and I couldn't wake myself fast enough...<br /><br /><br /><br />A quick stop on the return trip to pick up my billy - it's sticky with black tar from the odd white wood I tried last night. Strangest stuff. I continue my walk North to the little stream to fetch water, I lower the billy down into a little well in the stones, and scoop it up full. Porridge with raisins this morning, chased back with clear hot tea, and tortillas quartered and toasted over my little wood-stove. I feel a bit spendy today and gob a big blob of Peanut Butter on each one before folding it, and savouring it's crispy warm oozy goodness.<br /><br /><br /><br />Coming out of the forest I stop behind a tree as I see movement nearby on the beach - a river otter. I'd like to say it trotted out but they don't really trot do they? Odd movement, like an inch-worm, a big furry brown inch worm, that swims... and eats fish... ahhh for lack of the proper word... <br /><br /><br /><br />So it 'trotted' towards the surf, stopping a few times and looking about, and up, nervously. Eagles? Little otter throws itself forward like a child launching a sled, and slips along it's belly in the foamy residue of the receding froth - repeatedly, with legs kicking it along. I watch it cruise along the waves, looking for... the rip! Little otter knows about rips! It paddles along then starts out at an angle, tiny in comparison to the three foot waves cresting over it but it loses no ground, and not once did I see it lifted up by the wave and tossed, though I expected it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Odd how much the surf changes day to day. Yesterday it was an intense frothy mess, today it's clean and mellow-er. Yesterday huge crests waaaay out there and crest after crest after crest all the way in. Today a single three foot wave cresting at the beach. They're bigger in the middle of the bay but still quite paddleable. I've decide to wait though, at least until I tye up some loose ends. I want to share this place with others.<br /><br /><br /><br />It's a long walk the length of the beach to the trail-head - pleasant though.The sand is packed enough... and fine enough that my steps don't sink as I walk. I love walking but trudging is too much like work. <br /><br /><br /><br />Interesting beachcombing here. Found a glass Japanese fishing float the day I landed. The majority of the beaches tidal washings are plastic water bottles, styrofoam crab floats, and plastic plastic plastic... Yesterday I found a little tub of hand cream - Japanese I think, a glass bottle from China or Hong Kong, a stainless thermos bottle, a sandal with a crop of very healthy gooseneck barnacles living on it, and a piece of plywood to cover my fire-pit and stove - to keep my little woodpile dry.<br /><br /><br /><br />There is freshwater here in April - little rivulets of groundwater coming off the bluffs, and a larger stream that burbles. Burbles - I've always liked the sound of that word. Burrrrr-bles. Each little rivulet presents a different face to the sand encrusted sea. One has a toothy grin, piles of logs, loosely stacked helter skelter - another a rusty rail, and an little dam of logs neatly stacked - mounds of perfectly round rocks reveal another - a collection of riddled and perforated stones, some with burrowing clam shells still tucked inside litter the mouth of this one - just back there a rocky outcropping hides a hidden little set of falls, mossy, and ferns and wild ginger cling to the cool moistness. The water always runs to the sea, but sometimes it vanishes into the sand.<br /><br /><br /><br />At my end of the beach it's rare to see footprints - on a weekend a set or two heading purposefully to the point, but that's about it. Here by the trail-head there are tracks everywhere, the toe-heavy dents of heavy loads, scufflers leaving a swoosh splat swoosh splat with each step, over there a little dog, and he had a good roll in the pile of seaweed as well. Only once have I seen a barefoot print, and upon seeing it I took my own shoes off and left a set to keep it company.<br /><br /><br /><br />The trail out is three miles, maybe four, maybe two, depends who you ask. I love this hike, even the oozy goosh of the humic mud that sucks at my feet as I walk. Salmonberry shoots are ready for the picking and I do pick them, peeling them and relishing their moist, crisp acidity.<br /><br /><br /><br />A raven is croaking his call over my head as I lean here against a giant of a moss-covered wind-fall. Sun is getting low as I see the colour of the light changing. Off I go!<br /><br /><br /><br />Walking the trail I'm looking at things differently. Is that some kind of mustard with the white flowers? The ferns are unfurling - Asplenums a tight little top-knot - Swords crazily twisted and twirled. A yellow flowered Geum there. Huckleberries and blueberries, their little flower buds shaped exactly as their berries will be, blushed red from the spring sun. Azaleas, small ruddy little buds preparing to open - red? or possibly purple? A Rufus Hummingbird dances overhead, a rat-a-tat-tat of a pip as he dives and climbs. Must be the pink Salmon-berries he's laying his claim on. Bees, the first bees are about, so glad as the wild strawberries have been flowering for weeks, their blossoms withering and dropping for lack of a drop of pollen.<br /><br /><br /><br />I reach the parking lot, and the road...<br /><br /><br /><br />Today I'm starting towards Neah Bay, I make it a two day journey, sleeping under a spruce, or nestled in salaal amongst the rocky outcrops high above the sea, or tucked discreetly down behind a log. I always sleep well, covered in a thin rain poncho that serves as my shelter, as I always eat well. Another day I'll take the time to write it down for you... <br /><br /><br /><br />~dUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-68323734599634668282010-04-26T14:33:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.778-08:00A Quote."The sea, like any expanse of nature, is a great teacher of humility. It strips away the nonessentials: the ego, the place in society we fill, and the clutter of busy lives. Swells stirred to life by mid-ocean storms radiate outward, losing little of their power until they steepen in shallow waters or crash with relentless hammerings against cliffs rising straight from the depths. At times it seems that the oceans, with their ruthless power of destruction, would be better left alone. They care nothing for human fear, misjudgement, fatigue, and whatever strength or fragility the human visitor brings to their shores. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Wind, waves, cold water, and the exposure of miles of endless cliff can bare the soul as any desert experience might. All the insecurities of society --- the stress of success or fear of failure ---suddenly seem inconsequential. What is left is the stripped-down reality of purposeful, passionate living in an environment that tolerates nothing less. It is a great and continual cleansing, at first shockingly cold; but like the initial plunge into a mountain stream, it refreshes and wakes the body and mind to new life." <br /><br /><br /><br />A quote of Chris Duff, shared to me by my friend Kathy. Thank-you, ~dUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-75763093997997281262010-04-23T11:23:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.783-08:00~simple~Simply feel it, breathe it, smell it, see it, touch it... allow yourself to be awed and overwhelmed by it without asking why.<span style="background-color: black;"> </span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #cccccc;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>...about me.</strong> <br /><br /><br /><br /><em>I grew up with my fingers in both the soil and sea, lifting boards in the backyard looking for beetles and worms, lifting logs in the forest looking for salamanders and centipedes, lifting rocks on the seashore looking for crabs and blennies. I spent 25 years of my life working the soil, growing beautiful things, growing my food, growing soil. I lived as a simple hermit, in peace, and solitude - I walked the empty rural roads and city streets in the wee hours of the morning when all the world was asleep. My body my transport. Peaceful - the frogs, crickets and owls my companions. Now I paddle - my body my transport. Seems logical to me to spend the next period of my life with the sea. Possibly someday I'll be able to fly under my own power and experience the sky as well. </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Soil, Sea, Sky, Food, Water, Shelter ...and Dreams. </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>I found myself asking why? Why? WHY? I found clarity of vision in a true friends words to me in a particularily rough spell...</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"So I will peacefully rake and NOT waste time trying to find answers to insane WHY? questions but breathe the day in in all its beauty. And be grateful for what I can hold onto lightly & lovingly."</span> </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>I have changed... I no longer argue with what is presented to me - I hold it as a thought, and savour it like quickly melting ice-cream. Accept it or not - it doesn't really matter. It is what it is, and I am what I am, as you are what you are, as the world around us is what it is. The past is heldfast, the future is a dream, and today is the moment of opportunity. It's all quite simple, enjoy it before it melts away. </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>The honest and simple truth is that I want it all, I want it with my eyes wide open, and I continue to want the incredible clarity of vison that comes with giving in to all the forces acting upon me in any given moment - on the water - in the forest - on the beach - or walking down the road. </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>I want to live each moment anew, for the rest of of my life. I'm going to feast on these luscious moments - and make a simple life doing so. </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Nothing is chasing me, I have nothing to run from, there is no skeleton in my closet waiting to reach out and thump me with a femur when I least expect it. I'm a simple man, with a simple plan, who finds his happiness living a simple life, searching for simple pleasures. I don't ask the question why much anymore.</em> <br /><br /><br /><br />...and I'm very fond of double scoops of strawberry in a waffle cone. <br /><br />~daniel~ <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NTrrAOmYmAA/S9HlW-MM17I/AAAAAAAAA_4/07mCJhgap48/s1600/strawberry_waffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NTrrAOmYmAA/S9HlW-MM17I/AAAAAAAAA_4/07mCJhgap48/s640/strawberry_waffle.jpg" tt="true" width="480" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-341255489144248232010-04-21T16:25:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.786-08:00Quick updates on where I've beenMore to follow and I'll add to it as I can.<br /><br /><br /><br />I left Makah Bay and paddled the day to Shi Shi Beach on April 15th. I left Shi Shi Beach April 19th and landed at Ozette River that same night.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-21425508480155219122010-04-13T16:38:00.000-07:002010-11-20T17:31:43.789-08:00Ready to GoPicked up my charts, have my cases, and the water is calm. Looks like I'm off! I imagine it'll be hard to find internet access for the next while so I'll update when I can. Next stop the mighty Columbia River.<br /><br /><br /><br />Take care all!<br /><br />~dUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-37111731685854351392010-04-12T16:14:00.000-07:002011-11-16T16:24:29.385-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The LongBoat ShortBoat Expedition</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">...life with ~daniel~</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951877836465045165.post-89333501894841452432010-04-12T16:13:00.000-07:002011-11-16T16:24:29.391-08:00<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The LongBoat ShortBoat Expedition</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0