Sea Kayak - Tacoma Narrows

SIGHTED: SEAL, EAGLE, COROMORANT, GREAT BLUE HERON, BROWN HEADED MERGANSER, LOON

SUNRISE/SET: 0744/1701  All paddlers arrived on time for our 1000 huddle and we launched into quiet water at 1015.  We headed straight west until a little past mid channel, then turned right and went rapidly north.  We got a little split as we approached the opening of Gig Harbor with me along the shore solo.  That was a mistake as I was looking for a back eddy against the approx 2 knot current along the shore and couldn’t get one deep enough to paddle in.  Next time I will stay in the middle where the others reported little resistance.  A power boat arrived just as we did at the dock of The Tides Restaurant at 1145 announcing that they had seen orcas outside the harbor.  Some of us took advantage of the warm and covered mud porch of the restaurant to shed our drysuits and get on some dry shoes before we marched in.  Two local friends, Ann and Greg had reserved several tables put together to form one long one for all of us.  After yet another tasty hot meal I passed around the bucket of birthday cookies—there were four of us Dec/Jan babies on this one—and soon we were back out on the porch and on the dock getting back into our drysuits and boats after saying goodbye to Ann and Greg.  We shoved off at 1315 to find there was still little or no wind waiting for us in the channel.  Some people wanted to go see the Salmon Beach houses and the others agreed so we took a bearing before starting the easy crossing.  We did have a chance to talk to a couple of residents before we reached the end of the settlement and then headed back out towards mid channel again, all with the current with us.  I definitely heard a chuff as we were close to the north side of the bridge but never did see what caused it in spite of the calm surface.  We did see some blue sky with only a slight SW breeze that fanned me briefly as I cleared the peninsula lee but it didn’t last.  We made rapid progress riding the current just past the pilings before turning left and arrived at 1515 at Titlow with the water level slightly above where we left it.  Very good teamwork was applied and all the boats were speedily brought back up to the staging area. Once all were changed we had a post trip huddle where no complaints were made and thanks exchanged.  Terry, Bruce and I were the only ones who opted to go to Steamer’s for beer (them) and ice cream (me!) A really pleasant paddle on what turned out to be an unexpectedly nice—and rainless!-- day.  All paddlers performed well with excellent group dynamics.