Blog Archives

Sand Island

Posted by Ken Campbell October 29, 2011 0 Comment 2988 views

It is the nature of islands near the mouths of major rivers to change locations, to appear and disappear – both in reality and in written record – to shimmy and dance with the currents that are continually creating and destroying them. When an island actually goes by the name of “Sand,” the effect becomes […]

Meditation

Posted by Ken Campbell October 28, 2011 1 Comment 1120 views

“Walking in wilderness becomes a meditation.” That’s a quote from Terry Tempest Williams, in her book An Unspoken Hunger, and although she’s referring to hiking in a desert environment, the same could be said for sea kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. Or paddleboarding, for that matter. Repetitive actions, in tune with the wider surroundings. Solitary, […]

One particular harbor

Posted by Ken Campbell October 27, 2011 0 Comment 1185 views

I used to rule my world from a pay phone Ships out on the sea But now times are rough I got too much stuff I can’t explain the likes of me. But there’s this one particular harbor So far but yet so near Where I see the days as they fade away And finally […]

Tech talk

Posted by Ken Campbell October 26, 2011 0 Comment 1070 views

I remember when my father brought home his first calculator. It was a largish brown and black box that fit uncomfortably in one hand, and it was capable of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. That was it, no more, no less. The little red numbers glowed knowingly from the black display and I couldn’t believe […]

Island fever

Posted by Ken Campbell October 21, 2011 3 Comments 1239 views

I have been thinking about islands. There are some islands that appeal to me because of their remote nature. All islands stand apart, but some stand further than others. Destruction Island is an example, an island that is regularly pounded by the full fury of Pacific storms, is home to a thriving population of sea […]

Firewood on the hoof

Posted by Ken Campbell October 19, 2011 0 Comment 1186 views

There’s something about living on salt water that brings out the opportunistic in anyone. When a chunky log goes floating by, especially a fir log that, when dried and split, will fuel the wood stove for a month, it seems obvious what needs to be done. Pull on the Nomads, grab the paddle and the […]

Obvious questions

Posted by Ken Campbell October 17, 2011 0 Comment 1263 views

In the early 1970’s, British sailor Tristan Jones undertook a 3-year trip around the world, and then some. He left the US, sailed east across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, down the Red Sea and around the Horn of Africa and along the east coast of the African continent down to what was then apartheid […]

Things that go BOOM

Posted by Ken Campbell October 16, 2011 0 Comment 1235 views

The Elwha dam removal projects are proceeding apace and will continue to progress until November 1st, when crews will give the demolition a break to allow for fish spawning activities. For now, however, changes come daily, with lake levels dropping and the huge, concrete river plugs disappearing into dust and gravel. There’s a pretty cool […]

A Review of the Nomad

Posted by Ken Campbell October 15, 2011 0 Comment 1687 views

I just got back from my morning paddle. Up to the point and back, going with the current on the way there and bucking it (on purpose), on the return. I was out there for about an hour, with a white platter moon hanging over my shoulder and water calm as polished glass sliding under […]

Mowich Lake link

Posted by Ken Campbell October 14, 2011 0 Comment 1131 views

I recently did reviews of all four campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park for another web site. (That was a great assignment, I might add). There was a time, not all that terribly long ago, when there were six drive-in campgrounds inside the park instead of just four. Ipsut Creek is still there, but it’s […]