Blog Archives

Flattened

Posted by Ken Campbell July 4, 2011 0 Comment 1206 views

I left Aberdeen yesterday afternoon, into a stiff wind and complicated Gray’s Harbor currents. Six hours later, I’d made it 8 miles. I crashed into the muddy shore of Goose Island, about three miles from the tip of Ocean Shores, and I felt fortunate to have made it that far. Good camp (although I’m not […]

Farewell canoe, hello SUP

Posted by Ken Campbell July 2, 2011 0 Comment 1074 views

Stayed in Aberdeen last night, in a motel that advertises itself as “Aberdeen’s Finest.” Which must be a bit like being the tallest leprechaun, I suppose, although the shower was good and it gave me a place to get gear ready for the next phase of the trip. The swamp got the best of me, […]

Streams

Posted by Ken Campbell June 29, 2011 1 Comment 1183 views

Another atypical expedition day… but mostly what I expected. Connecting Capital Lake and Black Lake is critical for making the claim that the Olympic Peninsula is an island, but getting from one to the other involves more walking than actual water travel. Percival Creek tumbles into Capital Lake on the west side through a heavily […]

Salmon Beach – Olympia

Posted by Ken Campbell June 28, 2011 0 Comment 1244 views

The first day of the Olympic Grand Circle is in the books. It took about 8 hours for me and Adam to get to Olympia from Salmon Beach, with a lunch stop on Eagle Island. It rained off and on the whole time, but the wind never really was a factor. Which was nice. I’m […]

Just another Monday morning

Posted by Ken Campbell June 27, 2011 0 Comment 963 views

I should have slept in. I’m probably going to need my energy later. It’s raining, of course, but it’s an otherwise perfect day for a paddle. Warm enough, for here, but falling somewhat short of summer. I’m leaving later this morning from Salmon Beach for the 25-mile stretch to Olympia, a lone sea kayaking day […]

I want my day back

Posted by Ken Campbell June 26, 2011 0 Comment 1308 views

“The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” W. B. Yeats “If you love life,” said Ben Franklin, “don’t waste time, for hours are the stuff that life is made of.” I don’t know for sure if it was Mr. Franklin… it might have been Bruce Lee. Either way, it […]

Here be leeches

Posted by Ken Campbell June 25, 2011 1 Comment 1046 views

I just spent the last hour scanning the aerial photos and the topographical maps for the Black Lake and Black River area. I think getting through the swamp that connects the two will be a critical leg in the journey: good progress through here and I’ll be set up for success later on; slow going […]

A Burger at Longmire

Posted by Ken Campbell June 24, 2011 0 Comment 1151 views

Canned music decomposes in the background Ambient mush, only mildly offensive I am here for a burger, with cheese, and maybe bacon Fries too, the whole deal I went on a hike this morning and I feel like I’ve earned it Unfortunately, it is too much to ask, too much to expect A good burger, […]

Blow

Posted by Ken Campbell June 23, 2011 0 Comment 1147 views

It isn’t always calm out there. It was windy this morning. Enough so that I didn’t go out for a morning paddle. The tall trees up the hill were slashing about in the gray morning sky, and the wind rushing through their branches sounded like freight trains. The water in the Narrows was flecked with […]

An unpaid (regrettably) endorsement

Posted by Ken Campbell June 22, 2011 0 Comment 1076 views

I’m starting some of the packing today, getting it all together. I’m using Ortlieb dry bags throughout the trip, and that is not a coincidence. They last longer, look nicer, keep stuff dry better, than any other dry bag I’ve ever used. They cost more, but that’s only because they’re worth more. Some of the […]