A Beautiful Evening at Boston Harbor

Some of the Olympics with Squaxin Island and Passage in the foreground

The Island Viking Push Tug maneuvering a gravel barge into Dana Passage

The F/V Harvestor, which threw a great wake, on its way from Olympia to Deception
Pass and Samish Bay (I really need a better waterproof camera)

Built in 1939 (the same year as my house!), the Harvestor, thennamed the "Harbor Bull", is purportedly one of two remainingactive vessels that was present during the bombing of Pear Harbor

Ideal Days

We're having some ideal weather - clear, calm, and in the mid-60's F, which is making for a really good great time out on the water. Tonight's sunset was for 8:14 PM. This is a great time to make time to get out on the Sound in the Pacific Northwest.

I also want to mention that there is a new and interesting talk radio program on KIRO radio (97.3FM) on Sundays at 8AM that is dedicated to maritime culture. Last week, I learned that the Bermuda Triangle may really be a series of underwater volcanoes that spew nitrogen, which does not allow a boat to remain buoyant and instead causes it to sink. 

You can also find it on-demand at http://kiroradio.com/shows/onthewater/

The Paul Bunyan is back again. That's a lot of lumber... 

...for this tug

Paul Bunyan in the South Sound

It definitely feels warmer when the sun comes out these days. With the the smell of salt air stirred from a light northerly breeze and sunscreen, I was quickly reminded of summer. It won't be long...

The Paul Bunyan with log broncs (mini tugs) maneuvering logs into place;
I can't believe there are still folks that walk on logs out on the boom

The Paul Bunyan, towed by a tug, was the first maritime vessel I encountered while stand up 

paddling in the Sound, and its wake near Boston Harbor dumped me in the water

Looking north with the sandy cliffs of Gull Harbor and Burfoot Park in the distance on the right

Something to Look Forward To...

I squeezed in a paddle today before the rains return for the remainder of the week. Fortunately, by this time of year they're weaker storm systems with a lot less precipitation. Rounding the log boom I spotted so many seals hauled out that I just couldn't count them all. It made me think that if you had told a ten year old me, or even 20 year old me, that I'd live and play somewhere where I'd literally be able to see harbor seals every single day I doubt I'd have believed you. I'm really happy that I do.

I was also excited to realize that in another month or so it'll be time for some fun night paddles and bioluminescence viewing! Here is a previous post on bioluminescence called Northwest Fireflies.

Looking south at the north end of the the log boom

Moon jellies

Looking toward the port - you can see the STX Gloria in the far distance,
 on its first visit to Olympia, getting loaded with lumber destined for China

Fundamentals of Peak Performance: Base Training and LSD

No, it's probably not what you're thinking, unless you're familiar with endurance training and periodization. LSD stands for Long Slow Distance. It represents the foundation upon which you'll build the rest of your training. Remember the home construction analogy? With Base training, you're pouring concrete and building the framework. Along with your aerobic fitness, it prepares your musculature, tendons, and joints for the work yet to come. Without it, your house could collapse in on itself.

Only, instead of Long Slow Distance, may I suggest  thinking in terms of Long Steady Distance. With paddling, this mindset will help you build base fitness without 'dawdling' too much. I was thinking early today about how paddling can be compared to the spectrum that ranges from walking to running. You can stroll along the waterfront or you can run along the beach. By thinking in terms of Long Steady Distance, you remove the slow stroll and focus instead on consistent, but moderated, effort. 

I'd also suggest this is a great time to work on your technique. Focus on different aspects of your stroke, and then break the details of each of those into their own details. Take the time during your workouts to really concentrate on your paddling technique. After a few thousand repetitions, the conscious will become unconscious. Force yourself to maintain quality paddling all the time and try to avoid getting sloppy just because it's easy and you're tired. Paddle with quality now and it'll be automatic when you start to apply intensity and build strength, power, and muscular endurance.

Before Sunrise

A beautiful early morning before sunrise, heading towards 
the channel markers and Priest Point 

The lights of the port, already at work

The US Corp of Engineers M/V Puget (built in 1944 for the Navy), a debris recovery vessel that travels from Olympia to Bellingham. It functions to "remove wrecks and obstructions" under congressional authority of the River and Harbor Act of 1899. 

Dawn(ish) Patrol - It's Still An Active Port

An early paddle today, not quite at dawn, but the sun is rising earlier every morning. Tomorrow it'll be up at 6:44AM. It's also tough to be on the water before those Juniors. Today I did a short paddle over to check out the Ocean Hope, which was being loaded with Weyerhauser logs destined for Hiro, Japan. It's also interesting to note the recent stir surrounding the Port's receipt of ceramic proppants that's being generated in Olympia. You read about it here first, then came an article in The Olympian by Rolf Boone, and now...

The Ocean Hope loading cargo

I hope to never have this view in real life

Next to the hold, the sound of logs being lowered into the hold was thunderous

Barkin' Dogs

If I'm lucky, my dog will do this someday

While paddling the other day, shifting my feet around, I remembered a time when standing while paddling used to really hurt my feet. Not so much during, but afterwards. Plantar fasciitis. It, and other foot pain, happen to a fair number of stand up paddlers, especially when they ambitiously spend a lot of time on their boards. But I've learned that with self-care, both on and off the board, it's something that isn't too difficult to overcome.

On the board: I try to keep my feet in motion. I'm not running up and down the board or anything, but my feet are never in a static position. I suggest variations of a surfer stance, moving from parallel feet to a staggered position of varying degrees. I also recommend occasionally lifting and wiggling your toes, then lifting and lowering your heels. And try some deep knee bends too, similar to chair to pose in yoga.

Off the board: I've learned to do at least a little light stretching right after a paddle. Stretch your calves - an angled dock at any degree lower than high tide with your heels facing down slope is a great stretch. Otherwise I'll stretch against a wall, or my car. At home, I'll follow up with more calf stretching, as well as foot massage by rolling them on a tennis ball or a specifically designed massage ball. Attention to my calves and feet has made all the difference.

For me it worked. I have a repertoire of stretches that I do, most are yoga based. If you are having foot pain and stand up paddling is contributing to it, chances are decent that some self-care will help your problem. But I'm not your podiatrist, physical or massage therapist, or yoga instructor; so get it checked out to make sure. Then do the self-care exercises they prescribe.

Cloudy and warm, I narrowly missed some showers yesterday

Rowers Get the Right-of-Way at the Swantown Dock

If you enjoy using the gray float attached to the breakwater dock at Swantown Marina, you may have noticed some increased activity as of late. The Master rowers are back and in the water at 5:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Juniors are rowing five days a week, and that means that they're out there at 6:30 AM and from roughly 3 to 4:30 or 5:30 PM. That's a lot of shells going in and out of the water. It's their dock, so we need to give them the right-of-way when it comes to its use. It's really nice to be able launch from a lower platform and rinse your board once your done, but if we don't respect the rowers right to their dock, we may not be able to use it at all. So give way when they're there, please be polite, and coil the hose when you're done. Thanks.

P.S. Another beautiful day in Olympia...

Sand bar exposed at low tide

How is this deadhead, halfway between Priest Pt and the log boom,
still here? Soon it'll have to be marked on nautical charts!

Gull Island?

Playing Catch-Up

Alright, so I've received emails asking for a little more consistency with my postings. Thanks to my new friends in Canada and Germany for the extra push. I'll do my best to get back on track...

We've had some really pleasant paddling weather - sunbreaks, warm temps, and light winds. So here are a few photos of the beauty of Budd Bay from some paddles over the past couple of weeks while I work on some more posts.

A few weeks ago - Priest Point Park, the Olympics, and High Tide

Shore birds nestled on the log boom

A little cloudier, but still great weather

Barefeet are back!

Yesterday's Paddle - Sunshine, 70 degree F temps -
Low tide with a view of the exposed sand bar off of PPP

The Olympics!

I was lucky enough to run into a friend in the middle of

Budd Bay! Lori in front of the tug, Swinomish, after a

fresh delivery of logs. We first paddled together in 2009?!