From the archives: Kayak Around Mercer Island Washington part 1 of 2!

Greetings adventurers of the world!  Yesterday I circumnavigated (went around) Mercer Island via kayak.  The total trip took about 6 hours, the actual paddling took only about 4.5 hours.  The total distance of my route was about 15 miles.  This was my longest kayak trip yet, and even though we call this outfit Everyone's Travel Club, this trip might not be for everyone on account of the distance.  I'll be posting this trip over a few posts, check back to the blog for more tomorrow and throughout the week!

I walked down to Andrews Bay, my usual launch spot, with everything I needed for the trip in my inflatable Innova kayak backpack.  I spent about 10 minutes putting her together.  I tend to attract attention during this part of the trip - I met Rico from La Push.  We talked about the whale migration going on now around the coast and Sound and about his time living and surfing in Hawaii.  I also met a German family spending time in Seattle for a couple of years.  They were very interested in the possibility of kayaks that they could buy here, use here, and eventually take home when they return.  Then I shoved off.

There she is - Mercer Island...

Seward Park behind me as I paddle North towards I-90.

Underneath the I-90 floating bridge...yep, the middle of the bridge floats...

 Regatta at Leschi, not windy at all...

We're almost half-way around the island, check back for more posts this week!  We'll explore a cool park on the Island, each lunch with the local wildlife, and find out how the islanders are livin'!
Later, 
-Paul   E.T.C.

Link to Part 2 of 2!