Summer SUP Adventures

This summer was full of many Stand Up Paddle (SUP) adventures for Eric and me around the Sound, especially since we had amazing weather and I have a lot more time since I no longer bike race.   I'm posting a few pictures here, but many of our adventrues are posted in Eric's new SUP blog (see the link in our blog links list).  Eric also started teaching SUP to folks in the local area. 

We had many sunset paddles - usually after work.

We got lucky one evening and were able to ride some great wind waves by Priest Point Park.

My longest paddle was around Squaxin Island from Boston Harbor: 15 miles and approximately 4 hours of paddling.

Bull kelp forest near the southern end of Squaxin Island where the current gets moving.

One of our favorite paddles is a 1-hr round trip from Swantown north to a boat called "Tarry Not".

Here I am learning to turn my board quickly by getting way back on it.

Eric's family, Mom (Vickie) and I went in a board for him for an early 40th birthday present.  He got the Laird - Bark 14 ft board.  He loves it!

Just some of the amazing widlife we see...

 Some low tide treats...

Right after jumping off my board into the sound.  In the summer Budd Inlet gets pretty warm.

August had a blue moon, so we did a night paddle to commemorate it.

Olympia Traverse

In mid-July, we participated in a multisport event in Olympia called the Olympia Traverse to raise money for "Friends of Mia", an organization that supports families dealing with childhood cancer. This year we had 19 participants on 4 teams, many of whom work with me at the Department of Ecology.  Eric did the paddle leg on one of the teams and I took pictures and gave logistical support.  I couldn't compete since I had had pelvic surgery just 3 weeks prior.  The event was a lot of fun and Mia's family came to the finish, which was a special treat for us.  Mia passed from luekemia this year, but her family will continue to raise money to help support other families.

The friends of Mia teams at the finish.

Water team: Eric, Stephanie, Brandi, Chris and Becca.

Eric finishing strong on his paddle leg.

Jessica, Paul, Eric, and Jenny at the paddle to run transition.

Carmen hanging out in the shade.  It was very hot and humid on race day.

Jessica, Lani (Mia's Mom), Noah (Mia's twin brother), Casey (Mia's Dad), Chris, and Keith.

All smiles after the race!

Tribal Journey - Squaxin 2012

The 2012 Tribal Journey came to Olympia's Northpoint on Sunday, July 29th.  We wanted to paddle with all the tribes coming from as far away as British Columbia and the Washington coast, but also wanted to be respectful.  So, we launched our SUPs at Boston Harbor in the morning and paddled beside the canoes to their "soft landing" and lunch at Burfoot Park.  We pulled our boards onto the shore and visited and observed.  Then we launched our SUPs with them and paddled along side them (300 ft away) down to Olympia, about 7 miles.  It was awesome hearing their songs as we paddled.  The weather and conditions on the water were perfect.  The official count was 102 tribal canoes!   It was an amazing experience for us, especially because we paddle these waters all the time.  To see the orignial peoples taking the water over again was precious and gave you goose bumps.  A day to never forget!

 Waiting for the canoes to come in for the soft landing at Burfoot Park.

 The soft landing

Yep, I thought it fitting to wear my kuspuk

 Our friends that kayaked with us to Burfoot Park

The canoes coming in to ask for permission from the Squaxin to come ashore.  This ceremony lasted many hours and probably over a thousand folks came to watch from the water and land.

Vancouver BC Birthday Vacation

During my birthday week in mid-March we took a short vacation (4 nights) to Vancouver, British Columbia. We have been trying to get up there for awhile and I wanted a get-away for my birthday. I wanted to have Eric and Carmen with me, but also get to snowboard on my birthday. Even though the weather was cold, stormy and rainy for much of the trip, we had an amazing time and made the most of it. The weather also made for perfect snowboarding conditions. Vancouver is such a cool international city. We will definitely go back when we get the chance.

"Couchy Carmen" in our nice room at the Sylvia hotel on English Bay.

Another view of our spacious, clean, and comfy room.

This funny seagull was watching us from the window ledge of our room while we enjoyed our coffees.

Not letting the cold and stormy weather keep us from enjoying a long walk along Vancouver's waterfront.

Birthday morning room service!

I had an incredible 36th birthday shredding the gnar at Cypress Mountain!

This is where they held some of the 2010 winter Olympics. Cypress Mountain is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

Amazing scenary! So much powder. Nothing like listening to Sigur Ros on the audio helmet and just taking in these views.

Views of Bowen Island from the slopes. On a clear day you can see downtown Vancouver from the slopes. Where else in the world is that possible?

This is a picture of Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver on the drive down from Cypress Mountain after my afternoon of awesome snowboarding.

The sun came out! Here Eric and Carmen are standing beside the seawall along English Bay in front of our hotel.

Looking back towards our hotel (left).

Delicious birthday dinner at the Fish House in Stanley Park, just a 10-minute stroll from our hotel.

Birthday cupcakes in our room to finish the evening.

Taking the water taxi to the Granville Farmers Market. Carmen got to ride too.

Friendship statue.

Dinner and beer tasting at the Alibi Room.

On our last day the sun came out again and we checked out more sites in Stanley Park. The picture above is of Carmen and Eric along the seawall looking back at downtown Vancouver.

The beautiful Stanley Park totems.

View from Stanley Park looking towards North Vancouver and the Lions Bridge. We love you Vanouver B.C.!

Betsy visit

Eric's sister Besty came for a short visit in February. We had a great time with Besty and went hiking everyday (4 hikes in 4 days). Unfortunately we didn't take many pictures, but here are a couple:

Looking out at the water from Seattle's Discovery Park.

Breakfast at Tugboat Annies on Olympia's WestBay.

TBTL 1000th

In January we went to the live recording for the 1000th episode of our favorite podcast: To Beautiful to Live (TBTL) at the Neptune Grande in Seattle. The 1000th show was broadcast live on Kiro FM. Remember the local celebrity Luke Burbank that we ran into back in December 2011 in Port Townsend? This is his podcast. We had a lot of fun. At the end of the night Eric quickly snuck Carmen in the front door and Luke said "Hey I know that dog".

Sean Detore, Luke Burbank and Jen Andrews of TBTL and Kiro Radio fame.