Paddlewisers, This summer I'd like to take a kayaking tour, and I have my heart set on the Pacific Northwest. Any tour company recommendations? Some constraints: 1. I want to go for 3-5 days. 2. I don't want to end up featured in "Deep Trouble." 3. I'd like to be able to see a little bit of either Portland or Seattle while I'm there, so a tour that starts/ends less than a day's drive from either would be good. San Juans? Columbia River? And while I'm there, good restaurants, hotels, other things not mentioned in guidebooks for my terrestrial exploration? Ah, the joys of having something to look forward to... Lisa W. ______________________ lisa_at_cadence90.com bikes, books, internet radio *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'd recommend the San Juans. It's only a couple of hours drive from Seattle to Anacortes, where you catch the ferry. One caution: weekends can get crazy, especially Sunday night. If you are on one of the islands you may have to wait with your car in line for the ferry for several hours. I think you can start paddling from Anacortes and not have to take a ferry. Other options: launch from Bellingham - also 2 hours from Seattle. I have several books on paddling in the San Juans and Gulf Islands (Canada), but I've never done it. Alas, I moved from the Northwest to California before I got my kayak (though there are plenty of good spots down here.) Check out the Washington Water Trails site: http://www.wwta.org/trails/cmt.html Good luck. (I'm jealous!) - Gordon Snapp *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I used to run trips with Northwest Outdoor Center (http://www.nwoc.com) and think they do a great job. There is also: Outdoor Odysseys - http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/ Shearwater - http://www.shearwater.com/ Alder Creek - http://www.aldercreek.com/ (I think they come up from Portland) Outdoor Adventures - http://www.outdoor-adventures.org/ - (recently met the new owners) It's nice to be able to start from Lopez or San Juan island (and maybe Deer Harbor on Orcas). The currents can be a real bear unless used to your advantage. Huge eddies are along island and can be used when going against a current. Andree Andree Hurley http://www.onwatersports.com/ Port Townsend, WA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> >>>>>Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 23:59:30 -0500 >From: "Lisa Williams" <lisa_at_cadence90.com> >Subject: [Paddlewise] Recommendations: Tour companies, Pacific NW > >Paddlewisers, > >This summer I'd like to take a kayaking tour, and I have my heart set on >the Pacific Northwest. > >Any tour company recommendations? ><snip> >San Juans? Columbia River? And while I'm there, good restaurants, >hotels, other things not mentioned in guidebooks for my terrestrial >exploration?<<<<< > >If you come to BC try to choose a tour company that is a member and has >guides that are members of the Sea Kayakers Alliance of BC. These guides >have to pass stringent requirements to get their lead guide >status. That's the easiest way to ensure you'll be with a repuable company. Try checking out "Hidden Pacific Northwest," from you're local library. This is a great area guide book for B&B's restaurants and pubs throughout Washington, Oregon and BC. It's a must read. Good luck and enjoy your stay. Gordin Warner *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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