[Paddlewise] made 200, towed Bayliner

My last paddle of the year, just out from the boat launch at Steilacoom (just 
south of Tacoma, WA). Some wind, some waves, some rain.
      For some reason, a bunch of big sea lions had hauled out onto the docks 
at the old Steilacoom Marina.  I thought there might be a sea lion tangled in 
a net or lines by them, as an odd looking mass of things sticking out of the 
water kept meandering against the current, but it turned out to be two large 
sea lions, one somehow swimming upside down with two fins? legs? flippers? 
sticking out of the water, right behind the other. Maybe it was drafting? I went 
up current of them and drifted back down, but found the ones on the shore or 
dock made a horrid racket when I got closer. So, having determined that no one 
needed rescue (not that I would know how, but I could have called the marine 
Mammal protection line), I made a wide perimeter around them and returned to the 
boat launch. There, a power boat had just tied up, to unload one fellow to 
get the track and trailer. Since I have to disembark in the same spot, a launch 
cleverly sited under the RR tracks and cramped at high tide, as today, I 
waited. 
      Unfortunately, when the Bayliner tried to motor over to the trailer, it 
had no power. Zip, none, nadda. So I offered to tow him over! They were 
surprised I had no trouble at all (no wind by then, so I looked good) and I could 
hand the rope directly to the fellow on the trailer, then back up and aim the 
boat right into the trailer. No problem!
      This paddle put me over 200 recorded miles for the year (I wanted to 
make 200 nautical miles, but a cold and the snow ruined my plans).
    So, a successful conclusion to the year! I'll send the photo of me towing 
the Bayliner to Craig, and see if he can post it on West Coast Paddler.
     Best Wishes to all in the coming year! I'm waiting to hear people post 
New Year Kayaking Resolutions!
                           Pam in Washington State
 
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