Last Saturday, surfski racers Traci C. and Tracy L came up from Seattle to check out one of our local favorite paddles; the 20-mile circumnavigation of Lummi Island.We started our adventure at the Lummi Ferry Terminal. The Ferry Terminal is the starting spot for many a paddler heading out to explore Lummi Island or the San Juan’s. On this day we ran into our friend’s Kirk and Sherry, and their well-loved tandem kayak, heading off for an overnight on Orcas Island. Also, getting on the ferry to start their Lawrence Point overnight, I could see one of my Mommy friends, Elise and her husband Alex. Their little one, Hans, had his first kayak adventure in Hayden’s boat just a day ago! The Tracy’s and I loaded our surfskis with lunch, hydration and cameras and headed on our way. We decided to take advantage of the light current moving south through Hales Passage to start off our paddle right. We cruised along effortlessly holding 7.5 – 8.0 MPH while chatting and checking out the scenery. 7 + miles, and less than an hour later, we were rounding the southern tip of Lummi, Carter Point. We paid dearly for the leisurely start to our paddle with a stiff headwind coming out of the north combined with a still ebbing tide. We had about 4 miles to go to reach our lunch destination, Lummi Rocks.The combined current and wind held our speed below 4.5 MPH. Our tummies were grumbling louder than the howl of the wind by the time we pulled up on the south facing beach on Lummi Rocks. We filled our bellies with sandwiches, fresh fruit and homemade cookies to a backdrop of blooming wildflowers. Half a dozen sea lions lounged, warming themselves in the sun on some rocks south of the island. After lunch we continued our paddle into the wind. But, something miraculous happened! The wind calmed until the water became as smooth as a baby’s bottom. As we turned around Migley Point, on the north tip of Lummi, we finished our paddle much as we had begun it… laughing, telling stories, and letting the current do the work.

We parted ways in the early afternoon, stoked with our adventure and more stoked that there was another just around the bend. The Tracy’s were off for more paddling in the Whidbey Island area while I rushed home to pack to take Hayden camping at Baker Lake.

Thanks for an awesome day Traci and Tracy and Ma Nature!!!