All Good Things Are Wild and Free

I fell in love with kayaking about 4 months after cancer treatment ended. I had heard that doing any exercise with a rowing motion helps clear lymph nodes in your chest and axillary area, which led me to wanting to take a kayak for a test drive. Plus, I needed to start moving my body to shed the 60lbs that I had gained from the cocktail of meds that go through our bodies during treatment and I knew it would provide me a wonderful opportunity to better my health. It didn’t take long and I was all in!

While this sport is free once you’re on the water, preparing and having the right gear to get on the water can be quite expensive. I couldn’t afford to buy a bright shiny new kayak as they average between $2,500 and $5,000 for one that is made for ocean journeys and will have great glide and tracking. I went out to offer up and found a 30 year old Nekkie Nutka, an 18′-0″ boat that was custom made for someone a tad smaller than I am, but fit me well enough to get started. 

I first learned to kayak in Lake Washington — which was great because there wasn’t much of a tide to have to worry about and it’s relatively shallow making it easy to recover if you capsize. Trust me, I have personal experience here as I rolled the first day in my new kayak – and while it was a shocking experience, it reminded me that this was a serious sport – learning proper leaning and where the primary and secondary stabilization is with the type of boat you have makes a huge difference in your navigation. It wasn’t long though and the ocean was calling — I couldn’t wait to go west to the Olympic Peninsula and kayak in some of those deep blue waters.

Let Me Introduce You to Hood Canal

Hood Canal is a beautiful and serene body of water located in western part of Washington. It is surrounded by lush forests and stunning mountain ranges, making it the perfect destination for kayaking enthusiasts, and is my top place to experience a sport that I now love and the beautiful scenery that the Olympic mountain range is known for.

Spring on Hood Canal is a favorite time of year for me; it provides a sensory experience like no other, especially on a warm, spring day when the sun is high and a light breeze wafting incredible sea air is ever so slightly whirling over the water.

For those that live here in the beautiful PacNW, that first warm day of spring brings the peace and perspective that we’ve all survived another dark, grey and wet winter. It’s a time of celebration! The sun feels so good on your skin, and you can’t help but feel a sense of happiness and contentment as you soak up the warmth. The gentle rocking of the kayak and the sound of the water lapping against the side of the boat only add to the feeling of relaxation and peace. It’s just good for the soul!

Breathing in the sea air is equally invigorating. The salty scent of the water and the fresh breeze blowing off the canal is a refreshing contrast to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It clears my mind and energizes my body with each rhythmic stroke of the paddle. Once I’m into the flow of my boat gliding through the water, no matter how good or bad I might feel, I’m simply more alive and rejuvenated as it gives a sense of freedom that sets my heart ablaze each time I’m on the water.

And that WILDlife though….

One of the most incredible aspects of kayaking on Hood Canal is the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife that calls the area home. From bald eagles soaring overhead to seals lounging on the rocks, there is always something to see when exploring the canal by kayak. If you’re able to get out on the water. be sure to watch for a sighting of one of the many bald eagles that reside here as you paddle along the shoreline. These majestic birds can often be spotted perched on branches overlooking the water, or soaring high in the sky on the hunt for their next meal. Seeing a bald eagle in the wild is truly a breathtaking experience, and kayaking on Hood Canal offers a unique perspective to view them in their natural habitat.

Another fascinating animal to watch for is the harbor or bay seal. These playful creatures can often be seen lounging on the rocks, basking in the sun and swimming in the bay dining on a feast of salmon and other fish. If you’re lucky, you may even see them swimming alongside your kayak, curious about your presence.

In addition to these more iconic animals, there is also a wealth of marine life to discover in the clear waters of Hood Canal. From colorful sea anemones to crabs scurrying across the rocks, there is always something to see and appreciate.

If you venture further out into the canal, you may even have the opportunity to witness a pod of orcas swimming by. These majestic creatures are a rare sight, but if you’re lucky enough to see them, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. I haven’t kayaked close to a pod of whales yet, and while I think it would be an incredible experience to do so, I think it would scare the bejeezus out of me!

Who doesn’t love a good adventure?