Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Paddling Problems & Eagle Eyes

So this weekend while Jenni, Carloyn Southworth, and Mom were hanging out with all the ladies for Jenni's Baby Shower, Ron & I took his new canoe out for a paddle around the northern tip of Camano Island.

This being my first time in a canoe probably since the day I obtained my canoeing merit badge as a 13 year old boy scout, Ron & I had a bit of trouble trying to make the boat go forward. This must have been pretty hilarious to anyone watching back on shore. I'm sure we looked like 2 drunken sailors out there weaving and swerving from left to right. I told Ron this way we got to see more scenery then if we just paddled straight ahead. Luckily the water was smooth as glass and we were able to make it to our destination.



We set out to find some bald eagles that we had been told can be seen from time to time, but only from the vantage point of out on the water looking back towards land where the beach runs into a cliff.



We were successful and got to see 2 bald eagles. This one let us get close enough to pull up on shore and snaps from pictures.






All in all, it was a fun outing with great weather and adventurous companionship. The first thing we did when we got back was pull out the "Canoeing for Dummies" book to see how the heck you paddle with 2 people in the boat. For anyone that is interested: paddle on opposite sides 8-12 strokes then rotate sides and repeat. We'll have to try that next time.











8 comments:

Brandie said...

Wow, I have never seen an eagle up close like this. Only in pictures. It is really amazing to see how big it really is.

Unknown said...

great pictures Will. It looks like you guys had a good day outside.

Carolyn said...

I'm glad that it was you that got to break both Ron and the canoe in! Hopefully when I get out there with him, he'll have everything figured out so we can go in a straight line! I have to admit however, that I was pretty jealous.....it was such a gorgeous day and I was stuck inside!

Jenni said...

LOL you look like king of your own mountain in that last picture. Glad to see you write a blog! :) love you. Next time, steer the boat staight.

Stephen and Ileana said...

Wow were those pictures with Dad's zoom lens or did you take those with your camera? If that was yours then you guys must have been pretty close! That is awesome.

Will Thomas said...

Ron was smart and left his camera at home, being the 1st outing in the canoe, he wanted to tackle one hobby at a time. Probably a smart idea considering our paddling abilities.

Dan Thomas said...

Dear Will,

I am glad I was not with you as I would have never to the canoe to go forward. I am afraid all the I would do is swamp the canoe.

The pictures you took of eagles were also great. Do you remember all the Eagle we used to see in Paisley and Chiloquin?

Love,
Dad

The Maddens said...

I had (almost) the same thing happen to me with Bethany. We went out to a lake and were like zig zaggin all over the place. I told her that she just paddles on one side and I paddle on the other and when she is tired then switch sides. But she was trying to steer the canoe from the front when that is the person in the backs job. It was still fun but I didn't catch any fish when we got to where we were going. Love the picts of the Bald eagle. Did you have a mega zoom? They are nice.