Boating the Puget Sound

Well, after the long winter we finally got a full day of sunshine on Mother's Day. We went boating and fishing in the Puget Sound of Washington. Blaine, Danny's friend and Co-worker took us out with his little brother. When we first got into the water the boat wouldn't start. So, they fiddled with the battery and then it started. Then it slipped out of gear, it's an old boat. But we just kept going in a low gear. It took a while to get to the rock cod fishing spot off Camano Island, but we made it. Then Blaine thought he would turn off the engine. Yep, it didn't start back up. The battery was dead, dead, dead. After a few attempts to flag down and ask other boaters for help we had no luck. Then called for a boat taxi, starting at $250 an hour. No way! We didn't want to pay that, so we just kept calling out to the next closest boat. We asked ourselves, how much cash do we have? I had a 20. The other boys had some money and we came up with $100 in cash and offered to give the other boaters $100 to tow us back to Kayak Point. It all worked out and we had a great day in the sun. I got sunburned. Lessons Danny and I learned, always have a charged battery, an extra battery, a rope, and a spare $100. We also saw a big eagle's nest and eagles calling, we saw dolphins swimming, and seals too! Great trip even though we just had to go back in a bit early.

Hiking Wallace Falls

Too many people! And one heck of a hike. We brought our fishing poles, hoping only to catch some fish of course. Everyone on the trail started asking us, "Are you headed to Wallace Lake." The lake was like 7 miles up. We just told people no, we were just fishing the waterfall holes. Then everybody asked us, "Catch any fish?" "Nope." "Not yet" We didn't catch a bite. But we did hike probably 5 miles, and still didn't make it to the top of the fall, but we did make it to middle fall. We were hiking in a rain forest. There were many ferns, devils club which wapped me in the face when we went hiking off trail, lots of dogs with their look a like owners, and cool moss covered spider like trees. I fell in twisted my leg in the beginning and it is still healing. Pulled some tendon, but it's working itself loose again. It was a good hike, and even though Danny did not want to be around all the people, he did it just for me.

Fishing the Columbia River in Oregon

Well, talk about exhausting and fun. Danny took me on a boat guided by Lee Freeman who works on the Columbia River everyday trying to help poor souls like our selves catch some salmon. Lee said the girls always catch more than the boys. From my past fishing experiences I usually catch the last fish of the day and the biggest on the boat. I'm not trying to brag, it's just a fact. Lee said it's because the girls usually don't have any bad habits and will listen to him more than guys do, so they catch the fish. First our friend Nick caught a salmon, then me, then nothing for most of the day. This is the biggest salmon run since the 1930s. The week before every boat was limiting out. Just as we were about to call it a day, I caught another salmon, but he was strong. I tried to fight with him, but my muscles in my arm gave out and Danny stepped right in, landing the Chinook Salmon. It was a team effort. We have great photos from the trip. There is a lot to fishing in a trolling boat on a river for salmon. Many important steps. Another great adventure.

Yes, good bed.

I found the one I was thinking about.

Soar?

Can you say soar? I can! I am soar today after the kayaking trip. Feel like I was squished in a vise. But I guess I will get stronger in my upper back and kneck, which is where I feel the pain. It's not a good soar either. Started to think, maybe it's that air matress we are sleeping on. Can't wait for our real bed to arrive in 8 days. Oh pillowtop, it's been too long. Funny, it's one of the only pics I have of that bed. See if I can dig up another one.

Kayaking Up Stream, Against the Wind

Today Danny and I kayaked up stream of the Snohomish River. I admit, we were both a little hungover, but we went anyways. Had a great time. At first the trip was rough. Felt like we weren't getting anywhere. The tide of the ocean really affects the tide of the river. We were lucky the tide was going in when we paddled up stream for about an hour. Danny always has to listen to music wherever he is, so he pulled out his little MP3 Player, and mini speakers I bought for him for work while he is in the fuel tank. Anyways...he puts on Bob Segar's "Against The Wind." I love that song, but all I could think was, F*** You Bob Segar. But it wasn't Bob's fault, just a windy day. We discovered if you paddle close to the bank of the river you have more control and speed, but it was very hard. We had hopes of making it to the slough. On our way we passed some goats and a pretty duck/swan thing. Then we had a conversation on our phones with Danny's mom. Then the Danny's phone died and I called her back on my phone. What's wrong with us? Bringing our cell phones and all. We need to get more countrified again. But all was well and we had a great time.

Look at all the hats

Ha..I just realized if you scroll through the blog, you will see the many different hats Danny has worn over the years.