Overnight paddle boarding trip to Blake Island

Overnight paddle to an island I've never visited on the Puget Sound- Check! My girl friend told me about a trip to Blake Island that she did last year with her paddle group. I told her I was up for the next one, and this was it. August 20-21. You have to make camping reservations for the site in February and plan around the weather and tides. There are some first come, first served sites, but we wanted to make sure we got an awesome spot. And we did!

Four of us loaded up stand up paddle boards with food, drinks, and all our camping gear for two days and one night of beach camping.  I felt like a bad ass to be able to paddle in and explore a place blessed with amazing hikes and natural beauty. It's only accessible by boat or other water craft. We met up with 3 other women and 2 kids who came on their pontoon boat. They joined us next door with their dog (who kept the raccoons away).

It was a bit scary to share the water with ferries, boats and water taxis for fear of falling over in their wake. But we just took it one stroke at a time, knowing that we could always sit down if we needed to regain our balance or take a break. It was great practice to feel and acknowledge the fear that came up, and keep going anyway. It was a salve for my soul after some very difficult months (I talk about this on a recent podcast episode) to be present in nature and surrender to its rhythm and beauty.

We saw amazing wildlife in its own habitat: eagles, beautiful porpoises, raccoons, and  an array of colored jellyfish. We enjoyed breath taking views. The only unexpected thing was the smoke from all the fires around Canada and Northern Washington but it didn't keep us from going. If anything, it reminded us that nothing is guaranteed, so we should take advantage of every opportunity we have to enjoy life. We ferried over to Southworth and paddled northeast from there. Next time we are starting from Lowman to take the ferry ride out all together. Because there is definitely going to be a next time!