Meet The Girls

We've already been out on the water a few times this season, but the weather hasn't been too cooperative. So since we haven't really got any reviews to post yet, here's a little meet and greet post for you in which I introduce the girls. No, not those girls. I'd you to meet Jayne and Vera.

We currently own two kayaks. They're the cheapest, sturdiest, shortest, widest kayaks I've seen on the water. They work just fine for our crew though. And while we'll someday upgrade to something fancier, these ladies are quite well loved. 

One of the perks of these particular kayaks is that they are virtually untippable. And trust me, we've tried. And, tried. And, tried some more. If a full grown woman with a squirrely six year old sitting in her lap can't tip these babies, nothing can.

Our first kayak is the lovely, school bus yellow beauty, Jayne. She's hard to miss out on the water, which is helpful for those times when I fall asleep out in the Sound, lulled by the warmth of the sun and the gentle bobbing of the waves, and the family has to send the Search and Rescue copter out to find me. Kidding. That last part hasn't actually happened. Yet.

Tater Tot is ready to roll. Or, paddle.

Jayne has a nifty plastic reclining backrest that has a waterproof storage compartment inside. This is a Very Good Thing after what happened to my keys, wallet, and phone that one time when I was paddling the deepest lake in the area. Sadly, I had yet to meet the untippable, storage endowed Jayne at that time in my life.

Our second kayak is the beautiful, bluebell blue Vera. She's the same layout as Jayne, but with a removable canvas backrest. The removable part is a bit of a stinker as we keep forgetting to load it in the car.

Doodle, being a good sport about my leaving his backrest at home.

Kayaking without a backrest is good for kids. It helps to build character.

The Big Guy seems to be getting a bit big for his life jacket...

We've got two different styles of paddles. These are also the cheapest on the market. Three kids = no fancy kayaking gear. Plus, they break everything just by looking at it. As biggest person and tour guide, I always get the nice, padded grip, stylishly sleek black paddle, and the kiddos get the even cheaper, clunkier, eye searingly yellow one. It builds character.

We forgot Vera's backrest. Again. It's okay though. It builds character.

We race occasionally, but mostly paddle along slowly, looking for critters and places to pick the berries that often hang out over the water. We tie up for snack and water breaks, and the kids always get to set the pace.

Tater Tot, looking for a good snack in her goodie bag. We actually remembered Vera's backrest this time.

 Most of our outings are everyone for themselves when it comes to paddling. If you're big enough to captain your own boat, you're big enough to paddle your own boat. No towing allowed. Ever.

Getting a tow is really hard work.

Unfortunately, I'm the only one who believes in that rule.

Drum roll...

So after extensive online research, I have determined that there is void in the online world. There are no websites critiquing the best and worst places to go kayaking in the Northwest. When you're disabled. And, have a five year old in tow. Imagine that!

This blog is my answer to that problem. As I putter, or shall I say, paddle along, I'll review each of the places I kayak. Both with and without my petite pit crew.

So, in the spirit of getting things floating, here's a little about me.

I'm a new kayaker. I purchased a Day Lite Sport sit-on-top at the end of last summer. It was on clearance, a super deal, and came with the paddle. It's florescent yellow and named Vera. The Browncoats out there will know why.


I've always loved the water, and have been in love with the idea of boating ever since I sank my Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake dolls at our local park's fish pond.

I love the Northwest and being surrounded by the water and the mountains. There are hundreds of great (and a few not so great) places to paddle around here.