Paddling with the Senses

I woke up in Seattle to a white city swirling with mist. Didn't let it stop my plans though so I grabbed the requisite Starbucks and hopped on the "water taxi" (really a ferry in my opinion) to West Seattle. Got myself kitted out with a super nice sea kayak and paddled off into the mist. The deep reverberating booming of the fog horns on the giant containerships coming through Puget Sound and the thundering of unseen planes above added a new dimension to the experience.

The water was cold and rich, with fantastical bright orange jellyfish creatures ghosting around. The harbour seals weren't out playing but a swooping bald headed eagle being pursued by tiny persistent starlings made my morning.

The fog started drawing away as I pulled back onto the beach offering tantalising glimpses of the wall of downtown high rises, towering above the two storey freeway which cuts the city off fromt eh water. Even from across the bay you could hear the persistent roar of traffic.