Lake Crescent
Christine September 15th, 2009
We took the wonderful opportunity to canoe Lake Crescent on our way out to the Olympic Peninsula this last July, where we travel each year. Our goal was to fill our trip with things we had never done before and this venture was one – to paddle on Lake Crescent. It was a first in that we had an entire afternoon in front of us and an actual boat on the car. As we headed out from the ferry at Kingston we were anticipating a stop at one of our favorite picnic areas to launch the Red Raven. It was raining lightly when we arrived at the lake but first we paused for a sandwich and an espresso. Get out the camp stove and the coffee. First things first. We ate standing up because the wooden picnic tables were saturated with rain and a thick blanket of sticky green moss covered everything in the forest, including the long table where we might have sat. However, we had been in the car since leaving Ellensburg early that morning; it was good to stretch our legs after the slow crawl through the urban traffic around Puget Sound.
Lunch over with we put on our rain gear and life jackets to go down to the lake shore. The rain halted as we slid the canoe into the water. It was so peaceful and the lake’s surface perfectly undisturbed. Ah…. so quiet. Suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by four very enthusiastic, Japanese tourists who happened to race down the bank right at that moment. They snapped their cameras on the lake shore with an intensity which was alarming; setting up shots with all of their party in the picture — backsides showing or front views of their faces, it did not seem to matter. They all turned around and smiled broadly at us giving a little wave. The rain began again. This was not a heavy rain, but it was enough to send the four tourists back to the shelter of their rental car after a few minutes. (We, of course, would never consider ourselves tourists.) As we pushed off from shore the water was warm around my bare ankles. The rain droplets seemed to fall into rhythm with our paddle strokes, or you know, maybe it was that we were paddling in time with the rain.
Love many, trust a few, and always paddle your own canoe. (A bumper sticker somewhere.)
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I dunno! People!!! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em! I seem to remember you had this type of ‘moment’ up on a mountain a while back! I’m sure you get plenty of peaceful moments too though! (-: The scenery is just stunning! Have I ever said that before?! (-:
What a perfect way to experience Lake Crescent, in a light NW rain. Those silly tourists just didn’t understand. The images look so serene.
breathtaking views. tourists don’t know all the good spots to travel to though so you could have paddled away into those. i’m sure after they went back to the shelter it was quieter. hope all is well. have a great night.
Wonderful glimpse of your vacation, in words and photos – and a nice “words of wisdom” quote!
It seems that you are always out and about soaking up the beautiful scenery. I am so glad you share this with us. I rarely have seen such beauty and I crave it.
I also like your poem for OSI.
Wow, you have been keeping these photos stashed for a rainy day?? Beautiful. Yes you are too tourists. Up here, we call them people “from away”!
Hi Christine, These photos are quite dramatic – those low clouds above the lake’s mirror. I smiled at your descriptions of the tourists. Canoeing in the rain (if you were warm) seems wonderful to me.
Love the reflections. Beautiful shots.