KAYAK SUCCOR

I have this crazy dream of kayaking around Vancouver Island and this book is by far the best I’ve found for being a guide.  This is volume 1 and it only covers the west coast of the island.  The other books I’ve found are far smaller, less detailed, and try to cover the entire island with less. This book is a series of 3 volumes each covering a different part of BC waters.  Volume 3 is the east side of Vancouver Island.  The creator of these books also offers atlases more specific to kayaking these places.  Check out his site, which is a real wealth of information.  http://www.thewildcoast.ca/Welcome.htm

A delightful local book by local author Biffle French. Paddling the Waters of Vashon Island is not really a guide book but instead an experience into the personality of the waters around Vashon Island. Although it does contain all the information one would expect to find in a guide book it is much better written with some very entertaining stories and commentary.

Just started Spirited Waters. I am hoping that this book is more of what I wanted Kayaking the Inside Passage to be. I am not looking for a guide book, but more a personal experience tale. The book has received a few bad reviews because the author didn’t do the entire trip at once. She instead broke it up over a couple of Summers and Springs. The author is from my town Bellingham, WA. I recognize all the local areas she talks about so it makes it a book I can relate to. Plus I spent some time in Alaska and have traveled much of the inside passage as a kid.

I have often thought that kayaking the inside passage would be a great adventure. However I have a horrible fear of bears!! The author of the book has that same fear.

The weather is lousy today with small craft advisory which has forced me to cancel my paddling today (I was going to go with a less experienced friend). We are going to hit the pool instead for some rolling practice for me and rescue practice for him. Maybe this afternoon I’ll take the time to dig into my new book a bit more.

****UPDATE***

I finally finished this book. Wow it took forever. I was fascinated with the trip, but a bit turned off by the spiritual offshoots the author would go into. Her little spiritual tangents were just a bit much for me. More power to her for finding happiness in life. I am a big believer in people doing whatever makes them happy. Some people would think I am nuts for running or kayaking as much as I do. But this book was just hard for me to stay hooked on. Just not my cup of tea. For example she kept calling Mt. Baker Komo Kulshan. This is the local native name for Mt. Baker, but rarely used. She made it sound like Mt. Baker was the rarely used name. For the right audience it would be a great book though. I thought it was well written and a very interesting journey.

I thought this would be more of this was my experience while kayaking the inside passage book. Instead it is more of a guide book detailing all the places to camp, things to see, things to avoid, etc. Some really interesting history of the area and an easy read.

Deep Trouble

I highly recommend this book. I have read it in pieces several times. We should always be willing to learn from mistakes, ours and others. Co-authored by George Gronseth who owns and teaches Kayak Academy, an excellent school.

Kayaks of Greenland:
The History and Development of the Greenlandic
Hunting Kayak, 1600-2000.

I have long been intrigued by the native kayakers. Their boats are beautiful and their skills are amazing. The author Harvey Golden is a builder of traditional kayaks and has made numerous replicas of historical kayaks.  I have finally bought this book.  My Greenland boat that I built is listed in this boat.  The Fram 176.  Incredible resource.