Evening Paddle at Kopachuck

One of the privileges of paddling the protected waters of Puget Sound is being able to paddle in all conditions, seasons and times. You can paddle the same stretch of water but vary the time and have it feel as though you’re seeing it for the first time while on an extended kayak expedition. Over the years, I’ve led countless clients out to Cutt’s Island opposite Kopachuck State Park, but seeing the park during an evening paddle gave the old route new magic.

Theresa and I met the clients at the boat ramp located in Horsehead Bay, and where quickly on the water. However, the days are getting notably shorter and before we even left the bay twilight had descended. Paddle Horsehead Bay in the summer and you have to work your way through numerous high-pitched jet skis, water-skiers being towed by boats with stereo’s blaring, and the occasional beach party. This evening however, no one was on the water except a handful of ducks which I couldn’t make out in the dusk. Even the homes on shore had a deserted feeling.

Chris’ back was giving him some trouble so we decided to have our evening meal at the state park instead of trying to make our way out to the island. Again, where in the summer you’d have throngs of people beach combing and enjoying the water front, we found ourselves alone; watching the sky deepen to a dark rich purple in quiet and solitude. Our conversation over Clam Chowder and French bread had an eerie echo as it reverberated over the water, lending whole place and evening with a completely unfamiliar and new texture.

Floating offshore as Theresa helped our guest in the boats, and despite the nearly full moon rising over the horizon, I noticed that the bio-luminous was out in full force, produced by microscopic diatoms. It looked like magic fairies dust as I skulled my paddle. It was a perfect touch to an already magical evening.