80 degree day

        I was going to run a Mediviji half marathon I'd been training for with Aaron.   However with the amazing weather report and one more weekend of summer here in Sitka with my friends before leaving to head south for 6 weeks, I couldn't say no to a kayak to the white sandy beach of Sea Lion Cove 25 miles, one way, north of town.  Before the trip the longest I'd ever paddled at once was with Aaron the day after we returned from our honeymoon.  That day we paddled 12 miles across and back to Kruzoff Island to run up our favorite dormant volcano Mnt. Edgecumbe, so I was a bit intimidated by the mileage of this trip, but nothing I knew I wasn't good for, especially with the dreamy 80 degree weather.  Friday afternoon Ben, Em, Kristin and I launched, leaving Aaron behind to work on our deck at home.

        The sun was up but the wind was too, so the trip didn't end without stories.  And thankfully for our friends Ryan and Kristin were also in route to Sea Lion Cove right as we were about to portage to hide from the wind.  They picked us up in their large 30 ft. aluminum boat  2/3rds through our paddle there, allowing us to make it to the beach on day 2 instead of day 3 or 4.   And what a beach it was, after 2 days of paddling and a 2 1/2 mile hike across Kruzoff we spent and afternoon playing frisbee and lounging on a private beach.  The dreamy weather sure made for a dreamy trip!  Here is the photo journal:

 Aaron busy at work on our deck while we are about to head out frolicking, though it did allow Aaron to run the 1/2 marathon and then he and Sam skiffed out to meet us Saturday after the race.  Then Sam and I switched places, Sam paddled my kayak while I took the boat ride back to town with Aaron. 

 Ben, Emily, Kristin and I at our launch Friday afternoon!  Aren't we tough?  And we haven't even paddled yet.

 The newlyweds Em and Ben out at sea!

 Kristin, the trip visionary and my kayak mate on Friday.  Saturday Em and Ben took the double.

 Sunset on the first night... it was just as lovely Saturday evening.  This photo was taken at about 10pm.

 The trail heading out to Sea Lion Cove, notice two bear cubs in the photo?

 We are still on the hike, hard to take a bad photo!

 Sea Lion Cove, no sea lions, but we did see a Minke Whale and Humpback whales on the paddle over!  Orcas were spotted on the paddle back on Sunday, thank goodness everyone was hauled out on the beach!

 Here is a creek that empties into the ocean that we found on the far side of the beach.

 Tanning in the warm sun, I still have a long way to go to catch up with my down south friends, but it is a start.

Here is the padding crew Monday for happy hour.  They all came over Monday to help us finish the deck and various other tasks.  We are lucky enough to have amazing friends that are willing to help us with our remodel, and look at that beautiful deck!