Kayakers Navigate Deception Pass, Washington, while Boat Builders, Tsunami Preparers, and Visitors to Whidbey Island Live with Water Everywhere.

The guys who kayak the treacherous waters of Deception Pass must be having the nautical time of their lives.  When you stand on the bridge, holding on tight, tight, tight to the railing, and look down at the swirling silver eddies 100 feet below, you get some deep respect for Mother Nature and the boaters who test their mettle against the tide.  You also get vertigo in the extreme! 

Hard to say how many people have taken their lives by jumping off the bridge into the chilly maelstrom below.  A small plaque commemorates a young man named Bryan who is "at one with the sea" now. Well wishers continue to bring fresh flowers to honor his memory.

OK.  Now for the boat builders.  My nephew Christian here just finished up his course of study at Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend. We got the grand tour of keel-up restorations of ocean going sloops, work boats, even mahogany lake craft inboards, throw-back to the Roaring Twenties.  Christian represents a new generation of wooden boat craftsmen, a trade and passion currently in decline never mind how strong the demand for builders.

Christian and Dad Mark check out a molded fiberglass rowing skiff built by students at Northwest.

And finally, the Tsunami warnings.  Folks out there in the San Juans take the threat of earthquake and tsunami seriously.  Helpful signs are posted in strategic low lying places.  So far, residents have not been required to "Go to High Ground or Inland."  Phew.