It’s been incredibly cold lately (for these parts), which means that I’ve generally had the water to myself. Because January. I know that as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, this will not always be the case, so I am enjoying it now.

The rewrite process is already a good one. I wondered, before I started, if the places I’d written about two decades ago would still have some magic left for me. There are one or two spots that I didn’t get to all that much but more than a few others that I’ve been back to dozens of times, for work as well as pleasure. If these early excursions are any indication of how this project is going to unfold, however, I have no cause for worry. Puget Sound is a bonafide national treasure and I continue to be struck by how it is undervalued by so many of us who are lucky enough to live here. In some small way, I hope that the new guide book will help bring the wonder of the Sound to more people and share the story of an amazing journey.

Which reminds me, “A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to Puget Sound,” is the working title, and it will include trips from Olympia to Deception Pass, a few others in Hood Canal, as well as information about local history and random paddling lore. The target release date is November 16, 2017… more information on all of that is forthcoming. For now, please just save the date.

This week I’ve been to Olalla and northeast Tacoma, Vashon Island and Gig Harbor, as well as a quick run through the Narrows. Next week will bring more. I wouldn’t mind if the temperatures were to rise a little. Or a lot. But even in the cold, even in January, there is nothing finer than to be on the water.