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Southeast Sea Kayaks, Ketchikan's kayak sales, rental and outfitting company has closed its doors. Ketchikan Kayak Company, led by an enthusiastic young owner, is taking its place as Ketchikan's go-to kayaking resource.

In 2013 Denis Dwyer self-published a new Inside Passage paddling guide titled "Alone in the Passage: An Explorers Guide to Sea Kayaking the Inside Passage." Quirky, lacking in professional editing, and mostly a compilation account of Dwyer's two solo paddling trips, along with his opinions on preparation, resources & gear, it is well worth reading. For one, Dwyer covers alternate routes not covered in Miller's guide, and provides observations that are worth noting.

The Cascadia Marine Trail has added a new campsite at the Wolfe Property State Park just north of the west end of the Hood Canal Bridge. To reach the new campsite (by road), travel west across the Hood Canal Bridge and take the first right onto Paradise Bay Road. Proceed north for about 3/4-of-a-mile and turn right onto Seven Sisters Road. Follow Seven Sisters to the parking lot at the end of the road. Access to the beach is at the east end of the parking lot. Wolfe Property State Park is to the left; Shine Tidelands State Park is to the right.

Beginning May 1, 2010, boaters will need to obtain a permit and attend a brief training session before launching any boat from San Juan County Park on the west coast of San Juan Island. The training, which covers laws protecting marine wildlife and responsible boating guidelines within the San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area, was developed in association with the Whale Museum's Soundwatch program.

The training and permit requirements will be in force for anyone launching a motor, wind or human powered vessel between May 1 and September 30, the season when orcas frequent those waters. The program was instituted as an interim solution after the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed regulations that would effectively close San Juan County Park's boat ramp and prohibit most boating activities along a large percentage of San Juan Island's west side during summer.

For more information, contact the San Juan County Parks & Recreation office at 360-378-8420.

Kitsap County Parks & Recreation and the WWTA have agreed on the location of 2 new Cascadia Marine Trail campsites. Construction and opening dates are still undetermined. The first campsite, in Upper Puget Sound, is Pilot Point, approximately 2 miles south of Point No Point. The second campsite will be located on the western shore of Colvos Passage at Anderson Point on a 66-acre park. Stay tuned for updates.

Without notice, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decided to permanently close the campground at Strawberry Island, a Cascadia Marine Trail site, effective June 18, 2009. All facilities have been removed, including picnic tables, signs, fire rings and toilet. Day use is still permitted but human waste must be packed out.