For me, a couple of San Juan Island caches:
San Juan Sunset --- A great hike up a seemingly endless hill with the kids. We were new to the hobby at the time, so were very proud of our accomplishment. The view at the end was unbelievable.
The other was a DNF (solo trip, thank the lord). It was where I learned a painful, much-needed lesson (don't leave the flippin trail). Jones Island. I got up very early. Inflated the kayak in front of laughing dog-walkers, and paddled to the island through choppy waters. Beached the kayak and started off down what I thought was a trail. What began as tame woodland turned into a tangled valley of fallen giants. I pushed on through, climbing over mammoth logs, crawling under craggly logs, sliding down mud banks, tiptoing across rotting, moss-slicked trunks. I went from the South side, to the North side, in about two and a half hours. Got to the North, looking like a tramp, and still had about .3 miles left. I checked the watch, checked my condition, and decided I couldn't get there (we were checking out that morning and catching a ferry, so I had a time limit to paddle back, shower up, and pack). In looking for a trail back, I walked two hundred yards, avoiding the scout campsites, and found the freeway of a trail between the two sides. I walked back to the south end, and my beached kayyak in 20 minutes. I've broken the golden rule a few times since (always to my detriment), but will never forget the Jones Island experience. I'll be back next summer to get that one.
