Goodbye to the Seattle Viaduct: Part 1 /  by Kaj Bune

As I write this we are a little less than a month away from the start of the Seattle viaduct’s removal. Here in December I’ve been shooting photos of the concrete landmark because I think when it’s gone the waterfront will be very different in many ways. One thing that will be significant is the elimination of the ever-present vehicle noise, which had my ears ringing after my recent photo outings. It really is loud down there! Also, on a cloudy day (pretty rare in Seattle) it can be dark in the viaduct’s shadow.

I’ll keep shooting and post again soon.

Sometimes I work on the other side of the lens /  by Kaj Bune

For about 10 years now, much of my published photography has been for the outdoor brand EXPED. I work at EXPED USA as the content and PR manager and I’m very fortunate to have been able to use my photographic skills every single day to help the brand be true to the outdoor activities our customers pursue. It’s been a career-long thing for me. Previously I’ve worked for Outdoor Research, Helly Hansen and a couple others in pretty much the same capacity - marketing, PR and photography. It’s been a fun ride!

But for a decade I’ve also been in front of the camera once in a while, for better or worse, talking about EXPED products. Here’s a little example:

Kayaking in Baja, again! /  by Kaj Bune

In February of 2017 I traveled with two friends to Baja. We paddled for four days and then drove across the peninsula for a little whale watching along the coast. In the first half hour I was hooked and knew I wanted to return for more paddling. That, amazingly enough, was my first trip to Mexico! Silly, I know.

This year, my up-for-anything adventure buddy Kate and I, along with her sister Marta, who we traveled with last year, returned to the town of Loreto and we brought friends - Lisa and Ted from Edgewood, Washington, Gina and Warren from Vancouver, BC and Andy from England. Marta (from northern California), was a guide for Sea Kayak Baja Mexico years ago and has been our expert connection to these warm-water outings. This group is a very seasoned collection of paddlers and adventurers, so we did this as a self-guided journey. This year we decided to do a circumnavigation of Isla Del Carmen. Whereas last year, in February, we had some strong winds, this year’s April trip was almost entirely calm. Amazing water, campsites, wildlife and alone time! This was a trip that will not soon be forgotten and may very well become an annual event.

A backpacking trip east of Mt. Rainier /  by Kaj Bune

We did a quick overnighter to a little peak my friend Dave calls Ladybug. There really were ladybugs at the summit. Being an October outing, the night was a brisk one and when the sun crested the trees we were happy for it. As always, good friends make the trip!

This summer's bike tour - Salish Sea islands /  by Kaj Bune

In early August, my friend Kate and I decided to stay closer to home for a bike tour. We completed a wonderful loop that included all sorts of side adventures. Meeting on the Seattle waterfront, we boarded the Victoria Clipper and sailed for Victoria, BC. A night in a nice AirB&B and an afternoon at the great provincial museum made some good memories. Then into the Gulf Islands we cycled, camping on Mayne and Salt Spring Islands. Slow and relaxed is my assessment of Mayne; hilly and bustling with tourist is the feel of Salt Spring. Both were fun and varied.

We returned to the peninsula and pedaled a few miles to Sidney, where we caught the boat for San Juan Island. We stayed with my brother Sven and had some hot days on the roads. An amazing meal at the cheese shop in Friday Harbor, another at Westcott Bay Shellfish Company and even more amazing right at home with Sven. Next up was Lopez Island and a stay in a yurt at the south end. A hike to Iceberg Point was a highlight and some other tucked-away beaches were very nice. When we left Lopez we took the ferry to Anacortes and spent the day riding south on Whidbey Island, our longest day. We stayed this night at an AirB&B in the town of Freeland, in what the owner called “the caravan.” Very cozy and funky and green and fun! Then it was one more ferry to the mainland and completion of the circle to Seattle again.

Last year it was biking around the Netherlands. This year closer to home. Next year?