It’s sunny and you want to get out of the house and do something a little different. The bike trails are bound to be crowded, so why not hit the water? After the University Street Fair last weekend, that’s exactly what I did. The Boyfriend and I walked down from the Ave to the waterfront to hit up
Agua Verde Paddle Club & Cafe (www.aguaverde.com)
Why did no one tell me that kayaking is the most fun activity in the world?? Years of schooling at UW, many a lunch and dinner at Agua Verde, and never once had I rented a kayak and gone out on the water. I obviously have some time to make up, and I plan to do so every nice weekend the rest of the summer. But on to the information about Agua Verde.
It’s on Portage Bay down from UW like I mentioned. You can rent a single or a double kayak and take it out on one of four different routes: Portage Bay, the Arboretum, Lake Washington or explore Lake Union. Each of them are different difficulty levels and take approx. a different amount of time ranging from 1 hour (Portage Bay) to 4 hours (Lk Wa –> Kirkland). They also do sunset tours!
There’s a 1 hour minimum for rentals, then it it pro-rated for each 10 minutes. Prices are $15/hr for a single & $18/hr for a double. And it’s much easier than it seems it’ll be! However, be prepared to have slightly sore arms and shoulders in the evening and the next day — make it an excuse to get a massage!
And once you’re done kayaking you have to grab some amazing fish tacos at the restaurant! From their site:
We strive to use organic, sustainable and eco-friendly food and are proud of our recycling and composting efforts.
Their tacos are amazing, especially the Bacalao tacos (my favorite!), although we also ordered the Mahi Mahi tacos, which were fabulous, and split them. They’re also known for their Mangodilla, a quesadilla with mango in it which is also pretty tasty despite the odd combo.
Oh yea, did I mention their delish homemade salsas and fab margaritas? What about their Happy Hour? It’s Monday – Thursday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with drink and appetizer specials (mangodilla for $3.75!), and Paddle Club Happy Hour ANY weekday (cheaper kayaks & your third hour free).
What’s your favorite water sport? And, more importantly, will I see you on the water this weekend??
I heart this place, food and kayaking. Take a piece of advice from me, though, do not let your newfound affection for kayaking blind you to its challenges. Right after my first trip to AV, I went up to Ross Lake in the Cascades. Hopped up on kayak excitement, I of course wanted to rent some and go out and about. Cocky, I had my ipod on and told my friend’s husband (she’d opted out) that he didn’t have to stick by me, we could explore on our own.
Then after paddling about happily away from the resort, I turned around and hit the wind. I could not make ANY headway against it. Everytime I would try to paddle back, it would turn me completely around so I would lose all ground and be facing the other way. I was trapped out in the middle of this big lake, and suddenly had visions of the Dateline NBC episode about the out of shape city slicker who had to be rescued from the water.
Eventually my friend’s hubs talked me through it and we did get back but I was appropriately humbled.
That said, the friendly waters of Lake Union are awesome and i need to get out again this summer!
[Reply]
Oh my goodness, I LOVE agua verde! they’re so yum and I feel like i’m doing my body such good, enjoying lighter, healthier mexican food!
i have yet to try the kayaking though. I’m a tiny bit nervous but hopefully this weekend we’ll get out there! The prices are so great too- definitely recession friendly! that’s my style!
[Reply]
[...] Agua Verde: grab an order of the best fish tacos in town after a fantastic afternoon of kayaking on the water [...]
[...] Spend the afternoon kayaking then chow down at Agua Verde* [...]