PORT ANGELES — The 2004 Paddle Journey travels across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Esquimalt, British Columbia today.
Lower Elwha Klallam canoe skipper Al Charles Jr. said he hopes canoes are on the water before 6 a.m., and said some crews may leave Hollywood Beach in the twilight as early as 4 a.m.
Charles said it is important for all canoes to be halfway across the Strait before 9 a.m. to keep the safe tides and currents.
He estimated that canoe pullers will paddle for about six hours to reach Esquimalt, which is just west of Victoria and about 20 miles from Port Angeles.
Canoes landed at Hollywood Beach on Tuesday, and skippers decided late that evening to make Wednesday a day of rest, which allowed a few canoes needing minor repairs to be fixed.
In addition, 17 canoes participated in a healing and prayer ceremony Wednesday afternoon off the shores of the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard, site of a Lower Elwha Klallam archeological dig of a 1,700-year-old village.