It tested our family's paddling skills, but the reward was luscious: sweet, fat blackberries begging to be picked along the edges of Bellevue's Mercer Slough.
With a family of four tucked into a canoe (they fit three adults or two adults and two kids), it took some maneuvering to position the boat in such a way that a couple hands could reach out and pluck off the fruit without tipping everyone over. After one attempt that plowed the front-seat passenger into the thorny vines, we figured out how to creep up sideways. Two kayakers who passed by laughed at the subsequent blue face of our enthusiastic 4-year-old berry chomper.
Coordinating strokes and paddles can be a lesson in family (dis)harmony, but the Mercer Slough is an ideal spot for families to get on the water. The challenging section is the 10- to 15-minute jaunt along Lake Washington from the Cascade Canoe & Kayak Center at Enatai Beach Park to the slough's entrance. Here, the wind and waves from motor boats can be challenging.
After crossing under the freeway and entering the slough, though, there's hardly any current to speak of and the tall growth blocks much of the breeze. The vegetation along the water channel lends to the sense of getting away from civilization, despite Bellevue's nearness. We saw a heron, ducks, dragonflies, water lilies and a, uh, squid. "It was something squishy," insisted our 11-year-old.
There's also a U-pick blueberry farm at the slough but we'd had our fill of berries along the water trail.
If you go
Canoe Mercer Slough
Where
Cascade Canoe & Kayak Center at Enatai Beach Park, 3519 108th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. From Interstate 90, take the Bellevue Way exit northwest; turn south (left) on 108th Avenue Southeast to the park. From Interstate 405, take the Northeast Fourth Street exit west. Turn left onto Bellevue Way, then right onto 108th Avenue. It's about 1.5 miles south of downtown Bellevue.
Cost
Canoe rental is $15 for the first hour (the minimum), then $6 for each subsequent hour, prorated at 15-minute intervals. Two-person kayaks start at $22 for the first hour, then $10 for later hours. The fee includes boat, paddles and lifejackets.
Rental hours
11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Sept. 5. Advance reservations for the next day accepted; otherwise, there may be a wait on weekends.
More information
www.canoe-kayak.com or 425-430-0111.
Guided trips
Bellevue park rangers lead guided canoe trips from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays through September. Children must be age 5 and up. Cost is $10/person for Bellevue residents, $12 for nonresidents. Pre-registration required; 425-452-6885.
— Stephanie Dunnewind, Seattle Times staff reporter
