The trip from Golden Gardens Park to Carkeek Park is a beautiful trip along the coast of Puget Sound that can easily be done in a couple of hours in the afternoon. Once you pass the wooden pilings near the put-in, head north along the coast. Depending on the water conditions, you can choose to paddle closer to the shore for more protection or strike out into more open waters before rounding Meadow Point. Many days you will see fly fisherman trying their luck for salmon or sea-run cutthroat in the mornings and late afternoons. The Puget Sound is a great place to see wildlife, including bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and even orcas. Once you near Carkeek Park, there are several beaches that offer a great place for a picnic, a rest in the sun, or a quick break before heading back with a view of the Olympic Mountains.