3rd Year Returning Guide
Tom is a welcome addition to the experienced staff of guides at Outdoor Odysseys. He and his wife Mary have lived in the San Juan Islands for thirty years. Being an avid sailor, rower, kayaker, cyclist, and climber, he has an intimate knowledge of the waters and of the land of more than one hundred forested islands, rocks and nature reserves that make up the San Juan archipelago.
Born into a military family in 1944, Tom has lived all over the U.S. and in three countries before settling in Friday Harbor in 1978. While attending the University of Maryland in the early '60s, Tom added river kayaking to his myriad outdoor interests.
Soon after moving to Seattle in 1971, he made his first solo sea kayaking trip to the San Juans, at which time he fell in love with the area.
"My solo sojourn took me from the mainland to most of the larger islands of the San Juans. During this time, I never saw another kayak in the water. Kayaking was an up-and-coming sport then. On this trip I saw my first orca whale and it absolutely blew me away."
He and Mary then built their first sailboat and began exploring the islands in earnest. They now live in the house they built here on San Juan Island where they raised their two sons Justin and Colin who were born in Friday Harbor.
Tom has worked with the Spring Street International School in Friday Harbor teaching rock climbing, mountaineering, and camping. He is a certified ropes course instructor and US Sailing instructor and has taught these courses and run dozens of trips for many years while on the island and in the Cascade Mountains. From 1967-1969, Tom traveled around the United States and climbed in such places as the Wind Rivers and the Grand Tetons in WY.
"The most amazing thing was the two seasons I spent as a Camp 4 climber in Yosemite. In 1968 I participated in one of the earliest ascents of the Nose of El Capitan, the highest monolith rock in the United States."
Why do you enjoy teaching/guiding?
"As a certified naturalist, I love sharing my interest in the flora, fauna, and geography of the San Juan Islands with others. I just enjoy people and the camaraderie of the kayak trips."
Most amazing sighting while working at Outdoor Odyssesy?
"Witnessing the establishment of a nesting pair of peregrine falcons on the west side of San Juan Island while kayaking one afternoon. Being an avid bird watcher, I am always on the lookout for such events. This breeding pair seems to be doing well again this year."
Most amazing whale sighting?
"Last year, we had the opportunity of paddling behind a small pod of orcas heading north. No matter what we did, they kept popping out of the water in front of us. This went on for probably 10 minutes."
