Parasailing from Poo Poo Point (WA Cascades)

Two parasailors prepare for joint flight

Jonah, Leah (his nanny) and I recently took what I hoped would be a short kids oriented hike in the Cascades. Well, 9 miles, 6 hours and lots of sweat and toil later, we discovered that this isn’t a hike for kids. But it was fun! At the top we got to see a lighter than air experience! Parasailing. Washington State is the second most popular state in the U.S. for parasailing (after California). And Poo Poo Point is one of the best spots in the State to do it.

Jonah, Dad and Gede on our
sweaty way up to Poo Poo Point

Parasailors have created a gently sloping downhill runway that enables safe takeoff and, in the case of emergency, probably a safe tumble down to the ground. But during our hour there, we saw nary a tumble or misstep. Fifteen or twenty parasailors took off in that span and the sight of those wind-powered birds aloft was magnificent as you can see in these pictures. if you’d like to see more and larger images, please visit the Parasailing gallery of my photo gallery.

Poo Poo Point was first “flown” by parasailors in 1975. It’s amazing to think of those early pioneers who scouted out the location and determined to take flight from it for the first time. I suppose if you’ve taken enough flights then flying from a place you’ve never flown from before might not be as intimidating as it seems to me. Anyway, my hat is off to them for their bravery and fortitude.