eagle island, blake island, ostrich bay
eagle island:
Date: August 17, 2020
Time Start: 12:45 p.m.
Time Finish: 3 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Eagle Island State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1189
Engine Hours Finish: 1192
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny summer day, mid 80's
We had a 99 degree day in Olympia yesterday, too hot! Today we are enjoying cooler air and the chance to spend several days on the water. The joker valve in our head has been replaced along with a few other important tasks. We are disappointed when we arrive at the marina, the boat looks filthy. We spend an hour before setting out to hose off and wipe away an accumulation of dusty wood debris from the log storage yard next to the marina. How we wish the Port of Olympia would require sprinkling or hosing down of the logs before they are moved around. They are the main export product from the Port, and it shouldn't cost much to take that simple step. It isn't fun to clean your boat and then return in a couple of days to find that you need to do it all again!
We put that behind us. The tide is low, a light breeze blows over us, the mountains are clear, and cormorants are on their usual perch as we set out into our beautiful water world. It's a good day for cruising, passing familiar mileposts along the way to Eagle Island.
Time Start: 12:45 p.m.
Time Finish: 3 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Eagle Island State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1189
Engine Hours Finish: 1192
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny summer day, mid 80's
We had a 99 degree day in Olympia yesterday, too hot! Today we are enjoying cooler air and the chance to spend several days on the water. The joker valve in our head has been replaced along with a few other important tasks. We are disappointed when we arrive at the marina, the boat looks filthy. We spend an hour before setting out to hose off and wipe away an accumulation of dusty wood debris from the log storage yard next to the marina. How we wish the Port of Olympia would require sprinkling or hosing down of the logs before they are moved around. They are the main export product from the Port, and it shouldn't cost much to take that simple step. It isn't fun to clean your boat and then return in a couple of days to find that you need to do it all again!
We put that behind us. The tide is low, a light breeze blows over us, the mountains are clear, and cormorants are on their usual perch as we set out into our beautiful water world. It's a good day for cruising, passing familiar mileposts along the way to Eagle Island.
We arrive at Eagle Island State Park. There are buoys on both sides of the island. One side has terrific views of Mt.Rainier, but we opt to drop our anchor on the opposite side where two boats occupy both buoys.
There is a resident seal colony on Eagle Island, and right away we see seals popping up and swimming all around us. There seem to be a lot of young pups with their moms, and we love hearing their wild sounds as they communicate. What are they saying? We imagine things like "mom, mom, mom! slow down! Are we diving again? I'm hungry. I'm tired." Lots of chatter going on!
The tide is incoming, carrying drifts of algae by the boat. Small schools of fish swim by, including sand lances. And the late afternoon sun highlights the beauty of the island.
We love this beautiful, wild little island, so full of life in the water, on the shore, and in the treetops. It is lovely spot for an overnight. And yes, there are eagles here!
blake island:
Date: August 18, 2020
Time Start: 7:45 a.m
Time Finish: 11 a.m.
Cruise From: Eagle Island Marine Park
Cruise To: Blake Island State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1192
Engine Hours Finish: 1195
Weather/sea conditions: Clouds early, then sun, a breezy, windy afternoon, 70 degrees
Seals are swimming and many are gathered on the shore of Eagle Island as we leave on a partly cloudy morning.
Time Start: 7:45 a.m
Time Finish: 11 a.m.
Cruise From: Eagle Island Marine Park
Cruise To: Blake Island State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1192
Engine Hours Finish: 1195
Weather/sea conditions: Clouds early, then sun, a breezy, windy afternoon, 70 degrees
Seals are swimming and many are gathered on the shore of Eagle Island as we leave on a partly cloudy morning.
It's quiet as we cruise to the Narrows, no other boats are in sight as we drink our coffee and munch on granola bars. The skies have it this morning, beautiful clouds, and it is just us riding a five knot current under the twin bridges.
The quiet continues in Colvos Passage, with the exception of a lone sailboat and the tug "Island Mist" pushing a barge in the opposite direction toward Tacoma.
We're back in the waters of many ferries as we cross to Blake Island. We look for a buoy along the island, but all are occupied. We are in luck! There is space on the dock right below the longhouse of Tillicum Village.
We are so surprised to see dock mates Denise and Russ from our Swantown Marina here acting as dock hosts! They will be here for a week, assisting the incoming and outgoing boaters on these busy docks. It doesn't take long after our arrival for the docks to be full. Check out is 1 p.m., and it pays to arrive early for a potential spot.
Blake Island is a great place for walking trails and exploring beaches. We do plenty of that! Tides are low for today and tomorrow, giving us the chance to check out some of the exposed intertidal areas.
Along the beaches today:
Along the beaches today:
Miles of walking trails go around and through the island. It's a great place to stretch your legs.
It is impossible to be on a dock and not engage in dock visits, and we attempt to maintain social distancing. With COVID, masks are essential equipment to carry! The afternoon winds are strong, rocking the docks, and NORTH STAR is in constant motion as we prepare dinner for inside the cockpit.
Date: August 19, 2020
Blake Island morning layover
Weather: sunny and calm, clouds increasing
The winds have died down, hooray! The tide is low, time for beach combing. And, of course, time for lots and lots of photos! We take in everything from the logs and rocks and driftwood structures to the rocks covered with barnacles and anemones, various kinds of algae, shells, and eel grass swaying with the waves. Enjoy!
Blake Island morning layover
Weather: sunny and calm, clouds increasing
The winds have died down, hooray! The tide is low, time for beach combing. And, of course, time for lots and lots of photos! We take in everything from the logs and rocks and driftwood structures to the rocks covered with barnacles and anemones, various kinds of algae, shells, and eel grass swaying with the waves. Enjoy!
Back at the Blake Island marina, there are now three Ranger Tugs on the docks. Sound Hound from Beaverton, Oregon, TUGether from Everett, and our NORTH STAR make for a pretty sight! A couple of park boats are also docked, and a small passenger boat for Argosy Cruises has been bringing in a few people at a time to visit Tillicum Village and the island. Take out lunches are available from them from Wednesday through Sunday, but the usual tourist activities are closed due to COVID-19. We have time for some short dock chats with the Ranger Tug crews and lunch aboard NORTH STAR before leaving.
ostrich bay:
Date: August 19, 2020
Time Start: 1:40 p.m.
Time Finish: 3:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Blake Island
Cruise To: Ostrich Bay, Dyes Inlet (Bremerton)
Engine Hours Start: 1195
Engine Hours Finish: 1197
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, calm morning, clouds increasing. 80 degrees. Afternoon winds & current.
We leave Blake Island, making our way to Rich Passage, passing a fish farm at the entrance. A passenger ferry is heading to Seattle, stirring up memories of a project we worked on here many years ago when property owners sued to halt a class of fast ferries that were eroding their beaches. They won their case, and the ferries used now no longer produce wakes that eat away at the shorelines.
Time Start: 1:40 p.m.
Time Finish: 3:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Blake Island
Cruise To: Ostrich Bay, Dyes Inlet (Bremerton)
Engine Hours Start: 1195
Engine Hours Finish: 1197
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, calm morning, clouds increasing. 80 degrees. Afternoon winds & current.
We leave Blake Island, making our way to Rich Passage, passing a fish farm at the entrance. A passenger ferry is heading to Seattle, stirring up memories of a project we worked on here many years ago when property owners sued to halt a class of fast ferries that were eroding their beaches. They won their case, and the ferries used now no longer produce wakes that eat away at the shorelines.
Just before reaching the Bremerton Marina, we turn into Dyes Inlet, a waterway we have never explored. We pass under bridges, one is quite new, and enjoy the scenic cruise as we head to Ostrich Bay. The Inlet is lined with waterfront homes all along the way. A fire boat is conducting a practice drill along the shoreline, and the Olympics rise in the distance.
Rounding Rocky Point, we enter Ostrich Bay, but continue through the narrow inlet to Oyster Bay out of curiosity. It is small and completely lined with homes, too.
A friend told us about Ostrich Bay, thinking we might like it as good spot to anchor while social distancing. Along one shore is a forested area that is now a park. It is near an old ammunition pier for the Navy. He was right, we drop our anchor, and only one other boat, a sailboat, anchors at a good distance from us. The downside is that there is a lot of traffic noise from the nearby highway to Silverton, and there are wakes and noise from local boaters enjoying various water sports. Typical anywhere this time of year!
Wind is rippling the water, and a strong current flows past NORTH STAR. Through the water, we see numerous moon jellyfish pulsating and drifting with the current. They are a few feet deep. Fortunately, they are harmless, and we are ready for some refreshing swims. No problem! The water is cold, we don't stay in for long. We warm up with a happy hour in the cockpit, followed by steaks on the grill and fresh peaches. Life is good!
Wind is rippling the water, and a strong current flows past NORTH STAR. Through the water, we see numerous moon jellyfish pulsating and drifting with the current. They are a few feet deep. Fortunately, they are harmless, and we are ready for some refreshing swims. No problem! The water is cold, we don't stay in for long. We warm up with a happy hour in the cockpit, followed by steaks on the grill and fresh peaches. Life is good!
Date: August 20, 2020
Time Start: 8:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5 p.m.
Cruise From: Ostrich Bay, Dyes Inlet
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1197
Engine Hours Finish: 1205
Weather/sea conditions: Mixed weather day, some sun, a shower, lots of clouds, 70 degrees.
Morning sun brightens Ostrich Bay this morning after a bit of drizzle overnight. A good breeze is blowing from the S.W. We are cruising home today after a wonderful few days on the water.
Time Start: 8:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5 p.m.
Cruise From: Ostrich Bay, Dyes Inlet
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1197
Engine Hours Finish: 1205
Weather/sea conditions: Mixed weather day, some sun, a shower, lots of clouds, 70 degrees.
Morning sun brightens Ostrich Bay this morning after a bit of drizzle overnight. A good breeze is blowing from the S.W. We are cruising home today after a wonderful few days on the water.
The ebb tide carries us out of Dyes Inlet, adding a few knots to our speed. Passing homes, marinas, boat ramps, bridges, we trace our way back out.
A mist is falling as we reach the docks of Bremerton and turn toward Rich Passage once again.
We're out of the mist as we continue towards home, with Mt. Rainier rising over a bank of fluffy clouds along the way and a distant view of the Seattle skyline.
We ride the current through the Narrows, pass Eagle Island once again, and easily make our way to Olympia. Behind us are blue skies studded with white clouds, but ahead of us dark skies loom over the city. We get NORTH STAR pumped out, the fuel tank filled, put her in her slip, and cart our belongings to our car just as the raindrops start to fall. Cleanup will wait until tomorrow.