Jarrell Cove Celebrations
Date: August 26, 2015
Time Start: 12:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 3:25 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Jarrell Cove, Harstine Island
Weather/Sea Conditions: Sunny! Light clouds and calm, mid 80's
We're celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary today! And Friday will be Dan's birthday. Our daughter and three grandkids are joining us at Jarrell Cove and will stay ashore in the campground. We are ready to be back on the water and excited to be spending time with our family. We wish our son and family could be here, too, but they are still in Europe and having a great summer.
The moon jellies are thick in Budd Bay and the water is a rich brown due to plankton blooms. The cruising is smooth, the water calm, and boat traffic is sparse. The bare looking Olympics are in view, snow is completely gone. Our route takes us between Hope and Squaxin Islands and then along the west shore of Harstine Island to Jarrell Cove.
Time Start: 12:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 3:25 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Jarrell Cove, Harstine Island
Weather/Sea Conditions: Sunny! Light clouds and calm, mid 80's
We're celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary today! And Friday will be Dan's birthday. Our daughter and three grandkids are joining us at Jarrell Cove and will stay ashore in the campground. We are ready to be back on the water and excited to be spending time with our family. We wish our son and family could be here, too, but they are still in Europe and having a great summer.
The moon jellies are thick in Budd Bay and the water is a rich brown due to plankton blooms. The cruising is smooth, the water calm, and boat traffic is sparse. The bare looking Olympics are in view, snow is completely gone. Our route takes us between Hope and Squaxin Islands and then along the west shore of Harstine Island to Jarrell Cove.
There are a few boats on the long dock, but plenty of space for us, and we tie up at the outer end of the dock. We have some time to enjoy our surroundings and meet fellow boaters before the kids arrive.
And here they come! The fun begins! Setting up camp is first on the agenda, followed by spaghetti dinner.
Darkness is already setting in when we finish dinner. With flashlights and headlamps, we head to the small dock to explore. The kids find all sorts of marine life along the edges of the dock and catch comb jellies and moon jellies. Andrew locates all of the large crabs for us. A bright moon is rising and we are in an amazing setting. We can't wait for tomorrow when we have a full day here!
Date: August 27, 2015
Jarrell Cove layover day
Weather: Sunny and hot! Upper 80's
We have a full day to fill with fun. Andrew and Annike are the first to show up on NORTH STAR. They are ready to get the day going, eager to get out in the kayaks. And off they go!
Date: August 27, 2015
Jarrell Cove layover day
Weather: Sunny and hot! Upper 80's
We have a full day to fill with fun. Andrew and Annike are the first to show up on NORTH STAR. They are ready to get the day going, eager to get out in the kayaks. And off they go!
Kelda and Connor are still in the campsite enjoying the quiet.
Tide is out, ramp is steep, views are great!
There is no need for a spa when the mud baths are free!
We have great crab spotting and people watching from the top of the ramp.
Muddy kids get a rinse.
Time to identify those crabs with Connor's knowledge and assistance. He is a docent at the Seattle Aquarium this summer, and has learned a lot!
Everyone goes separate directions. Grandpa and Andrew explore the low tide in the cove, Connor and Kelda play in the kayaks, Annike stays with me and does some marine artwork.
Kayaks, dinghy, the water - it's crazy fun with all three! And that water is COLD!
Back in the sun, getting warm. A little downtime with UNO. Watch out for cards slipping through the dock, guys!
Snacks? Who knew carrots could be so inspiring. Sorry, Kelda, the watermelon just doesn't have it. Love that Dan is acting his age, tomorrow he will be another year older!
Lighting and setting are perfect for some family photos. Here we go, marking the occasion in our usual informal way!
We finish off this hot day with BBQ chicken (careful, it burns easily!) on the dock, and of course, a birthday cake for Dan. Once again the moon rises from behind the trees. What an evening, it's perfect summer on the dock. Thanks, Kelda and kids, for making our anniversary and Dan's birthday special and unforgettable! |
Date: August 28, 2015
Time Start: 2:15 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Jarrell Cove
Cruise To: Swantown
Engine Hours Start: 287
Engine Hours Finish: 289
Weather/Sea Conditions: Rain showers, gray and cool, 60's
Rain started in the night. Luckily the kids have a good tent with a rain fly and stayed dry. They are able to pack up their camp between showers.
Andrew and Annike are staying warm in their PJ's. He manages to find more crabs along the dock before the showers start again. We duck inside the cabin for card games.
Time Start: 2:15 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Jarrell Cove
Cruise To: Swantown
Engine Hours Start: 287
Engine Hours Finish: 289
Weather/Sea Conditions: Rain showers, gray and cool, 60's
Rain started in the night. Luckily the kids have a good tent with a rain fly and stayed dry. They are able to pack up their camp between showers.
Andrew and Annike are staying warm in their PJ's. He manages to find more crabs along the dock before the showers start again. We duck inside the cabin for card games.
Kelda and Connor help Dan pack up the kayaks, and then we get one last photo before our kids head for home. What a great time we have all had!
All is quiet now. There is a heron perched on the point, a few seagulls are around, and we wait on the dock along with two other boats for the tidal currents to be favorable before we, too, head for home.
The cruise home is uneventful on this showery day. And then, suddenly, just as we round Hunter Point, we have Orcas! Dan sees a spash thinking it is a seal, and then realizes the fin is that of a whale. We watch as they swim between Hunter Point and Squaxin Island and continue toward Hope Island. We get a few blurry photos, it is unpredictable to know when and where they will surface.
Today is actually Dan's birthday, we celebrated a day early. The whales are a surprise gift! And so ends another stellar cruise on NORTH STAR. Life could not get any better.
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