march at jarrell cove & Mc Micken Island State Parks
Date: March 11, 2021
Time Start: 12:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 2:50 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Jarrell Cove State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1272
Engine Hours Finish: 1274
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! Clear, beautiful day, light wind from N., mid 50's
Once again it is our kind of day! Plenty of sun, blue skies, clear mountain views, and nothing on the calendar to keep us away from the water for the next few days. How wonderful! A week ago, all of the routine annual engine maintenance for NORTH STAR was completed, and she is as ready to go as we are.
Here we go again, totally enjoying our views of the gorgeous mountains as we cruise through Budd Bay, make our way through Peale Passage between Squaxin and Harstine Islands, and continue along the west shore of Harstine to Jarrell Cove.
The scenic cruise through Budd Bay to Boston Harbor:
Time Start: 12:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 2:50 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Jarrell Cove State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1272
Engine Hours Finish: 1274
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! Clear, beautiful day, light wind from N., mid 50's
Once again it is our kind of day! Plenty of sun, blue skies, clear mountain views, and nothing on the calendar to keep us away from the water for the next few days. How wonderful! A week ago, all of the routine annual engine maintenance for NORTH STAR was completed, and she is as ready to go as we are.
Here we go again, totally enjoying our views of the gorgeous mountains as we cruise through Budd Bay, make our way through Peale Passage between Squaxin and Harstine Islands, and continue along the west shore of Harstine to Jarrell Cove.
The scenic cruise through Budd Bay to Boston Harbor:
And then the mountain views really capture our attention:
We see only two other boats along the way so are surprised to find the dock busy with boats at Jarrell Cove. There is an empty spot, and we slide NORTH STAR into place. We soon learn that all of the boats are from the Shelton Yacht Club (SYC) and that they are having a St. Patrick's Day gathering of some 18 boats here over the weekend. Boats will be rafted all along the dock. It won't be a problem for us as we are planning on just one night here and another at McMicken Island.
We have enough daylight time for some rowing in the cove followed by a short walk.
Our walk takes us only as far as the outer dock of the park. Why? We suddenly see a large formation of cormorants flying into the cove! Here they come, from all directions. It is time for this spectacle that we have so often witnessed here, and we want to be back at the long dock to watch as the birds circle overhead and land in the nearby trees for the night. Watching them never gets old!
A few more SYC boats have arrived, and the dock is full tonight. Rafting of SYC boats has begun. Tomorrow the dock will be a busy place when the rest of the group arrive!
Date: March 12, 201
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:20 p.m.
Cruise from: Jarrell Cove, Harstine Island
Cruise To: McMicken Island Marine State Park (next to Harstine Island)
Engine Hours Start: 1274
Engine Hours Finish: 1275
Weather/sea conditions: Fog early, clearlng to sun and upper 50's, calm
The fog hangs heavy in Jarrell Cove in the early morning, following a night of below freezing temperatures. By 10 a.m. the skies have cleared, and we need to break out our sun glasses. We enjoy chatting with the SYC members, sharing stories and learning about the yacht club activities. We are given a green derby hat filled with fun stuff for celebrating St. Patrick's Day (like getting a goody bag at a party!) and even invited to join them. All of the SYC participants have had both doses of vaccine for COVID-19, and so have we. It is the first time in over a year that we have been around so many people and able to chat this way, and does it ever feel good!
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:20 p.m.
Cruise from: Jarrell Cove, Harstine Island
Cruise To: McMicken Island Marine State Park (next to Harstine Island)
Engine Hours Start: 1274
Engine Hours Finish: 1275
Weather/sea conditions: Fog early, clearlng to sun and upper 50's, calm
The fog hangs heavy in Jarrell Cove in the early morning, following a night of below freezing temperatures. By 10 a.m. the skies have cleared, and we need to break out our sun glasses. We enjoy chatting with the SYC members, sharing stories and learning about the yacht club activities. We are given a green derby hat filled with fun stuff for celebrating St. Patrick's Day (like getting a goody bag at a party!) and even invited to join them. All of the SYC participants have had both doses of vaccine for COVID-19, and so have we. It is the first time in over a year that we have been around so many people and able to chat this way, and does it ever feel good!
In spite of the warm invitation to stay, we are ready to head to McMicken. We get a friendly send off, and make our way around the north end of Harstine Island to McMicken. Just off the north end of Harstine, we are treated to the arching backs of a group of porpoises, a fleeting glimpse of the wonderful life that teems in our waters.
There are no boats at McMicken on this perfect almost spring day. NORTH STAR gets tied to one of the two buoys that are next to the island. Once again we are in a favorite spot, one that we love to return to again and again.
There are no boats at McMicken on this perfect almost spring day. NORTH STAR gets tied to one of the two buoys that are next to the island. Once again we are in a favorite spot, one that we love to return to again and again.
The tide is incoming, but there is still enough exposed beach for a nice walk. The tombolo reaching out from McMicken towards Harstine is rapidly disappearing, so we won't be walking across it to Harstine today. Rowing ashore, we notice how clear the water is. And on shore, there is plenty for these two beach combers to enjoy. Shells, rocks, barnacles, even logs that look like sharks and other critters catch our eye. And, we have these beaches all to ourselves!
We bask in the warmth of the sun in the cockpit of NORTH STAR, row the dinghy on the smooth water, do a bit of boat cleaning. It's been a terrific day, and it has a beautiful ending, too.
Date: March 13, 2021
Time Start: 2:20 p.m.
Time Finish: 4:30 p.m.
Cruise From: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1276
Engine Hours Finish: 1278
Weather/sea conditions: Wispy white clouds, blue skies, warming to 60 degrees!
Morning starts cool, but the sun soon warms us here at McMicken. The captain fixes his trademark pancakes to energize us for more beach explorations. Today the tide is exposing the tombolo all the way from McMicken to Harstine. Dan wears his boots so that he can wade through sections that haven't yet been exposed, as we are a bit ahead of the tide on our visit. Once again, we find plenty to enjoy on these beaches that teem with life. The amount of shellfish debris alone testifies to the richness of this environment. And, there are lots of birds that forage here, including the large number of gulls that gather along the tombolo.
Time Start: 2:20 p.m.
Time Finish: 4:30 p.m.
Cruise From: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1276
Engine Hours Finish: 1278
Weather/sea conditions: Wispy white clouds, blue skies, warming to 60 degrees!
Morning starts cool, but the sun soon warms us here at McMicken. The captain fixes his trademark pancakes to energize us for more beach explorations. Today the tide is exposing the tombolo all the way from McMicken to Harstine. Dan wears his boots so that he can wade through sections that haven't yet been exposed, as we are a bit ahead of the tide on our visit. Once again, we find plenty to enjoy on these beaches that teem with life. The amount of shellfish debris alone testifies to the richness of this environment. And, there are lots of birds that forage here, including the large number of gulls that gather along the tombolo.
We go from the tombolo to the rock covered beaches of McMicken, taking in views of Mt. Rainier. Eroding banks on the island are a constant supply rocks for these cobbled beaches.
We find a bit of spring in the meadow of the park!
We take time for a bit of day dreaming before returning to NORTH STAR. It's been pretty wonderful to have this island all to ourselves!
It's time to cruise home. Clouds are building, and tomorrow the rains will be back. But, we have a hunch there will be a lot more cruising days ahead as the days continue to lengthen and warm!