McMicken Overnight
Date: April 2, 2016
Time Start: 4:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 6:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown, Olympia
Cruise To: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Engine hours start: 367
Engine hours finish: 369
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, upper 60's, breeze
We heave a big sigh of contentment as we are finally back on NORTH STAR after almost two months of no cruising. March was one wet very month, close to nine inches of rain in Olympia. We managed to escape to California for nine days of sun, family and friends - and more rain there! Dan was lucky enough to have three days on Puget Sound aboard the sailboat "Carlyn" as part of Salish Sea Expeditions, acting as a chaperone to our two grandsons. They were part of a group learning basic sailing skills as well as performing some basic science with plankton studies. Now, April is here, the sun is out, and we have a window to get back on the water for a brief overnight. Yahoo!
Schools of salmon fingerlings or possibly herring are thick in the water around NORTH STAR before we leave the marina. We are headed out late in the day, and we pass several sailboats heading back to port on this breezy day. The Olympics are hazy in the distance, the sky is clear blue, and the water rippled from the breeze. Trees on shore are leafing out. The big leaf maples in particular stand out with their golden green blossoms and are filling the air with their profuse pollen. Mt. Rainier looks like it is floating on clouds.
Time Start: 4:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 6:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown, Olympia
Cruise To: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Engine hours start: 367
Engine hours finish: 369
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, upper 60's, breeze
We heave a big sigh of contentment as we are finally back on NORTH STAR after almost two months of no cruising. March was one wet very month, close to nine inches of rain in Olympia. We managed to escape to California for nine days of sun, family and friends - and more rain there! Dan was lucky enough to have three days on Puget Sound aboard the sailboat "Carlyn" as part of Salish Sea Expeditions, acting as a chaperone to our two grandsons. They were part of a group learning basic sailing skills as well as performing some basic science with plankton studies. Now, April is here, the sun is out, and we have a window to get back on the water for a brief overnight. Yahoo!
Schools of salmon fingerlings or possibly herring are thick in the water around NORTH STAR before we leave the marina. We are headed out late in the day, and we pass several sailboats heading back to port on this breezy day. The Olympics are hazy in the distance, the sky is clear blue, and the water rippled from the breeze. Trees on shore are leafing out. The big leaf maples in particular stand out with their golden green blossoms and are filling the air with their profuse pollen. Mt. Rainier looks like it is floating on clouds.
We are shocked, there are no other boats at McMicken on this lovely spring Saturday! The buoys are empty! We have our pick, and tie on in front of the park. The tombolo is exposed as is the rocky beach. The tide is almost at its low point for the day. We love this place, love having it to ourselves!
We have dinner aboard in the lingering twilight, and then the sky fills with stars. The planet Jupiter and the star Sirus are the brightest and first to appear, followed by the emergence of twinkling constellations. It is a beautiful night on the water.
Date: April 3, 2016
Time Start: 1:45 p.m.
Time Finish: 4:55 p.m.
Cruise From: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Cruise To: Swantown, Olympia
Engine hours start: 369
Engine hours finish: 372
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, clear, calm day, low 70's
We have a beautiful and calm morning here at McMicken, the sun warming us, and water reflecting the shorelines. A few geese are honking and exploring on shore. This world is still ours alone, no other boats arrived in the night. Temps dropped into the low 40's overnight and today is expected to be near 70.
Morning is perfect for a walk around the island with its cobbled, rocky beaches. Erosion has caused trees along the periphery to fall, making for an obstacle course in places. Shell debris, especially from butter clams, is plentiful, breaking down into bits of white. The edge of the marsh area oozes onto the beach.
Date: April 3, 2016
Time Start: 1:45 p.m.
Time Finish: 4:55 p.m.
Cruise From: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Cruise To: Swantown, Olympia
Engine hours start: 369
Engine hours finish: 372
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, clear, calm day, low 70's
We have a beautiful and calm morning here at McMicken, the sun warming us, and water reflecting the shorelines. A few geese are honking and exploring on shore. This world is still ours alone, no other boats arrived in the night. Temps dropped into the low 40's overnight and today is expected to be near 70.
Morning is perfect for a walk around the island with its cobbled, rocky beaches. Erosion has caused trees along the periphery to fall, making for an obstacle course in places. Shell debris, especially from butter clams, is plentiful, breaking down into bits of white. The edge of the marsh area oozes onto the beach.
We hear the wild sounds of gulls, crows and geese, the only birds in sight, and the tombolo is only partially exposed. A group of kayakers easily pass over the portion that is underwater. A big chunk of old styrofoam is loaded into the dinghy, our only souvenir, to be taken home for disposal.
We have time on this beautiful, peaceful Sunday for some basic boat cleaning and lunch. We hear the shrill sound of an eagle. Sure enough, it comes soaring into the nearby treetops and finds a high perch. And then, it is time to say farewell to McMicken and head for home.
Following the west side of Harstene, we get glimpses of the Olympics as we cruise on beautiful expanses of flat calm water. We see hardly another boat out on this stunning day, and have a smooth cruise home.
Another stellar cruise on NORTH STAR comes to an end.
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