mc micken overnight
Date: May 27, 2020
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 2 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1162
Engine Hours Finish: 1164
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, breeze, 80 degrees, beautiful day!
With pretty perfect weather, we are setting out on an overnight cruise, still maintaining distancing with COVID-19. And we have another super day on NORTH STAR, first slowly cruising in our tranquil and scenic South Sound waters, and then at anchor in the cove next to McMicken Island.
Our scenic cruise:
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 2 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Engine Hours Start: 1162
Engine Hours Finish: 1164
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, breeze, 80 degrees, beautiful day!
With pretty perfect weather, we are setting out on an overnight cruise, still maintaining distancing with COVID-19. And we have another super day on NORTH STAR, first slowly cruising in our tranquil and scenic South Sound waters, and then at anchor in the cove next to McMicken Island.
Our scenic cruise:
The beautiful setting at McMicken Island today, with the tombolo exposed by low tide:
We aren't going ashore today. Months ago we purchased a new inflatable kayak, and today it is getting splashed for the first time. We take turns, learning how to get in and out from the swim step, adjusting the seat back, deciding which of our two paddles we prefer, etc. All goes well, we are happy with the purchase, and we didn't get wet! We have two old inflatables that lacked seat backs, and they didn't track well. This one does, no more waddling back and forth as we paddle! Maybe a second new kayak will have to go on our wish list!
As always, we just enjoy being in this special place. Evening paddles, one in the kayak and one in the dinghy, are so pleasant and peaceful. The tombolo is now underwater with the tide high, and McMicken really is a separate island. Dan takes the first long paddle with the new kayak, circumnavigating the island.
We are still distancing because of COVID-19, but it is great to have neighbor boats on the water here, everyone doing the same thing. Ten boats are here for the night.
Date: May 28, 2020
Time Start: 6:15 p.m.
Time Finish: 8:25 p.m.
Cruise From: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1164
Engine Hours Finish: 1166
Weather/sea conditions: Lightly scattered clouds with blue skies, sunny, warm again, upper 70's
We are awakened in the night with loud thuds and NORTH STAR rocking. With dark skies, no moon, I arise to investigate. All of the noise is coming from the stern. As I approach, a seal slides off the swim step into the water, but then immediately clambers aboard again. I can just barely make out its shape on the swim step, its tail at one end and head lifting up to look at me from the other end. I shoo it away. About an hour later, it is back. This time the captain sleeps through the commotion, so I chase it away once more. It probably thinks it had a great place for a nap. Wonder if it rocked any other boats!
We have another warm day, and our friends of over fifty years, Joel and Sarah, motor over from their home on nearby Stretch Island for a "distance" visit. We are so excited to see them and have a good visit, catching up on our lives and the months of isolation. They stay aboard their boat, floating next to us. We have found a way to both socialize and distance!
Time Start: 6:15 p.m.
Time Finish: 8:25 p.m.
Cruise From: McMicken Island Marine State Park
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1164
Engine Hours Finish: 1166
Weather/sea conditions: Lightly scattered clouds with blue skies, sunny, warm again, upper 70's
We are awakened in the night with loud thuds and NORTH STAR rocking. With dark skies, no moon, I arise to investigate. All of the noise is coming from the stern. As I approach, a seal slides off the swim step into the water, but then immediately clambers aboard again. I can just barely make out its shape on the swim step, its tail at one end and head lifting up to look at me from the other end. I shoo it away. About an hour later, it is back. This time the captain sleeps through the commotion, so I chase it away once more. It probably thinks it had a great place for a nap. Wonder if it rocked any other boats!
We have another warm day, and our friends of over fifty years, Joel and Sarah, motor over from their home on nearby Stretch Island for a "distance" visit. We are so excited to see them and have a good visit, catching up on our lives and the months of isolation. They stay aboard their boat, floating next to us. We have found a way to both socialize and distance!
After afternoon kayak paddles, we head to shore. The tombolo is once again a bridge between McMicken and Harstine Islands, and we take advantage of the low tide for beach explorations, this time heading to the shores along Harstine Island (also state park land). Lots of photos get taken!
We share a happy hour and early dinner aboard NORTH STAR before a quiet evening cruise home.
We are so grateful to be able to get out on the water!
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