Fox Island Circumnavigation

PADDLERS: JOAN HAYS, ANDREA HIX, BRIAN HOLLANDER, ROB PIZANTI, THERESE PIZANTE, BILL SHECKET, KATIE WALTER
TIDES/CURRENTS: NARROWS SOUTH END +4.44 @ 1144, S @ 1507.
CONDITIONS: SEA CALM, LITTLE OR NO BREEZE, CLOUDY WITH SOME GRADUAL CLEARING , TEMPS 60-70S, VISABILITY GOOD
SIGHTED: SEALS, PORPOISES, CORMORANTS, SCOTERS, GREAT BLUE HERON

Our huddle started slightly late at 0845. The tide was very low which contributed to the late launch at approx 0930. We headed due west and then paused mid channel to gauge the current and observe 4-6 porpoises nearby before making a hard left to head straight to Fox Point, arriving by 1000. Nobody opted to stop until we pulled out at the back corner of a small cove just east of the bridge at 1030 for a 45 minute break. We then had only about a mile to reach the recent Cascadia Marine Trails addition at the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park on the northern tip of the island. There are 3 picnic tables (we didn’t eat there) and were told by a gentleman posting signs that there are now 2 campsites with room for 4 tents each. (Contact wwta@wwta.org for more info.) We waited for the current to shift before setting out about 1345. We arrived at the east side pier at the public park (which also offers camping) at 1500. We waited another 30 minutes for the ebb current to build before heading out to be met in mid channel by the porpoises! Then it was a hard left again and we avoided the shoreline back eddy to ride the current back to Titlow Beach. The tide was way up and it was a very short and easy carry for the takeout at approx 0615. One paddler decided to return home and the rest of us had a post paddle dinner. All paddlers kept up the moderate pace and performed well with excellent group dynamics.