Sea Kayak - Fox Island Circumnavigation

10/23/16 -SUN –SK III—TITLOW BEACH AROUND FOX ISLAND AND RETURN.  APPROX 14 NM. /  LEADER: LISA A JOHNSON  / PADDLERS: BRUCE DURHAM, NELSON HAMRE, SARAH LUX, BRIAN PREDMORE, LAURA PREDMORE / TIDES/CURRENTS: NARROWS SOUTH END +04.17 @ 0924, S @ 1302, -2.44 @ 1633 /  CONDITIONS: SEA CALM, VARIABLE SLIGHT BREEZE, MOSTLY SUNNY,  TEMPS 55-60,  VISABILITY EXCELLENT / SIGHTED: CORMORANTS, SCOTERS, EAGLES, BROWN HEADED MERGANSERS, PORPOISES, SEALS, GREAT BLUE HERON

 All paddlers were on time and we launched at approx 0945 and headed west across the channel in quiet water.  About mid channel we stopped briefly and were soon surrounded by a group of porpoises.  We continued on in the brisk current, and moved closer to the east side of Fox about 20 minutes later.  Nobody opted for a break and we continued non-stop up the pretty south side to the lunch point at the spit just past the WWTA site on the west end of the island, arriving at 1215.  There are restroom facilities there and we sat in the sunshine on a log to eat and after about 45 minutes.  It was flowing about 1 knot underneath the bridge and continued to build.  After a brief discussion the group decided to go to the north side or stay mid channel rather than follow the Fox Island shoreline, seeing more seals and porpoises along the way.  Nobody opted to get out at the point before crossing the channel.  We did so using a dead east heading, landing on target at Titlow on a pleasantly higher tide than when we left at 1500.  Three paddlers opted to have dinner at my house afterwards.  A really nice paddle on a beautiful day with lovely fall colors.  All paddlers performed well with excellent group dynamics.