Sea Kayak - Fox Island Circumnavigation

SIGHTED: BROWN HEADED MERGANSERS, SCOTERS, BUFFLEHEADS, GBH, EAGLES, SEALS, DOG

 Everybody arrived in time on the Fox Island boat launch in weak sunshine and cold temperatures. After a huddle we launched about 0915 and headed east under the bridge.  We headed over to circle around Tanglewood Island with a tail wagging dog smiling at us from both sides of the dock that we went under.  Mt Ranier was clearly visible and there was little activity other than seals peeping out at us from time to time as we made our way around Fox Point.  As we got out at the  WWTA campground point at approx 1115 we heard what sounded like thunder that repeated now and then.  There also sounded like shots occasionally but we couldn’t tell what it was or where it was coming from.  It didn’t last long.  It was my mistake that I didn’t make it clear that this was not a lunch break but everybody was cheerfully back in their boats about 15 minutes later.  We caught a nice current that pushed us on towards Gibson Point.  I was watching four cormorants airing their armpits to the left as we approached the marker when they suddenly took off and at the same time a noise came from on the right.  I looked over in time to see a load of dirt collapsing from the bluff above our heads, creating an avalanche that stopped several feet above the beach.

 We continued on up the south side of the island and at noon a count was taken with the decision to continue on before stopping for lunch.  Everybody kindly agreed to stop for a break for me to stretch my aching leg.  (I am recovering from a full knee replacement).   Although we all had aspirin nobody had any ibuprofen.  After about 5 minutes we continued on as the rain began.  We arrived at the spit on the west end of the island approximately 1315.  Alice had spotted a picnic table pulled up under the shelter area so we sat there for a quick lunch.  We had less than a mile to get back to the boat launch arriving at 1415.  Good teamwork was applied to get the boats up and loaded on our cars. A post trip huddle yielded no complaints and exchanged thanks. I am especially grateful to all for the kind assistance and patience with me getting out of my boat! Only Alice opted to go with me to the warm and cozy Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor for a hot meal afterwards.  All paddlers performed well with excellent group dynamics.