Sea Kayak - Tacoma Narrows

08/06/17  –SUN-  SK II – STEILACOOM TO NARROWS BRIDGE W/SHUTTLE – 7 NM

LEADER: LISA A JOHNSON

ASSISTANT LEADER: TERRY JARET

PADDLERS: SARAH LUX, TERRY MEES, TAMI RUST

T&C: .  NARROWS: -3.7 @ 0837, S @ 1200, +4.8@ 1511. STEILACOOM TIDES: 11.7 @0439, -.8 @1136, 13.2 @1853.  NARROWS TIDES: 10.8@0430, -.8 @1114, 12.2 @1844.

SEA STATE: CALM TO RIPPLED,  E 0-5 KTS .  PARTLY CLOUDY THEN CLEARING, TEMPS 51-70S, VISABILITY EXCELLENT

SIGHTED: PORPOISE, SEALS

 All paddlers were on or ahead of schedule meeting at Titlow Beach at 0900.  Tami and Terry J left their cars at the take out and the rest of us loaded up their boats to go to the Steilacoom boat ramp where we paid to park.  We launched a little bit after 1000 and the ride was smooth under slightly cloudy skies.  We stopped to say hello to some porpoises as they circled around.  The wind began a bit and the sun to shine as we rounded Day Island.  Nobody needed to take a break and we decided to continue on to the bridge.  We ferried over to the north side of the cove at Titlow and I went on ahead to check out the current.  There was some nice marine viewing along the shoreline.  Some paddlers went on by us and it was obvious which way was the easiest.  But the group was game and chose to go on until we got under the bridge.  Peel outs were demonstrated in the easy current before turning around and now getting the free ride back to Titlow.  We had a nice lunch at Steamers.  Tami stayed with the boats and the rest of us did the shuttle back to Steilacoom to get our vehicles, return to Titlow to tie on our boats and then leave.  All paddlers performed well with excellent group dynamics.