Magic Moments - Adventures of Glen and Liz: June 20 - Day 51 Heading toward Warren Island

June 20 - Day 51 Heading toward Warren Island

The sky was gray this morning, and air cooler. Then it rained a bit, then the rain stopped and the sky got brighter but not sunny. The flotilla headed out toward Warren Island. The hope is to start doing some fishing. We spoke to some other friends up here (they are closer to Sitka) who have been catching Kings (King Salmon). With Steve, John, and Tom, the dedicated fisherman in the group now, there will definitely be more fishing time.

The trip over included a couple whale sightings, lots of sea otters, and a lot of waves and rollers. NOT Liz water! I hunkered down in my special spot with blankets and my ss bracelet on. The lamp in our salon took a leap to the floor again as did several other things. There is a new lamp or at least lamp shade on the list for acquisition before the next trip. I survived another crossing but wanted some beach time to try to stop the waves in my head.

Warren island is not protected from the ocean waves/swells/rollers but it has a huge sandy and rocky beach for exploring and treasure hunting. Glen put out a stern anchor to try to keep the big boats facing the ocean so we took the waves at a better angle. Would not want them hitting from the side with three boats tied together. Once anchored we piled people into the jetboat and went to shore. Getting to the beach was an interesting proposition as it was a shallow beach with waves. Waves were crashing into the back of the boat at this point as well as onto the shore.

Michelle and I got piggy-back rides from Glen and Tom to get us to shore or at least into water that was not over the top of our boots. Thanks guys.

Three of the guys took the boat back out and over to another “calmer” part of the beach by some large rocks and anchored it. Apparently the boat had quite a bit of water in it so they zipped around to allow the water to empty before anchoring.

Beach report – beautiful rocks of every size shape and color, some even camouflage colored. There were floats and lots of other flotsam (aka debris), from small pieces of plastic to large barrels and even a freezer, or what was left of one. One large yellow ball float and a medium black one, some colorful rocks, some large clam shells including razor clams, a laundry basket (Steve seems to like those) and a couple interesting chunks of wood – one looking like a bicycle seat all were gathered. Zero plastic straws were found, but tons of plastic water bottles. Remember it is okay to sell water in those plastic bottles, but it is not lawful to sell or serve beverages with plastic straws, due to the huge number of straws on the beaches back home.

Camo rock

Michelle practicing her balance beam routine

Oval float – first one seen, but unfortunately smashed on the other side

There were footprints on the beach, human, dog, and some unknown around the beach so humans had been here recently. Confirmed by remains of two beach fires still in ring shape.

Back out to the big boats that were bouncing around. It will be a bouncy night. Sleep with bracelet on tonight.

Late afternoon early evening included a great whale show out in front. One big humpback feeding and following his mouthfuls around the bay. Lots of tail slapping, and then surfacing with mouth wide open scooping up dinner. He came fairly close to the boats a few times. This went on for well over an hour. But since it was raining steadily most of us went back inside. Later after dinner and during our movie night (a Warren Miller ski movie tonight) the whale was spotted behind us, between the boats and shore still doing his feeding thing. There was what I would call big rain and heavy fog.