March 28 Sea Kayak Rich Passage to Orchard Rocks

[tomhenning]

Two separate groups (6 and 4 = 10 folks total), departing from Evergreen Park and Bainbridge Island, joined up in Sinclair inlet before starting out of Rich Passage toward Puget Sound. Wind and rain forecast to steadily increase (to a max of 20 kts) throughout the morning and mid day. Initial plan was to proceed out to Orchard Rocks on the north side of Rich Passage while winds were at their lowest, and proceed home via the south side, in the lee of the shoreline while winds were peaking. Changed the planned lunch stop to manchester State Park to get out of the wind and provide more shelter.
Paddled out along the coast in 1 foot (occasionally 1 1/2) seas off the starboard beam - and occasional ferry wakes - toward Fort Ward. Stayed out of the channel to avoid ferry traffic, and to check out the shoreline, but still rode a bit of current outbound. Had some good sun breaks along the way too, which quieted things down a bit now and then.
Arrived at Fort Ward about 1 hour prior to slack tide so to buy time, take a break, and regroup troops (and munch on some of Shirley McBride's famous zuchinni bread), we decided to stop at Fort Ward. At this point, winds and squall lines were increasing in intensity, so (and since they started paddling earlier than the Evergreen Group) the Braindridge Group departed back toward BI. We assume they made it back OK!
Started to paddle toward Orchard Rock in a beautiful sun break. Saw all of the usual harbor seals on the rocks and the salmon kicking up in the pen, but I think the cool thing was that the standard eagle perched on the pole in the middle of the rocks this time was a Golden Eagle instead of a Bald eagle. Seeing alot more of thse lately, and that is cool. Also saw a good many harlequin Ducks and Double-Creasted Cormorants (my perennial favorite).
Just as we hit the rocks, a squall line blew up around the corner from Blake Island so we formed up, checked for ferry traffic, and made a bee line toward Manchester State Park. It was raining hard by the time we got there, but the torpedo manufacturing building made for a dry, relatively warm, no wind, and neat place to enjoy lunch.
Once the sun broke out again we had a VERY calm and warm paddle along the coast from Manchester to Fisherman's Pier (and a good listen to The Vinyl Cafe from Gander, Newfoundland). By then the wind had built up again as we crossed the pretty hefty and exposed windy fetch from there back to the entrance to the Narrows. Arms and backs were tired but we eased back into the narrows and enjoyed a nice calm (wind in the back) current assist back to Evergreen Park.
All in all, a good day - @ 11miles, 3 1/2 hours on the water, and some interesting winds and currents (but nothing too dicey). But Charlie Michel put on a varsity showing, for a relative newcomer to the sport, none the less. Hope to see you on the water again soon.
Sorry, but noone brought a camera - too bad.

Tom Henning