The trip started from the public small craft launching ramp, on Vashon Islands, North End ferry terminal. after a quick unload early in the morning before the ferry trafic gets to bad. Some people park at the long-term ferry terminal parking at the top of the hill. We paddled the two mile crossing on passive seas and light rain, only taking us 22 minutes but coming back was a different story indeed.

Miller Time in front of his yak “Black Orca” Blake Island in background Launching from the beach on Vashon.

The day before, three buddies and I prepared for the trip by attending a all day kayak training course for the whole group. The course took place on Quart Master Harbor, light rain was falling and a fog hung in the trees and patches over the bay, a typical late September morning. Doug at Puget Sound Kayak Company on Vashon was teaching the class and was able to instruct Miller Time and I in advanced techniques while P-Buddy and Boogie Man focused on re-entry and landings in large ocean swells.

Blevin’s rental yak was not quite water tight.

On the far side of the island is the Tillicum Village Northwest Coast Native American Cultural Center serviced by Seattle passenger ferry, they offer an Indian Potlatch including, authentic carved masks of Orcas, Ravens and a clan of other creatures incorporated in to traditional native dance and story telling. The evening is toped off with a Salmon bake, similar in feel to a Hawaiian Luau, and about as pricy.

So we made are own Potlatch baby. We had a great time even brought the shakers and guitars, party on Dudes!

It was a perfect day for the four mile detour to the city of Manchester for beer and ice. Boogie Man and I on the beach at Manchester city park next to the pier, Blake Island off in the distance.

This picture tells the whole story, choppy seas, high winds and torrential rain all mixed in with opposing tides. What took us 20 minuets coming across to the island took us over a hour to get back.

The buds after the long and dangers crossing. Me, Boogie Man, Blevin, and Miller Time in his red Australian outback hat, Later lost at Salmon River Cascade Head, Oregon, But thats a nother story.