By: Avery, Aiden, Elle, and Chloe H

Our day started with a van ride to Cattle Point to conduct algae surveys on the behalf of Dr. Katy Dobkowski. Working in groups of 4, we trekked across beds of seaweeds and clamored over algae covered rocks. Our groups were hard at work cataloging the density of different species of algae. All the data will add to an important data base, and aid Dr. Dobkowski in her research.

We all enjoyed the views and abundance of organisms at Cattle Point.

After gathering data on the different species of algae, we headed back to the dorm for our long anticipated debate. We were split into pro and con groups for each of the two topics: Island Marble Butterfly conservation, and the implementation of OPALCO’s pilot tidal energy project. After a stressful ten minutes of last minute preparation, impassioned debaters argued their side. The pro side won for the Island Marble Butterflies, while the con side won for OPALCO’s tidal project.

After a quick lunch of leftovers, we hurried back into the vans and drove to False Bay. When we got there, we were introduced to Beth Tate, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife employee. At False Bay, we learned about the invasive fish, the Northern Pike, and sustainable ways to preserve and restore salmon spawning locations, as well as the complexities of renewable energy sources.

We explored the beach, which was littered with stinky algae, for around an hour, before piling back into the vans and heading back to the dorms for some project work time.

Tonight we are having Aisha Rashid, a member of the SeaDoc Society over as our dinner guest, and then heading back out for a final night of karaoke!

By: Avery, Chloe, Aiden, Elle

We woke up bright and early Thursday morning to begin the long journey kayaking to Jones Island. We met up with the kayak instructors from Crystal Seas Kayaking at Jackson Beach around 9 a.m.

While kayaking up Puget Sound around San Juan Island, we stopped halfway through ro eat lunch at a beautiful scenic beach. From the beach, we could finally see Jones Island.

Once we had arrived at Jones Island, we quickly unloaded the boats and set up camp in a large field close to the shore. After getting settled, some of us went on to explore the island, while some of us went down to the beach to collect rocks. Everyone reconvened for dinner, which consisted of amazing tacos cooked by our kayak leads. After dinner the whole group walked to the west side of the island, which was blissfully sheltered from the howling wind, to watch the sunset.

The evening was concluded by delightful strawberry pound cake dessert and some students sleeping outside under the stars, with the deer and the raccoons watching from the shadows.

On day two of our kayaking adventure, we were jolted awake to the sounds of alarm clocks, and the blaring sound of Eye of the Tiger playing in the background. The current and wind were supposed to be against us on the journey back, and so we had to stumble out of our sleeping bags to pack up our tents and set up our kayaks at 5:30 in the morning (and of course to grab a cup of tea or coffee, and a delicious breakfast of granola and yogurt). We left Jones Island shortly: packed up, and mostly awake. The music playing from Bryce and Max’s kayak gave us a boost, and despite battling rough currents and strong winds, we arrived at Turn Island around noon. There we ate a delicious lunch of pasta salad and enjoyed the fan-favorite pastime of skipping rocks. As the day heated up, the sun left swathes of sunburns and tans across our noses, scalps, and hands. Several people took advantage of the gathering heat, and swam in the chilly water.

The final destination after lunch was a thin strip of rocky shoreline, just a short paddle across the channel from Turn Island. We clamored out of our boats, eager to be back on solid ground and to say goodbye to the spray skirts (thick, skirt-like pieces of waterproof fabric) that kept us dry while kayaking. We carried the kayaks up a short dirt path lined with thickets of blackberries, where they were loaded onto two boat trailers. Although we were all aching for dry clothes, clean bathrooms, and warm showers, we were incredibly grateful for the kayaking journey.