Getting Wild on the West Side

A popular Vashon Adventures kayaking route is up the west side of the island through the Colvos Passage. Departing from Lisabuela Park and covering roughly 8.5 miles north to the Vashon Ferry Dock, it is a great trip for those looking for a little more adventure. A variety of sea mammals have been observed including orcas, sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor porpoise, river otters and seals. On this trip for 6 guests, we had a huge male California Sea Lion rise just feet from the boats before this lunch stop at Fern Cove. What a Day!

Colvos Passage notes:

1. The name Colvos was selected by Captain Charles Wilkes in 1841 during the United States Exploring Expedition to honor George Colvocoresses, a midshipman for the expedition.

2. The house at Fern Cove once belonged to Dr. Belle Baldwin, who became the first woman physician in the state in 1912.

Bald Eagles

     Bald Eagles are one of the most recognizable birds in the United States. While they do not thrive in many places in the USA, we do not have that problem here on Vashon Island. In a study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife there were a reported 840 occupied nests in the state in 2005 (Stinson Et. Al, 2007). Though their numbers are considered stable now, they were not always this strong. In the 1950’s the Bald Eagle population in Washington was completely wiped out due to a harmful chemical pesticide called DDT. Luckily, the use of DDT was banned country wide in 1973 and the population of Bald Eagles began to steadily grow. By the end of the 1980’s there were only 104 mating pairs in the state. Compare that to the 840 in 2005 and you can see how well they have bounced back. 

Photo Courtesy of Caroline Matter.

      Vashon Island is a premier location for mating bald eagles to make their large, 1,000 lbs nests. In the same study conducted by Stinson Et. Al (2007) They found that 97% of bald eagle nests were within 3,000 ft of a large body of water. This is because they are opportunity hunters who often fish in the waters around the sound. They are also known to be the bullies of the sky. Due to their large size, weighing in often around 10 lbs and boasting a 6 ft wingspan, they often steal food from other scavenging birds who do the hard work for them. It is amazing to see these birds soaring above our heads here on the island and hopefully their numbers continue to stay steady so we can experience the majesty of these birds.

For more info on the Washing Department of Fish & Wildlife’s study you can visit: https://www.eopugetsound.org/science-review/10-bald-eagles

Dockton Docks

One of our favorite spots on the Island, Dockton Park offers an amazing place to have a picnic with the family or get your toes wet in Quartermaster Harbor. However, did you know that it used to be far less peaceful than it is now? Just down the way from where the dock is now, Quartermaster Harbor was home to one of the largest dry docks in all of the Puget Sound. The dry dock was 325 feet by 102 feet and was able to carry and hold multiple large ships at once. Though built and housed in the harbor since 1892, it eventually was moved to Seattle in 1909.

     At the same time, the Martinolich Shipping Company was building boats in Dockton. Their company started operations in Dockton in 1905m, and they were one of the largest employers for Island men at the time. They built and launched many ships successfully, but one of the most famous stories on Vashon was of one of their failed launches. After construction, they launched a boat by the name of Florence J. Almost immediately the ship tipped over and sank into the water. Though the boat was recovered, the story still lives on. The company eventually ceased operations in Dockton in 1929, but they continued making boats elsewhere until 1974. 

List of boats made by the Martinolich Shipbuilding Company: 

• http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/small/martinolich.htm

One of Vashon’s Mascots

The seal density in south Puget Sound is among the highest in the world, and they are the most commonly seen marine mammal in the region. They are present year-round and most travel less than 60 miles from their birth site in their lifetime; Therefore, the seals surrounding Vashon Island are genetically distinct from those located in the northern Puget Sound and Hood Canal. They have excellent eyesight in and out of the water and their whiskers are capable of feeling vibrations in water movement to detect both predators and prey. Local seals can dive to a depth of more than 300 feet but typical dives are less than 150 feet, lasting between 4 and 6 minutes. Most hunting will occur within a few miles of their haul out site where we see them out of water. Locally pupping occurs between late June and September making for good pup watching through the summer paddling season.  

Learn more at: https://www.sealsitters.org/marine_mammals/harbor_seals.html

We Are Moving!

You read that right, we are moving! We are excited to announce our move into the Kimmco Building across from Snapdragon. We have loved our time in Vashon Village and want to thank them for years of wonderful business. In addition, we want to thank everybody who visited us in our old location and helped our business grow. 

      Looking into the future we are elated about the opportunity to become close business partners with Camp Colvos, who are close friends of ours. Furthermore, we are very eager to share with you some of the new experiences this year will bring. Including, but not limited to, more personalized biking and kayaking tours, glamping, and a renewed sense of the importance of being outside. We hope that you can visit us soon and Play on Vashon! 

Our Neighbor to the North

Interesting Fact:

President Bill Clinton held the first official Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting on Blake Island.

Now a beautiful state park, Blake Island originally was home to a campsite for the Suquamish Tribe. Furthermore, it is believed to be the birthplace of Chief Sealth, for whom the city of Seattle is named. The island was not recorded by European settlers until 1792, and it was not officially named until 1841 after an officer in the United States Exploring Expedition. Eventually, it was renamed Trimble Island after a millionaire who bought the island in 1917. That millionaire, William Trimble, built his estate there and lived with his family until 1929 when the family moved back to Seattle following the death of his wife. Interestingly, the Trimble family allowed a campfire girls camp to use the island starting in 1920. The name of that camp was Camp Sealth, which now resides on Vashon! The island was eventually purchased by Washington State in 1959 and was turned into the state park that we know today.

For more information about the island visit: https://www.historylink.org/File/5491