Aug 15-16th
Sparkling water, crabs, and a side of stars!
Despite heat, wildfires, lightning warnings....looking behind the veil, there's a lot to see!
fiyahhhhhhh
If you enjoy the report/newsletter, consider subscribing! It helps me gauge interest in this idea. I also welcome feedback and any comments at the bottom of the post!
The Top Hits
Bioluminescence & Perseid Meteor Shower
The moon has the day shift this weekend! This means it rises during the day and sets at night so you won't be able to see it overnight. This implies great conditions for bioluminescence. I'd head to the Olympic Peninsula, the North or NE areas.
With the Perseid Meteor Shower continuing throughout the weekend, I would prioritize areas on the water with an open view. Only reason I am not promising anything is because most of the state is listing party cloudy overnight for most of the weekend around 30% up to 50% in some areas of the state so I don't want to provide false assurance. But if I've seen anything with going outside as much as I have, sometimes unexpected things happen, especially with the microclimates.
If you kayak out, make sure to have some reflective vest or red light on to signal to others on the water that you are there.
All in all, head to the Puget Sound or Strait of San Juan de Fuca somewhere away from light pollution to see the water sparkle! Try to go somewhere with open views, just incase the sky is clearer than expected. Who doesn't love a beautiful shower of stars! If you live near on the Sound like Seattle, Edmonds, or Bellingham and can't drive far, head to your nearest park on the water that has as much coverage from light and you'll still be able to see it. Have fun!
Hiking
Overall looks like a sunny warm weekend! AQI looks best around the East Side of the Olympic peninsula. Check out some of the cool Wilderness Areas that run along the East side of Olympic National Park and try to stay around the evening and hit up some water connected to the Puget Sound or Strait of San Juan de Fuca to see some bioluminescence.
Saturday Recs: Olympics and South of Rainier
Sunday Recs: Olympics, South and East of Rainier, North Cascades
Take a look at what you might see and what's flourishing right now.
Foraging
It's the last month for many marine areas to go crabbing. For Tacoma-Vashon Island, Marine Area 11, this is actually the last weekend! Salmon is also going strong for many areas! If you're interested in that, check out some of the regulations and rules below.
Corresponding marine areas based on your location
Fish Possession Limits
Crabbing Guide
Crab Guidelines
More Recommendations
Lowkey
With summer weather truly in tow, I think we all feel the pressure to sometimes take advantage of the weather and do something grand. Alternatively, I think there are some great ways to soak up the sun without burning yourself out. Walking on to a ferry and browsing some of the nearby islands on foot is a great way to spend the day. I have always enjoyed a relaxed paddle boarding sesh with some friends or going kayaking near Anacortes. Bowman bay is a great place to rent! Point is, it's great to chill out from time to time if you're feeling overloaded and the AQI is outside your comfort zone.
Whitewater Rafting
This is the final month outfitters are running trips on the Skagit and White Salmon river. If you've been yearning to try it out, no better time than now!
Diving
Abundant images of six gill sharks have been shared online these past few weeks! People have reported overall good visibility of 15 ft+ and not uncommonly more than 20 ft! Head on out and I hope you see a six gill!
