Jacqui, Howie, Irene & Paul M. and I met at Haserot Beach for our paddle to Old Mission Point. With a very light NW breeze, calm seas, and clear blue skies, we hoped we could locate the shipwreck,
Metropolis, a schooner carrying pig iron and lumber which sank during a snowstorm in November, 1886. Jacqui had approximate GPS coordinates, and with the help of Google Maps, she led the way and was able to locate part of the wreck in about 8 feet of water. She found it! I had read previously that the remainder of the wreck was out at a depth of about 120 feet - too dark to be seen from above. We joined her and had a fun time exploring and photographing it from our kayaks. I had an old waterproof pocket camera, so I jumped in and tried for some close-up shots. The water was warm and clear. A few other folks joined us via power boat and a swim from shore.
We then made our way past the Old Mission Lighthouse, which, per usual, was crowded with tourists. We found a quiet spot on the beach west of the lighthouse for our picnic lunch. A Ring-billed Gull, a.k.a. "Pest," made its acquaintance, and was not at all shy about begging for food scraps. While we were enjoying our lunch, we noticed what appeared to be a white mini-island offshore from the point. None of us remembered seeing it in prior years, so we packed up the kayaks and headed over to explore. We figured that the last winter's storms had created it among the shoals and sandbar. We discovered that the white coloring was due to piles and piles of quagga/zebra mussel shells. 😬
Our return trip to Haserot was a pleasant, uneventful paddle. Afterwards, J, H, I, and P went to Buchan's for ice cream. 'Wish I could have joined them!
Pics by Jacqui, Irene, and Kathleen tell our story best!
Paul and Irene
Jacqui, having found the shipwreck
Attempting to swim DOWN with a PFD on...
Graceful paddle float re-entry...
Irene
Paul
Howie
OMP, Kathleen
Lunch time! Irene, Paul, Howie, and Jacqui
"Pest"
Irene
Jacqui
Heading back: Howie, Kathleen, & Jacqui
Paul and Kathleen approaching "Quagga Mussel Island"
The "island"
