The following was submitted by the Friends of Moran.
Friends of Moran gathered on Sucia Island Sunday, Oct. 4 to thank volunteers for their time, effort and expertise given to the park this year. The total number of hours given reached 1,000.
The day started with a beautiful morning boat ride provided by Outer Island Expeditions. Upon landing, Friends of Moran Director and Geologist Julia Turney presented the group with a fascinating presentation on the unique geology of Sucia and how the island was formed over time. The group then toured Fossil Bay followed by a wonderful lunch prepared by Juliana Capdeville.
Ted Schlund, Area Manager for Washington State Parks then led the group on an informative hike to the China caves via both Shallow Bay and Echo Bay. The camaraderie among the volunteers, Park staff and directors was evident throughout the day and is a testament to the shared commitment and generous nature of these volunteers.
The day ended with a slow boat ride back to Orcas, which allowed volunteers to get close to Wiggins Head to see the amazing sandstone cliff formations. Thank you Beau and Paul!
The “season of giving” begins in earnest for Friends of Moran each April when volunteers gather to help park staff tidy up the campsites and day use area; groom trails often with the help of the Hardy Hikers and clear off the summit parking lot of winter debris. The summit gift shop opens on May 1 and is operated by a small army of dedicated volunteers who work daily until the end of September, when the shop closes for the season.
All profits generated from the gift shop are used to help facilitate educational outreach, provide emergency phone service, print and distribute trail maps, fund the Moran Creek Hatchery which stocks Cascade Lake with Kokanee and orchestrate the summer intern program at the Summit Learning Center.
The summer season wraps up with the annual Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon that takes place on Sunday during Labor Day weekend. This year, we celebrated 17 years and terrific photos of the athletes can be found on Martin Taylor’s web site: http://www.ednagallery.com/Orcas-Life/Steve-Braun-Triathlons
If you would like to donate your time and talent to any of these worthwhile endeavors, please contact Sandi Talt: info@friendsofmoran.com
A big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers, camp hosts, interns, members, directors and park staff who go the extra mile throughout the year to ensure a safe, educational and positive experience for all who visit our beloved Moran State Park.
