![About 16 nautical miles, winding through the heart of the low-lying islands in a USFWS Refuge.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948516.zAyrCUIl.jpg) About 16 nautical miles, winding through the heart of the low-lying islands in a USFWS Refuge. |
![Bruce and Terry readying themselves at Aldrich Point. Max. tide](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948058.uLk57PoY.jpg) Bruce and Terry readying themselves at Aldrich Point. Max. tide |
![Belinda in foreground, loading a borrowed Osprey Std. boat.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948061.CrFPibfO.jpg) Belinda in foreground, loading a borrowed Osprey Std. boat. |
![The threesome, almost ready to go.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948062.U2YhBpsf.jpg) The threesome, almost ready to go. |
![The obligatory butt shot -- seems like that is what is always pointed my way at launch time. Message in that?](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948064.wYFzvyId.jpg) The obligatory butt shot -- seems like that is what is always pointed my way at launch time. Message in that? |
![Prairie Channel, off Woody and Horseshoe; WA shore in the distance.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/97002871.EsUXtBnM.jpg) Prairie Channel, off Woody and Horseshoe; WA shore in the distance. |
![Chart and GPS check; Horseshoe back channel.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/97002872.MfUE43hu.jpg) Chart and GPS check; Horseshoe back channel. |
![Swamp buttercup, bankside; courtesy Belinda.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/97002873.A8PzaGKO.jpg) Swamp buttercup, bankside; courtesy Belinda. |
![Center of Marsh Island rest stop. I managed to stumble in the mud, yarding Terry and her boat out of the water.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948066.sNVrrZUC.jpg) Center of Marsh Island rest stop. I managed to stumble in the mud, yarding Terry and her boat out of the water. |
![Belinda skirting up to go.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948068.8fen5mxm.jpg) Belinda skirting up to go. |
![Marsh is separated from our lunch location, Russian Island, by the first truly open water we had.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948070.RLl91n2K.jpg) Marsh is separated from our lunch location, Russian Island, by the first truly open water we had. |
![After a bumpy crossing, haulout for lunch on Russian Island.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948072.VrBDFpUM.jpg) After a bumpy crossing, haulout for lunch on Russian Island. |
![It's all mud out there; this rivulet drains a many-acre intertidal land mass.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948075.ih9sPWcM.jpg) It's all mud out there; this rivulet drains a many-acre intertidal land mass. |
![That nice wood boat attracts photos.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948077.9KOpH9QH.jpg) That nice wood boat attracts photos. |
![Thr threesome in munch and swallow mode.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948080.x2eh5w0O.jpg) Thr threesome in munch and swallow mode. |
![Russian Island is huge, with myriads of these little rises and small waterways crossing it,.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948082.odIrdIyv.jpg) Russian Island is huge, with myriads of these little rises and small waterways crossing it,. |
![Down the channel toward Svensen Island, habitated by humans and cows.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948084.nPpRfwxV.jpg) Down the channel toward Svensen Island, habitated by humans and cows. |
![The tide has fallen about 5 feet mandating dragging boats in behind Svensen Island.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948086.haqEP6I8.jpg) The tide has fallen about 5 feet mandating dragging boats in behind Svensen Island. |
![Settlers Point, where we re-enter the Prairie Channel.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948088.eVrMyNnL.jpg) Settlers Point, where we re-enter the Prairie Channel. |
![Exiting the channel behind Svensen, contemplating the headwind.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/812762/3/96948090.F6BfRLtS.jpg) Exiting the channel behind Svensen, contemplating the headwind. |