What we’re about
GUGOOS are a laid back fun bunch of folks who like to spend time enjoying the outdoors! Join us on our adventures - hiking, kayaking, surfing, backpacking, bungee jumping, food, skydiving, sailing, white water rafting, urban hikes etc. Most events are kept small to encourage interaction, make hosting easier, and enable enhanced coordination.
The organizers are great people who want to share an adventure. Please respect them and their decisions. Keep in mind we are not tour guides or people to be talked down to. Please be prepared for the activity level and conditions as unprepared people negatively impact events and can be prevented from going.
All Adventurers welcome!
We do have a few rules -
Treat folks as you would want to be treated. Read events before you rsvp and ensure you are capable/prepared.
Always treat folks and the environment with respect. Leave no trace, don't dirty your driver's car, be kind, show up on time.
We do not advertise personal businesses and agendas nor do we sell products in this group. This group is not designed for dating matches. Please respect others and the word "no".
If you have an idea, please reach out so we can help you host. Just be sure your event follows guidelines of the park and local laws.
Remove yourself from the waitlist if you can't show on short notice and update your rsvp with advanced notice.
To join please use the name you go by and have some kind of photo to help distinguish you. One showing your face is the most helpful for others to find you and remember your name.
I look forward to seeing you at one of our events!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Macrame Workshop (Wall Hanging)Northgate Community Center, Seattle, WA$45.00
Want to learn macrame and make a beautiful tapestry to hang on your wall? Come learn the techniques of hand knotting! Students will learn to make a classic mini wall hanging by using the most commonly used macrame knots. This is a beginner friendly workshop with no previous experience required. Instructor: Kulsoom Burney
$45
Register by calling Northgate CC at 206-386-4283
Activity detail | Seattle Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)
Note: this workshop was originally intended for those ages 50+, but we are opening it up to adults 18+ as the class has spaces. If you're under 50, you'll need to register by phone or in person through the community center (online registration will not work unless you're 50+) - Mussel Harvest on Whidbey IslandGreen Lake Park & Ride, Seattle, WA
Description
Imagine a day trip to the serene Long Beach on Whidbey Island, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. As you step onto the beach, the cool, salty breeze from the Puget Sound greets you, carrying with it the distant cries of seagulls. The beach, with its miles of unspoiled shoreline, is a haven for nature lovers and shellfish enthusiasts alike.
Your adventure begins with a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge, the rhythmic sound of the waves lapping against the shore accompanying your thoughts. The beach is dotted with driftwood, each piece a natural sculpture shaped by time and tide. As you walk, you spot a bald eagle soaring high above, its majestic silhouette a stark contrast against the clear blue sky.
But the real treasure of Long Beach lies beneath the waves. At low tide, the sea retreats to reveal a bounty of mussels clinging to the rocks. With a shellfish license in hand, you can harvest these delicious bivalves. The thrill of the hunt is matched only by the satisfaction of a successful harvest.A trip to Long Beach on Whidbey Island isn’t just about getting mussels. It’s about immersing yourself in nature, taking a moment to slow down, and truly savoring the simple pleasures life has to offer. So why wait? The beach is calling. 🌊
Optional Clams
There are clams on the beach which we can harvest. They won't be the goal for the main group but if you're personally interested, you will be able to dig for them. Butter clams, cockles, horseclams, and native littlenecks are reported to be in this location. If you intend to do that then you will need to take responsibility for bringing equipment, knowing the regulations, risks, and everything else that goes with clamming.Itinerary
- 8:00AM We will meet at Green Lake Park and Ride
- 8:15AM-10:00AM We will carpool to Whidbey Island
- 10:00-10:45AM Eat Brunch
- 10:45-11:00 Drive and walk to Long Point
- 11:00-3:00 Harvest Mussels
- 3:00-5:00 Drive back to Seattle
- 5:00-6:00 Cook Mussel and Other Shellfish(Optional)
- 6:00-7:00 Eat Mussels(Optional)
Regulations
We can only harvest 10lbs on mussel and everyone must have a shellfish license.
Shellfish/Seaweed Species Rules - Washington Fishing | eRegulationsLocation
We will be harvesting mussel at Long Point. We will go to Twin Lagoons as backup if we don't find enough at Long Point.
Long Point and Long Point West | Washington Department of Fish & WildlifeWest Penn Cove and Twin Lagoons | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Equipment Needed
- Shellfish License. You can buy the annual shellfish license or one of the temporary combination licenses.
- Bucket
- Gloves(Highly recommended) and/or crowbar for prying mussels(Highly recommended)
- Study shoes
- Long Pants
- Your host will bring a scale for everyone
- Cooler
- Clamming Equipment(Optional)
- Cooking ingredients(Optional)
How to Harvest Mussel
Follow this linkWhy it's a good time
This is a good time according to this tidal chart.
WDFWBestClamOysterHarvestTides.pdf (wa.gov)Also mussel and other shellfish are best gotten before the summer when bacteria levels rise and mussels use their energy to spawn.
Communication
We will be using whatsApp for questions and communication
https://bit.ly/3J7qcF3Optional Cooking
We will host an optional cooking in Seattle after we get back. We can use my apartment lounge or if someone wants to volunteer to host us, that works as well.Waitlist and Liability form
Filling this liability form is required to get off waitlist
https://forms.gle/siAPpBod5A5FSV7V6Here is more info
Gather your share of shellfish as plenty of spring-time choices are blossoming on nearby beaches | by The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Medium