 He has called Fox Island a "wondrous place" and credits the island's swamps and wildlife with inspiring his interest in nature.On April 29, 1988, at 6 PM local time, a nuclear-powered US Navy submarine, the USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609), ran aground on Fox Island while operating in nearby Carr Inlet.The ship remained aground for approximately 10 hours until high tide returned and tugboats were brought in to unstick the ship.