Monday, December 18, 2017

Not Boating

While we didn't actually get out on the water this past weekend, we did visit the Europa while we hung out on the Foss to catch a glimpse of the lighted boat parade.

Caleb says we should be IN the parade and when we said, no, we're not interested in night boating, he called us a name. Woosies. Yep, we are.

We took a walk along a nearby dock as well, admiring boats that were far more decorated than our one measly string of lights.

It looks like some pretty cold weather over the next few days, and then of course, it's Christmas. Maybe the end to boating trips in 2017!

Enjoy the season!

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Eagle Harbor - a Favorite 12.10.2017

Thanks to our boating friends Brian and Nicole for joining us Saturday evening. And an extra thanks for the homegrown eggs!  They made a delicious breakfast Sunday morning as we watched the sun rise over the hill in Eagle Harbor.

We took a brisk walk through the harbor park and were greatly amused when Captain Nick figured out that the ducks were waiting patiently and then gobbling up the berries that were occasionally plopping into the water from the overhanging Madrona trees!

We often comment on the benefits of few other boats on the water in winter, however, as the image shows, there is still plenty of activity in parts of the sound. We watched an aircraft carrier head towards Bremerton, while two ferries and two pleasure boats made there ways to other ports.

We are heading to Des Moines now for fuel and a pumpout, and then back to our own home port on the Foss.

P.S. The new mattress and bedding are awesome!

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Back on the water! 12.9.2017

At last!

Commencement Bay and Colvos Passage were blanketed in fog...and it was so nice when it cleared! Although not the most fun boating, we are much more comfortable in foggy weather now. Getting used to the radar helps.

Arrived in Eagle Harbor after some good wildlife sightings: many porpoise (very difficult to get those sleek things on camera!), winter waterfowl, seals, sea lions, and an eagle sitting on the tower at Blakely Rock. Very few boats. Except for those darn ferries that seem to come up on us from nowhere! (Of course the "Tacoma" boat has the ginormous mustache.)

Just put up the lights and now enjoying the heated cabin and a glass of wine before heading to the pub for dinner.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Penrose Point Marine State Park 10.30.2017

Fenders in!

We've decided this is a good salutation meaning bon voyage, safe travels, see 'ya, and oh-by-the-way don't forget to stow your fenders! All of us have stories of letting our fenders hang out for the world to see so it helps to have friends on the water to offer gentle reminders.

The fall colors are spectacular this year, and the views from the water have been awesome.

We pulled in to the dock at Penrose yesterday with lots of sunlight left in the afternoon, and no other boats at the dock. We watched otters, herons, Western grebes,  king fishers, loons, surf scoters, gulls, sandpipers, eagles, seals, porpoise, dolphins...and I'm probably forgetting a few things...on our way and when we arrived.

The wind picked up last night, keeping a few of us awake. I just looked up to find our new earth flag in tatters. The Coorie Doon and crew left a bit ago to head back to Olympia to haul out...news is that it's choppy but not too bad. We'll head home shortly before noon and hope the Narrows isn't too crazy.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Jarrell Cove 10.29.2017

So many photo ops, so many stories.

Very serious fog yesterday but we're getting better at it. Not a lot of other boats to watch out for, and we could usually see a bit of the Coorie Doon through the mist.

It cleared up before we cruised into Jarrell Cove but not before the weird "fog rainbow" as Captain Nick dubbed the nimbus-like vision as the sun came through.

The image of the very green water with bugs is extremely funny to me, but not-so-much to the Z's, who are currently experiencing a stink bug infestation.

We shared a Mexican meal last night, with tamales and tacos...and yes, Margaritas!

No fog this morning, and glass-like water through Pickering Passage.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

South Sound in Fall

We left the Foss at around noon on Friday (10.28.2017), headed to Gig Harbor. Gorgeous sunny day and very nice on the water. Met the Zedekars at Jeresich dock and had dinner at the Tides Tavern.

Another beautiful day Saturday morning, with a walk to Finholms so Steve could replenish his beer supply. We're waiting for a little fog to clear and then we're heading south to Jarrell Cove.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Boating Friends

We've been off the water for a couple of weeks due to high winds. So, very happy to be able to spend a beautiful fall day with our neighbors touring Quartermaster and Gig Harbors. Truly beautiful. Almost no wind, mostly sunny, and just a lovely day on the water.

We haven't been to Quartermaster before so started with Burton Village. We didn't see any obviously available dock space so  went back to Dockton Park to have lunch and take a short walk. We contemplated taking the longer historical walk but the water was just too nice not to return to the Europa  and continue our voyage. We now know the area is a nice and easy trip, and worthy of return visits.

Our friends have both lived in Gig Harbor and appreciated the entry into that place by water...a completely different perspective.

My first photo is of a portion of the Quartermaster Harbor Marina, and the second is...well...the guys chillin. The Admiral and the Vice Admiral at the helm...

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Fender Clip

One of the things I am not fond of doing is last minute fender repositioning. It can be difficult any time but add a moving, rocking boat and the need to do it quickly, and it can become a major pain. I have been looking at various clips and finally decided to try the Taylor Made Tidy Ups version. I liked it so much I went back and bought a second one. Easy enough to use but the real test will be the next time I have to move a fender in a hurry.

Lovely, warm, bright morning in Gig Harbor, where we decided to spend a second night. There was an SUP event yesterday, with what looked like 100 people on boards all at one time.

How do you like my improvised "lamp?"

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Human-powered Watercraft

We motored to Gig Harbor yesterday afternoon...a nice early fall day after a few days of chilly temps and occasional downpours. Winter-like weather seemed to come out of nowhere!

The Gig Harbor gondolier is still going strong. It must be a success, as I think he's been in business for a couple of years now. Who knew that was a niche market waiting to be tapped. The gondola did a fairly full tour of the harbor...although we didn't hear any singing...

There were also many young members of the Canoe & Kayak Team on the water in the late afternoon, accompanied by several coaching boats.

This morning, we woke to calls of, "stroke...stroke...stroke" as one of the local dragon boat teams practiced.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Rendezvous Trip Day 11 (of 11)

We're almost home. 11 wonderful days!

We left Port Townsend just as the sun was rising.

I took a photo of a large boat...although not the largest of the three we saw this morning. Is this a commercial crabbing boat?

At last...I got a few Orca shots! These were just north of Kingston...and there were zero whale watching boats around. A bonus for us...not to mention the whales.

Rendezvous Trip Day 10

Nothing like watching whales while making lunch. Yep, that's what I did yesterday as we cruised Haro and Juan de Fuca straights on the first leg of our journey home. Didn't get very close but those whale watching boats sure do! I have very mixed emotions about that industry.

Our crossing of those waters was the calmest yet. And marine fog can be fun...if you can watch it from a distance! My photo shows the very top of a container ship peaking through.

Our stop in Port Townsend was a perfect plan, as the Wooden Boat Festival was still going and we had a chance to walk around and see the sights.

The other photos are shots of a quiet but packed Boat Haven Marina as the sun was going down. Last time we were here we stayed at the Port Hudson Marina. Both are nice but the latter is right in town. Boat Haven docks A and B are some of the nicest we've experienced, as they were rebuilt about 8 years ago.

That last shot shows a small catamaran with pedals. People think of everything when it comes to boat building!

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Rendezvous Trip Day 9

Yesterday (Saturday) was the last full day of the Rendezvous with lots of activities (that we didn't participate in) despite the rain and drizzle that stuck around until later afternoon. It was a good day for sleeping in and catching up on some reading.

It was fun to have drinks and dinner with the Browns and other RT/CB acquaintances - and especially good to finally catch up with the Beards. Little did we know that Tom is a Coast Guard historian! Can't wait to get our hands on a couple if his books. We look forward to meeting up with them in their home port and hearing more fantastic accounts of their world travels on so many sailboats they've lost count!

Friday, September 8, 2017

Rendezvous Trip Day 8

Thank goodness for the Rendezvous Scavenger Hunt for getting us off our rear ends and experiencing a lot of what Roche Harbor has to offer. Did not know there is a mausoleum nearby...until today.

Got a couple more crab today and had Captain Nick's delicious crab rolls for lunch. It was fun to offer our crab cooking equipment and methods to others...although the pickins' were slim.

I didn't have my phone with me at dinner tonight. If I did I would have included a photo of the whole roasted pig! Also delicious.

After a bit of rain overnight, it turned out to be a decent day with some blue sky instead of smoke.

Thanks to RT's Kevin for doing some work on Europa.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Rendezvous Trip Day 7

Need I say more.

Rendezvous Trip Day 6

The smoke and ash continued to be a problem yesterday. Makes for some really pretty images of the sun but it's just gray and ashy outside...not great to look at.

As we left the Port of Victoria we passed a huge cruise ship; the closest we've been to one in a boat. I prefer our style of "cruising" thank you very much!

I don't think we'll ever hit the open seas but my image of a totally gray skyline is what I imagine that horizon would look like...empty! The Olympic Mountains were hiding behind all of that smoke.

We had another good viewing of a pod of Orcas on our way to Roche Harbor, just as we were entering Haro Straight. Not showing off like last time but still an awesome sight. One of these days I'll get a photo.

The first thing we did after arriving yesterday was wash all the ash off the Europa! Many of the 170+ boats had already arrived. More today...