Sunday, December 9, 2018

Light Show!

Stay Awhile arrived!

The boats look good together, for sure.

What an ideal spot to hang out for the parade. We gathered on Europa for wine, dinner, and to watch all of the beautifully lit boats go by. The fully illuminated  kayaks were spectacular!

We woke to rain so headed back to the Foss fairly early. Stay Awhile, however, lived up to her name and stayed out...last known destination Blake Island...

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Holiday Season Boating

Stay Awhile, our friends new RT 23, was delivered Monday. We took a bottle of bubbly down to the marina (she's berthed just a few docks away from Europa) to help celebrate her arrival. You can see her stern in my first photo.

We motored into Gig Harbor yesterday afternoon for tonight's lighted boat parade. We were hoping for space at the dock, but as expected, no room at the inn. We're at our favorite buoy...with the heater running. The lights last night were enchanting!

Stay Awhile will be making her inaugural trip to join us today.

As usual, the harbor is busy with dragon boat paddlers and youth canoe and kayakers.

The canoe/kayak coaching boat helped a group of dragon boat paddlers maneuver a dock piece to their slip to hang a banner. Interesting...

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Lunch in Gig Harbor

Beautiful morning on the water. Guess how many boats we see in Commencement Bay? Yep. Zero.

Okay, a few fishing boats as we approach the Point.

Hoping for a Vivaldi sighting today!

Photo shows off our new "Zedeboard." Beautiful work by our friend Steve.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

New fave?

We've visited Port Townsend a couple of times, staying in Point Hudson and Boat Haven. Boat Haven is spiffy with new docks, a cheaper fee, and space during boating season. It is a bit of a walk into town.

This time we opted for Point Hudson because we knew we were likely to find a spot this time of year, and we wanted to walk to Fort Worden.

We woke to a sublime sunrise and watched a kingfisher resting on a nearby boat. This is one of my favorite birds and I don't often get this close.

It really is a charming spot.

I am not sure I have ever seen so many sleek, fat and happy deer in suburbia in my life.

Fort Worden was really beautiful on this crisp, clear morning. Views were expansive. The Marine Science Center was not open yet so we'll save this for another visit.

We were pleased to see mooring buoys and plan to revisit this great park!

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Sunny day in November

Unlike yesterday, today was bright and sunny, albeit a bit breezy. Just a little chop on the way.

The lighthouse at Point No Point is one of my favorites. I just read that it is the oldest lighthouse on the Puget Sound. Who knew.

Mt. Baker was majestic to our east as we motored...my photo doesn't do it justice.

After finding dock space at the Point Hudson marina, we got a quick bite at the Point Hudson Cafe. Good cream of spinach soup! Then we headed into town  for the usual tour of great shops.

When we got back to the boat Captain Nick spotted a USA, or Unidentified Swimming Animal. I think it was a seal. He thinks it was an otter.

There is a fair amount of wildlife around here that is obviously not too afraid of people, including an otter threesome we saw a couple of times.

Is it my imagination or do they look a bit like ornery old men when viewed straight on...

Not to jump the gun or anything but during our cruise today we got word that our dear neighbors put the wheels in motion to take delivery of the Stay Awhile, a new 23 foot RT. We are so happy to have more boating friends!

Friday, November 9, 2018

Late Fall Boating

Good to be on the water again.

After recently uploading a Garmin software upgrade, we spent a fair amount of time on the phone with a rep to work through resulting issues. Software "stuff" almost never goes well for us. I blame us. Mostly.

Anyway, it was a foggy, slightly rainy morning, so who cares...

We were pleasantly surprised by a foraging humpback just south of Kingston. (No pics, unfortunately.) Makes it all better...

Since we are not late night people we hardly ever get to see Europa in her lighted glory. (Okay, I take license with "late." We are definitely early evening people.)

The night sky over Kingston. Glorious.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

New boat! Not for us...

Since I would have taken sick leave on Tuesday anyway, we decided to stay on the water an aditional day. We, again, watched ducks go after Madrona berries...very entertaining...in Eagle Harbor, and then walked the beach under the ferry terminal and found some beachside cairn art.

Occasionally we see boats that just make us say "wow" like this Beneteau power boat with sails and stabilizers. Again...wow.

It was fun to watch this kite boarder zipping back and forth in front of us.

We arrived in Des Moines and pulled in next to a Ranger 23. Turns out the owners are here to trade her in for a 29! (They've had the 23 since February. Sound familiar?)

We were on hand when Tim showed up with Redfish and hauled her into the water. That was fun to watch, as I'd never seen the whole process.

The owners are doing their orientation today and tomorrow and will set out for their home port later this week. So fun to be part of someone getting a new boat!

We did not know about the Des Moines Creek Trail until this morning! Great trail with some nice artwork and bucolic duck scenery.

We'll head home later this morning and spend some time cleaning a very salty Europa.