The 4th started out a bit rugged. We awoke to no power for reasons unknown and
in preparing the food for the trip, a full jar of sweet pickles jumped from
Jodi’s hands spreading its sticky contents all over the floor.
The day improved from there. We caught the mid day ferry and were in Friday Harbor by 1:30 or
so. We elected to stay at the dock and
watch the fireworks, so we found ourselves with no particular agenda other than
to relax. Perfect.
Some interesting boats at the dock, including the Hawaiian Chieftain from Grays Harbor.
Around 5 we launched the bullfrog for an entirely pleasant
water tour of Friday Harbor. After
roaming through the marina we went to the South end of the Harbor. Impressive boats and homes – including a
nice boat called ‘Abracadabra’, rock legend Steve Millers boat.
After dinner we went out to Roche to watch colors. Colors is quite the tradition, but colors
on the 4th is pretty special.
For our family, after 50 years of summers near Roche, it was made more
special with Devin being part of the crew that did the ceremony.
Let me backtrack to just over 50 years ago. Dad related the story of his first visit to
Roche Harbor. It would have been around
1960 or ’61 in his old Blanchard 33 sailboat.
He was coming around what are now the old guest docks and as he nosed in
between the docks and the beach he saw an older gentleman jogging down the
dock.
This was in the pre-electronic days and the old wooden boat
had no depth sounder. Dad had one of
his crew on the bow taking soundings with a lead line and as he did so, the
older gentleman at the head of the dock slowed down to a comfortable walk. By the time Dad docked the boat, the older
gentleman arrived and commented that he was going to help Dad dock the boat,
but when he saw the crew taking soundings he knew the skipper was experienced
and would be just fine. The older
gentleman introduced himself as Rueben Tarte.
Rueben had bought Roche Harbor Lime and Cement company a few years
earlier and was still in the process of turning it into a Marina. By all accounts, Mr. Rueben Tarte was a
classy visionary, creating a resort from a tired lime and cement company.
Fast forward to 2012
The colors ceremony. Everyone
knows what happens after the flags are down.
There’s a crowd. Not only
family, but a bunch of other folks as well.
It’s a tradition. The color
guard lines up, salutes, and jumps.
The first two in the water?
Devin and one of his co-workers Rueben – the great grandson of Roche
Harbor’s founder.
Fun evening topped off with Fireworks.
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