Jodi’s folks arrived Thursday and after work I threw the
bike aboard and we headed over to Bell Street Harbor. The plan was for them to stay at Bell Street on Friday, then I’d
bike to work.
We had a cocktail cruise over to Bell Street followed by a
nice dinner at Elliots (Thank you, Ken).
The crew reported a great day on Friday and Rex enjoyed the
smells and treats of Pike Place market.
 |
| Seattle Skyline retreating in the distance |
After biking “home” on Friday night, we untied and headed
across the sound to Blake Island. The
docks were full, but the pilings afford a nice, comfortable moorage. We nosed the bow near one piling and Jodi
neatly lassoed it, then slowly pivoted around it bringing the stern to the
other one with about 60 feet or so in between.
Perfect, secured fore and aft.
 |
| The Chef preparing dinner |
Dinner was ‘White King Salmon” that Ken had purchased at the
market. Jodi prepared to perfection and
we had Salmon and Asparagus.
 |
| White Salmon, Quinoa, and Asparagus. |
Blake Island feels remote compared to the hustle and bustle
of down town Seattle, but they’re only an hour a part in a very slow boat.
Saturday morning dawned early for me and I went ashore
around 5:30am for some early morning shots.
 |
| Tillicum Village at Blake Island |
 |
| poor picture, but a crow is bugging the heck out of an eagle, swooping down and buzzing him (or her) |
 |
| And the retort |
 |
| Camping, Seattle style |
 |
| Cambria moored fore and aft |
 |
| Crabbing |
After breakfast I noticed the batteries had a significant
voltage drop, the first indication that a pair of deep cycle batteries in are
my future (it’s always something!).
Jodi, Ken and Judy went ashore for a hike and I stayed
aboard to assess the batteries and try to get a charge into them via the
generator.
The hike was reported by Judy to be quite long and
hilly. Apparently Jodi ‘got lost’ and
took them for quite the hike!!
 |
| Ken and Judy after the hike |
 |
| The old "Olympus", former Governor's Yacht, buitl in 1927 |
Had not been to Gig Harbor in years. The entrance is pretty small, but the old
governors yacht ‘Olympus’ went through just in front of us. The SYC dock was quite full, and not a
sailboat on the dock, so we found one of the last moorage spots at an in town
marina.
 |
| Fellow on his SUP with 'his baby' |
 |
| One of the tenders off the "Olympus" |
 |
| Jodi kayaking |
The harbor is pretty active – kayaking, sailing, canoes and
the new rage SUP’s (stand up paddleboards) are all common sights. Jodi and Ken went for a paddle and Judy, Rex
and I toured the harbor with the tender.
Dinner was at the old Tides Tavern. Quite the happening place!!
We had a choice of staying at Gig Harbor or taking a 4 hour
cruise up to Poulsbo. We decided to
stay in Gig Harbor and went on another ‘JFM’ (Jodi’s Forced March) walking the
town end to end. Armed with a Map, an
old, out of date one at that, we toured the town.
 |
| The town is well annotated |
 |
| The narrow entrance to Gig Harbor |
 |
| Somebody let the plug out |
 |
| Gig Harbor |
 |
| Stubby Rainbow |
 |
| The "My Gal", an old Garden design |
Gig Harbor seems to be fairing well. It’s picturesque, interesting and affords
for a pleasant day of sight seeing.
Probably not much more than that, although we did save the museum for a
future visit.
We found the site where the first Thunderbird was
built. Dad had told me that story many
times of how Ben Seaborn on a design contest, drawing up a sailboat made of
plywood. Hulls 1 through 16 were built
in Gig Harbor.
The town does seem to be wrestling with itself, torn between
retaining it’s old character rooted in logging, fishing and boat building vs
becoming a home for waterfront condos.
We found ‘7 Seas’ brewery and sampled some of their wares
later in the afternoon.
Jodi prepared shrimp tacos which were magnificent. The consensus score was 9.75, with a quarter
point deduction for choosing a too sweet mango for the salsa. It was a great dinner.
After dinner, Ken demonstrated his keen anticipatory skills
by divesting himself of his watch, wallet, and cell phone before stepping on,
but not quite in, the kayak. Do not try
this full immersion technique at home.
All’s well that ends well and despite a new found appreciation for
Newton’s 3rd law of motion (for every
action there is an equal, and opposite,
reaction) and a slightly bruised ego, all was well.
The evening was rounded out by a dinghy ride with an
unexpected event. It was right at
sunset and as we toured the shoreline, a gentleman was walking down a dock we
were approaching in a crisp, military fashion.
I saw what he was carrying and I shut the engine off just as he began
‘Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes. The
timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
After a charming rendition, he spun and retreated.
The trip back was uneventful. Monday was a grey, drippy day but we were warm and dry in the cockpit.
No comments:
Post a Comment