The Rest of August 2017

The Rest of August 2017

I got a call from Kristen who supervises the volunteer instructors at the Center for Wooden Boats. She asked if I would like to participate as an ambassador to an event for a sponsor who had just purchased all new mainsails for the fleet of 20' Blanchard Jr. Knockabouts

I was so honored by the call I said Yes! Just a small contingent from the company that owns several restaurants in Seattle were able to attend the event so only couple of instructors were needed to skipper a vessel for a tour of Lake Union sporting the new sails. The rest of us tagged along behind just enjoying another beautiful Seattle day on Lake Union. Then we enjoyed a very nice reception catered by one of the restaurants. The wine went great with the oysters!

Sadly the West coast fires that first dominated in Canada and California soon covered Oregon and Washington State. smokey days outnumbered the clear days when the winds were blowing onshore to send the smoke back from whence it came.

Each weekend begins with a ferry ride to Eagle Harbor, This Saturday Morning a few hundred bikers had there own event scheduled.

Lucky for a clear day at the marina.

Friday evenings we avoided the crowds at The Mural at Seattle Center for free concerts and opted for a smaller event at Bell Street, the music is always good

We enjoyed the Solar Eclipse at the marina. fuzzy shadows and other interesting observations filled the morning.

This 9 month old is the center of attention these days as she challenges the very earth that her brother inhabits.

Terry and Richard Butler met me at the Center for Wooden Boats. The best way demonstrate the beauth of Seattle is to take them for a sail on Lake Union in Blanchard Jr. Knockabout. 

They loved the constant float planes taking off and landing.

Terry and Richard are in Seattle preparing to board the Uncruise to Alaska. I'm excited to know someone taking the cruise since we have learned a bit about the advantages of taking this particular cruise by small ship rather than the big mega boats. : http://www2.uncruise.com/l/182202/2017-06-14/ltx5m?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=brand-alaska Terry's  Facebook page reflects the Uncruise website

Always good to have accomplished sailors on board, I can just turn over the tiller and enjoy the sail!

Fun to see the kids sailing camp.

We have learned to Trail Bathe when you can, here at Discovery Park

Not unusual to see an unusual military ship in Puget Sound.

Noticed this guy in the shallows near Shillshole, not sure if he ran aground or some other problem. Being on or near the waters of Puget Sound now I have seen several vessels run aground in areas that are well marked and are common knowledge. It is not like the Gulf coast up here. On the Gulf coast you have shifting sands that can overnight become an unmarked shoal. These shallows have been in the same location for possibly hundreds of years and are marked on all the charts. It is more rocks than sand here. No wonder we in our hunt for our Puget Sound vessel we saw so many vessels with significant structural damage.

We are now #17 on the wait list to get a slip at Shillshole marina. They say maybe by next spring sometime.

A cool little trail at Discovery Park.
See: https://youtu.be/OWtU_dy4oxc