New Years Eve Onward to 2019

New Years Eve Onward to 2019 

Anticipation of the New Year ALWAYS brings optimism and renewal for a better world. Looking forward to new learning opportunities and better human solutions to age old concerns. Texans can't go forward without gulping down some black eyed peas for good luck and staying up till at least 1:00 am to welcome in the promising New Year. However, as we get within hours of 2019 I would say the mood in Seattle is guarded optimism at best.
The Admiral's intuition and sensitivity to all things leads us away from the city for New Years Eve to a very easy escape just a 30 minute ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. We already know where the best spots are that are absolutely free and provide  all the Pacific Northwest environment that we want to enjoy on a leisurely day. The Ferry ride over begins the day:

As we left the ferry dock we saw this huge Fog Bank just to the North with the top of the space needle peeking out.

Looking West the Olympics were out in their full winter glory.

As we neared Eagle Harbor we noticed that the fog had moved a little further North near our Shilshole Marina.

No fog entering Eagle Harbor, Just clear shies.

1st stop Blackbird Bakery

We avoid bakery's except for this Blackbird., and the one in Poulsbo.

2nd Stop Fay Bainbridge State Park.

Looking East from Fay Bainbridge Beach the fog has grown over our marina.

But just a little bit to the North west the Cascades are out. 

Then the Fog spread out over the Sound looking South towards Mt. Rainier

The prevailing winds are relatively warm Southwesterly, today the winds are coming straight out of the Yukon and funneled down Canada's Frasier Valley where it pours into the North end of Puget Sound. Then it flows through the valley formed by the Olympics and the Cascades to the South Sound  

Crisp and Cool here. 

Almost every time we come to Fay Bainbridge park there is an Eagle in the top of the center tree. If they are not there then just wait a little while and they will fly over.

3rd Stop Fort Ward State Park

this is a small section of a chart that identifies the major mountain peaks in the Olympics and Cascades, from Fort Ward The Brothers, Jupiter, Constance, and Warrior are visible looking from the Southwestern edge of Rich Passage.

So right in front is Rich Passage with the Olympics and the Brothers visible in this shot.

The Admirals camera has a pretty good zoom, The Brothers up close. This mountain seems to be visible from almost every angle in Seattle, If you are driving West on almost so many roads in Seattle you have a view of the Brothers.

The highest peak, Mt. Constance.

Mt. Warrior

We heard all these Sea Lions barking and looked way down at the entrance to Rich Passage. Using Lynn's camera I zoomed in you could see the Sea Lions baking in the sun on the Red Nun. There are at least four of them on the bouy and a couple more just in the water.

4th Stop Pleasant Beach

Looking South from Pleasant Beach and the Western end of Rich Passage.

The view of Mt. Rainier and the Lenticular Cloud

"As air travels along the surface of the Earth, obstructions are often encountered. These include both natural features of the Earth, such as mountains or hills, and man-made structures, such as buildings and other structures. These disrupt the flow of air into "eddies", or areas of turbulence influenced by these obstructions.

When moist, stable air flows over a larger eddie, like those caused by mountains, a series of large-scale standing waves form on the leeward side of the mountain. If the temperature at the crest of the wave drops below the local dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form lenticular clouds. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular clouds can form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as a "wave cloud." These wave systems can produce large updrafts, occasionally enough for water vapour to condense and produce precipitation" Wikipedia.

5th Stop Halls Hill Labyrinth

Completing the day on Bainbridge at Halls Hill is the final touch on a day of being Present

I have tried to explain to others why it is that so many very diverse people buy a boat of any kind.  The connection between this population is very real. Water definitely has a big piece of the explanation. The water is an attraction and connection to so many but why? Taking time out to focus on anything other than the mass media of our daily world can bring one back to center. To be Present and to live in the moment. The Natural beauty of the PNW is right outside the door here, a very short journey away. There are many ways to find this Peace. 
We planned to take the 3:30 Ferry back to Seattle
It works perfect since at this time of the year it gets dark by 4:40pm. It makes a great Sunset Happy Hour on the trip back across Elliot Bay to Seattle.

 
New Years Day

We take a walk along the water front trail. 
So many people out enjoying yet another sunny warmish day. Lots of smiles anticipating 2019.

Be Nice

Considerate

Love Everyone

Keep the Fire Burning

Have Fun

Live all Day Long in 2019