July 2023 Serendipity is a Fun Word

 Serendipity is a Fun Word

I stopped keeping a calendar a long time ago. Sometimes we have an idea for the day or not so since we are spending our time in Seattle with grandkids our daughter sends us their schedule Sunday evening. They are always doing something the same or completely different in a never before been to location somewhere within a hours radius of their home in West Seattle.

Saw this resident Blue Heron early one morning July1

And then saw this interesting  Jelly fish

Week 1

Drew called and wanted to go sailing. Sure! So Dad and Drew jumped on board and we headed out for a sail.

We said we could sail across to Madison Bay, Russell asked if there was a restaurant over there.

Well, there is a free dock and a restaurant, Sully's. Fortunately there was room to dock.

Great outside seating with a view

Then Sailing Camp #3 began for Drew

It was low tide the afternoon we walked down to pick up Drew from sailing camp, you can see how high the steel pilings are, and the breakwater in the background. We have had some really high-high, and low-low tides recently, as much as 15' +. 

One of the camp counselors invited us down on their docks to see the Sea Anemone

& Sea Cucumber

And Sea Stars

And another Sea star

Here’s an example of Seattle tide station.

I wondered what the Alaska tides must be? Over 20’!

This 30 something foot boat left high and dry at the public boat dock during low tide, we wondered if it was a derelict boat tide up there for removal be the marina. 

A Lions Main Jelly

Same boat at high tide

We do not often see the dock pilings this short.

Now that Drew is a Certified sailor we rig up Snowflake, our sailing dingy.

Drew takes over and we go sailing.

Week 2

Sometimes I extend my walk by checking out boats on the other docks, this is P dock, one over. It's curious how every dock has its own mini culture. There are anywhere from 60-80 boats on each dock. P dock has a lot of Character boats like this one and I'm sure some special characters to go with them.

Our daughter had tickets for us to go to see Fitz and The Tantrums, we had never heard of them but we said Lets Go! The venue was over in Woodenville, WA about a 40 minute drive to the Chateau St. Michelle winery grounds.

Huge Venue, we had seats on the third row.

Could not remember when we had been to a concert this big.

The opening band was a Rock folk group Kuinka

Their music was Fun and creative

Kuinka

Fitz and The Tantrums Rocked the House, they had everyone up and dancing from the first note including Drew and Clara.

Week 3

Sailing camp #4 at The Center For Wooden Boats at Lake Union. Lake Union is on the North edge of downtown Seattle and is a primary Maritime Center for the region. The History and Maritime traditions are stored at the Center for Wooden boats. A unique culture at the heart of Seattle.

Outdoor classroom by the water

The sailing students get a variety of sailing experiences here is a 20' Blanchard Jr. Knockabout., They also sail in Pelicans and their primary vessel is an El Toro.

Rigging the El Toros

Lavengos

All sizes of commercial shipping come and go from Lake Union.

Around the corner is a Paddle board camp for kids.

Week 4

We decided to walk to the Hiram M.Chittenden Ballard Locks and on the way saw this healthy Kingfisher.

On the way we checked out the Shilshole Point Beach. We have noticed a lot of 20 somethings walking down this path on the weekends with their paddle boards.

Point Shilshole Beach

An unusual place to have a Purple Martin Colony

We might get to see this vessel transit the locks!

Another public access spot but we did not bother checking it out.

There She Is!

We walked over to the Magnolia side of the locks to see the Blue Heron Rookery but I forgot to take pictures of the Heron's Nesting grounds.

We drove Drew over to his Horse camp the last week of July and while in the neighborhood hiked part of the Cougar Mountain Wildland Park

The Ford Slope Mine

A shaft vent

No need to set an intention for the day, just walk down there, and see what's there.

This coyote met us one morning after we picked up Drew just a block from his house.

Our Son Graeme and granddaughter Liv rode the train up from Portland to visit Seattle Family  for the day, She is attending The Aveda School in Portland and then staying on to attend Reed College.