Our First Raft-Up!

In late July we decided to head to Gig Harbor for a couple of days with our friends Ted and Carolyn.  We were hoping for free space on the Public Dock, but no such luck.  So Bill and Ted took the leap and rafted our two boats together.  We had already anchored when they arrived, so Ted had to manuever into place so we could walk from boat to boat!  Between plenty of fenders and plenty of ties, it worked fine.  We always enjoy going to Gig Harbor... with a beading store, a quilting store, a marine store, and lots of other interesting places to shop, it's a good thing we don't live there!!!

The Wonders of Nature Abound

On a clear day, we can see Mt. Rainier from our boat in Chinook Landing Marina, Tacoma, WA.  It is odd to drive down the street and see Volcano Evacuation Route signs, but after the incident with Mt. Saint Helens it is a real concern.  With the unusually cold winter and spring this year, this summer is running about 15 degrees cooler than normal.... brrr. 

After we left Bellingham we headed west to the San Juan Islands, the American part of the numerous islands between the mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia.  We anchored out for three nights and then headed back 'home' again, knowing that we would be back to explore some more.  While we were anchored off Sucia Island, Alice saw this bald eagle in flight and followed it to the uppermost branches of this evergreen tree... a nest? Who knows, but a rest perch, for sure!

There were NO harbor seals on the breakwater during the 4th of July celebrations (300 boats in the bay plus three full marinas) but when we returned to Poulsbo recently the seals were numerous.  There were several babies and this appeared to be the very newest of the bunch.  It appears the poor thing is chained down, but, actually, the chains hold huge logs together and this is where they love to lie out in the sun.  In some areas they are considered nuisances, since they catch and eat salmon trying to return to spawn.

Water, Water Everywhere...

We traveled to Bellingham, at the base of snow-covered Mt. Baker, to see Owen and Melinda who had flown in from San Diego for his family's annual reunion.  We enjoyed the opportunity of visiting with his parents and his sisters and their families.
Returning from Bellingham, we came across this magnificent sailing vessel, replete with all sails billowing.  The crew must have been training, as they were not on a direct course anywhere, but rather crossed our bow and then paralleled the coastline of the island seen behind.

We spent nearly a week in Poulsbo on the Olympic Peninsula during the 4th of July holiday time.  Our friends Ted and Carolyn were in the marina there, while we anchored out.  One day, as we were sitting on Ted and Carolyn's boat, we noticed this Viking crew rowing around Liberty Bay!  Replete with their Viking helmets, they were a fitting display, as Poulsbo was founded by the Norwegians over a hundred years ago.  The Sons of Norway Lodge is an impressive building on the waterfront and the local bakeries beckon with their wonderful wares!

Alice noticed one canoe approaching our marina in Tacoma one day.  Soon there was another and then another! Eventually there were numerous Indian long canoes converging on our Indian-run marina.  The tribal members in the photo above are from the Lummi Indian Tribe of Bellingham.  Some of them may be Owen's parents' neighbors since they live on the Lummi Reservation.  It turned out that we were witnessing the annual Indian journey- a joint venture by various tribes from western Washington.  What a neat way to pass on their heritage to the younger generation.

This shot of Ted and Carolyn's boat 'Coronautus' was taken as they approached the public dock in Gig Harbor.  This was the first place we visited after we had settled into the marina in Tacoma.  It is a darling little town with many waterfront shops and a lovely ambience.  We caught the Gig Harbor fever and will be going there periodically since it is only an
hour by boat from our marina.

Because Puget Sound and the islands directly north are so heavily populated, the ferries run back and forth at a steady pace.  Since they move very quickly and we move very slowly we must be careful to avoid getting caught in the path of one of them, as they do not want to stop for anyone.  After all, they have a schedule to keep!  Notice the identical ends... they do not even turn around during their runs... they don't have to~