Birthday Weekend

As many of you already know this past Saturday was Marissa's birthday.  We had an amazing weekend getaway (not by boat) to the Alderbrook Resort and Spa on Hood Canal.  We had a nice drive on Saturday stopping in Gig Harbor for lunch at Tides Tavern.  You could see the SYC outstation across the harbor which we both want to visit with Wayfare.  Once we arrived at the resort the sun was out and it was a beautiful day.  We checked in and went for a walk around the property before heading to the bar.  We ordered a couple of cocktails and found two chairs outside in the sun.

  

Before we knew it it was time to get ready for our private cruise aboard "Jack" a 42' Grand Banks.  Captain Lee was great and shared his knowledge of Hood Canal and the local towns.  We cruised Hood Canal for an hour or so before returning to the resort just in time for dinner.  Dinner was wonderful and the views even better.  

Sunday we headed back to Seattle via the Bremerton Ferry.  It was a sunny day on Puget Sound so we were able to stand outside on the bow of the ferry the entire time.  The ferry route goes past Blake Island, a state park with a marina and mooring buoys.  We were talking and will try to make a trip to Blake Island in the coming weeks.  

Although it wasn't planned once we got home it was just to nice to sit in the condo.  We packed a little bag and walked across the street to Wayfare.  We headed out on the lake (Lake Union) and floated for a couple of hours.  Boats are not allowed to anchor on the lake so on nice days boats just idle out to the middle, shut down the engines, and float.  The current and wind are in opposite directions most of the time so we pretty much just stay in one place, drifting slowly south towards downtown.  Some friends rafted up and joined us and Marissa went for a short paddle on her kayak.  It was the end to a perfect weekend.  

Happy Birthday Marissa!!!

Powerboat Rendezvous

In the Locks

Our first big adventure on little Wayfare (as I affectionately call her) took place this past weekend with the SYC (Seattle Yacht Club) on Bainbridge Island at Port Madison. Port Madison is one of 9 SYC outstations. We partook in our first big weekend, Powerboat Rendezvous (aka Powerboat Round-Up), since being new members of only 6 weeks. We had our cowboy hats packed and ready to go! I rushed out of work in hopes of getting to our destination at a decent time, but that was not the case. We had a successful first trip together through the Ballard Locks. For those not in the know, the Locks allow you to go from fresh water to salt water and vice versa. We got out of the locks and off we went cruising through the Puget Sound with our dinghy on back and my kayak on the swim step. Not 5 minutes out of the locks, I look back and the kayak is gone! I start yelling to Jason to turn around and get it and he asks where is the dinghy. Oops, I didn’t even look as I was more concerned about my prescious kayak that I was so excited to purchase when I moved up here. The dinghy was hanging on for dear life by one it’s stand offs. J got a line for the dingy and tied it to the boat, so now 1 item was retrieved. Now, we had to get the kayak. J gave me the boat hook to use and grab it, but I missed the first time. A few more tries later, I got it! We retrieved the kayak, layed it in the cockpit and off we went. Mission accomplished. The boat was rocking and with the swells being pretty rough, I started to feel the sea sickness coming on. Luckily, I recovered quickly. We finally arrived after having to slow down to 8 knots since we were towing the dinghy, but when we arrived we were greeted warmly, tied up, and got our drink on. The weekend was a success – filled with meeting new members, young and old. I will say that I found everyone to be very friendly and welcoming, which put me more at ease. After the weekend festivities were over, we ventured to the other side of Bainbridge Island and went to Eagle Harbor, another one of the 9 outstations. We freshened up and grabbed lunch at Doc's Bar and Grill, wandered around the town a bit, hit up an amazing candy store, and then back to the boat. We had a new member BBQ to attend at the Elliot Bay outstation. We met some more members of the club, learned more about each outstation and about how to get involved. The club affectionaly says they are a drinking club with a boating problem. I think we will fit right in :) 3 outstations in one weekend – I think we are off to a great start of exploring the PNW!

Through the Locks and heading across the Sound to Port Madison

Wayfare tied up at Port Madison

Welcome to PBR!

Cowboy Up!

View from the Island

Opening Day Week

Marissa and I had a great weekend enjoying our first Opening Day in Seattle and as new members of the Seattle Yacht Club.  The festivities started Wednesday evening May 2, 2012 with a Greenbox (Happy Hour) on Dock 2 at the Seattle Yacht Club.

On Friday evening we headed out to the Log Boom to get a spot for Saturday's crew races and parade.  Although it was a typically raining Seattle day we didn't let that get to us.  We settled in on the log boom and bbq'd some dinner.  After dinner we went for our first dinghy ride, checked out the crowd on the boom and ventured all the way into the club to check out the Dock Zero parties.  Back on board later that evening we played some dominos while the diesel heater warmed the cabin during the chilly night.

Our first dinghy ride

The weather Saturday was much better and the sun was out by the time the crew races began.  We enjoyed the races and parade before venturing in to Dock Zero for a night of festivities at SYC.  Saturday evening was spent with new friends Yacht Club hopping and a great parting at SYC.

This was truly the best Opening Day I have experienced and was a great introduction to the boating lifestyle in the PNW...

Wayfare on the Log Boom

Crew races Saturday morning

Heading to Dock Zero at SYC

View of the Log Boom

Dock Zero

Let the Journey Begin

This blog will be maintained by both Marissa and I.  We plan to share our adventures aboard our boat Wayfare, a 1990 32' Carver, as we explore the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Stay tuned...