gig harbor in winter
Date: February 9, 2020
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 3 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Gig Harbor
Engine Hours Start: 1141
Engine Hours Finish: 1145
Weather/sea conditions: Foggy a.m. with clouds, clearing and warming from low 30's to low 40's
IT'S TIME! OUR FIRST CRUISE OF 2020! Fog lifts and clouds burn off to reveal patches of blue sky as we prepare to head out on our first cruise of this new decade. A pair of cormorants on adjoining finger piers across from our boat are spreading their wings, soaking in the beauty of this day, too. After a wet, gloomy January that actually set records for rainfall and darkness, this day is a treat to savor and enjoy.
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 3 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Gig Harbor
Engine Hours Start: 1141
Engine Hours Finish: 1145
Weather/sea conditions: Foggy a.m. with clouds, clearing and warming from low 30's to low 40's
IT'S TIME! OUR FIRST CRUISE OF 2020! Fog lifts and clouds burn off to reveal patches of blue sky as we prepare to head out on our first cruise of this new decade. A pair of cormorants on adjoining finger piers across from our boat are spreading their wings, soaking in the beauty of this day, too. After a wet, gloomy January that actually set records for rainfall and darkness, this day is a treat to savor and enjoy.
With sun warming us, water like glass, and the most blue sky we have seen in a long time, we glide across Budd Bay on a pretty fantastic February day.
Near Johnson Point, we are awed by the number of porpoises arching all around us. They are so quick, all you get is a brief glimpse of their dorsal fins and backs glistening in the sun. They move so swiftly that it is impossible to photograph them, but enjoy them we do!
We are taking our usual route north to the Narrows. In the Toliva Shoal area we keep our eyes peeled for drifting logs. Recent high tides have resulted in a large accumulation of debris that includes driftwood, logs, and even an entire tree.
We transit the Narrows with a three knot current against us. It slows us a bit, but we are much faster than the tug and gravel barge that is also passing under the bridges. The water is a lovely deep green today.
We are taking our usual route north to the Narrows. In the Toliva Shoal area we keep our eyes peeled for drifting logs. Recent high tides have resulted in a large accumulation of debris that includes driftwood, logs, and even an entire tree.
We transit the Narrows with a three knot current against us. It slows us a bit, but we are much faster than the tug and gravel barge that is also passing under the bridges. The water is a lovely deep green today.
We make our way to the Jerisich Public Dock in Gig Harbor, thinking there will be plenty of space on a Sunday afternoon in winter. We are so wrong! With the exception of a spot close to shore at the shallow end of the dock that is the perfect size for us, the dock is full. It turns out that a group of boats have gathered here for an afternoon birthday party. A lot of kids are enjoying pizza and birthday cake on the dock.
There is enough daylight for us to enjoy a walk while the sun still shines. What a difference this visit is from our previous visits. (See Gig Harbor September 12, 2019.) Kayaks are missing, and Skansie Park is quiet, the net shed is closed. But, there are still lots of people walking and walking their dogs along this scenic shoreline. And, the late afternoon scenery is stunning. Even Mt. Rainier can be seen through the boats.
By evening, only a few boats are left on the dock to spend the night. We walk to The Tides, Gig Harbor's iconic pub and fish and chips place, for our dinner.
The moon, a full "super snow" moon, lights up the sky as we make our way back to NORTH STAR. It's going to be a cold night, in the low 30's, and we keep the heater going all night.
Date: February 10, 2020
Time Start: 12:15 p.m.
Time Finish: 4:20 p.m.
Cruise From: Gig Harbor
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympi
Engine Hours Start: 1146
Engine Hours Finish: 1150
Weather/sea conditions: Chilly, gray morning (35 degrees at 9 a.m.), calm
Just three pleasure boats are on the dock this morning, along with a geoduck harvesting vessel. We visit with our neighbors on Camelot II from Tacoma and Northern Sunrise from Homer, Alaska (a new American Tug, and we met the owners at the Seattle Boat Show in January!). We cross the street to Java and Clay for lattes before Dan fixes a late pancake breakfast for us.
Time Start: 12:15 p.m.
Time Finish: 4:20 p.m.
Cruise From: Gig Harbor
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympi
Engine Hours Start: 1146
Engine Hours Finish: 1150
Weather/sea conditions: Chilly, gray morning (35 degrees at 9 a.m.), calm
Just three pleasure boats are on the dock this morning, along with a geoduck harvesting vessel. We visit with our neighbors on Camelot II from Tacoma and Northern Sunrise from Homer, Alaska (a new American Tug, and we met the owners at the Seattle Boat Show in January!). We cross the street to Java and Clay for lattes before Dan fixes a late pancake breakfast for us.
Before we know it the morning is gone and it is time to head for home. Clouds have lifted like a curtain, giving us a view of Mt. Rainier.
There is a quiet kind of beauty in the Narrows today, and it seems that we are the only boat!
It's amazing how well the two bridges over the Narrows blend together, the old and the new, seeming almost like one bridge.
The Narrows Marina (a good place to stop for fuel and even a meal on the dock), and Day Island are familiar spots to us. As we continue into South Sound waters, the skies are dramatic with bands of dark clouds and blue skies.
And then, one of our favorite sights, the view of Mt. Rainier from little Eagle Island.
The sun is in our faces as we approach Olympia, but we have a bizarre band of dark clouds behind us that look almost like a tidal wave ready to devour us and everything in its path!
NORTH STAR is safely in her berth. While the captain gives her a final rinse, I snap a few end of day photos in the marina, enjoying the lighting of the setting winter sun.
Olympia has an active year-round rowing program. The rowers have returned from their workout, and are busy getting their shells and equipment moved from the water to the oar house. It is always a colorful and busy scene, one of the highlights of our marina.
And there is NORTH STAR, nestled snugly between the other boats. Can you find her? Such a treasure, she enriches our lives in so many ways! And so our first cruise of the year, of the new decade, comes to an end. Let's hope there will be many more to come!