new docks at dockton
Date: September 6, 2022
Time Start: 12:20 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Dockton King County Park, Vashon Island
Engine Hours Start: 1468
Engine Hours Finish: 1473
Weather/sea Conditions: Still summer! Sunny, mud 70's, north wind in afternoon
It's the day after Labor Day, and few boats are out on this beautiful cruising day. The water is calm and glassy, the mountains clear. We get a stunning view of Mt. Rainier from Johnson Point as we make our way north for a visit to Vashon Island's Dockton Park. We haven't been there for several years as the marina has been closed after a storm destroyed the mooring docks. The marina is now open with new docks installed, although the breakwater still needs replacing.
Time Start: 12:20 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Dockton King County Park, Vashon Island
Engine Hours Start: 1468
Engine Hours Finish: 1473
Weather/sea Conditions: Still summer! Sunny, mud 70's, north wind in afternoon
It's the day after Labor Day, and few boats are out on this beautiful cruising day. The water is calm and glassy, the mountains clear. We get a stunning view of Mt. Rainier from Johnson Point as we make our way north for a visit to Vashon Island's Dockton Park. We haven't been there for several years as the marina has been closed after a storm destroyed the mooring docks. The marina is now open with new docks installed, although the breakwater still needs replacing.
We circle the south side of little Eagle Island and notice that there is no longer a buoy on the eastern side. The resident seals are tucked in under the trees on the shore of the island, and several swim out when they hear our boat. We give them space as we continue on to the Narrows.
We hit the Narrows just as slack water begins, cruise by Point Defiance, and head to Vashon's Quartermaster Harbor.
We didn't need to worry about space on the dock at Dockton. However, the newly built slips are made for shorter boats. One side is too short for us and the other side of the slips barely work for us. We are 30 feet overall. Longer boats need to tie up to the old breakwater for now or on the outside of the long edge of the new dock. Parts of the breakwater aren't safe and are no longer in use
There is a new swim dock in the same spot as the old one. All of the shore facilities are the same as in our visits in the past, but work is ongoing to keep improving the park. A new playground is slated for next year.
Evening is beautiful, and several seals provide entertainment as they repeatedly climb onto the docks and slip back into the water or even board some of the empty dinghies tied to the docks. One seal is too lazy for the action and just basks in the setting sun.
Date: September 7, 2022
Docton layover day
Weather: Sun, upper 60's, north winds
We are really enjoying this King County park. A work crew is here this morning taking care of detail repairs. It is truly a local park with people coming and leaving throughout the day. Boats get launched, dinghies head out to anchored boats, dogs get walked, families bring kids for play time. The park has just the right kind of friendly vibes. We enjoy talking with everyone we meet. And there is more to the park than just the shore. The forested uplands have miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikes.
Docton layover day
Weather: Sun, upper 60's, north winds
We are really enjoying this King County park. A work crew is here this morning taking care of detail repairs. It is truly a local park with people coming and leaving throughout the day. Boats get launched, dinghies head out to anchored boats, dogs get walked, families bring kids for play time. The park has just the right kind of friendly vibes. We enjoy talking with everyone we meet. And there is more to the park than just the shore. The forested uplands have miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikes.
The park was built decades ago during the depression years and has been a continual part of the local community and it's history. A dry dock for large ships marked the beginning of the small town as workers moved to the island. The park displays the bell that rang the hours for the dry dock workers. It also has a monument made of shards of pottery collected from the local beaches. Residents signed their names on many of the pottery pieces found in the monument.
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We experience a tide low enough to leave the boat launch ramp and dock high and dry. And around the slips in the marina the water is thick with schools of anchovies.
Seals return to the marina for play time on the finger piers. Our mellow seal isn't a participant, even the dock heron can't stir it to any action. It's like a cat, a sun worshiper.
It's windy for our sunset stroll ashore.
The sunset colors arrive, and the supportive arches along the derelict breakwater add just the right foreground for some photos. A lone heron is on the prowl for its dinner. It's a beautiful time of day.
