september: dockton and home
Date: September 27, 2017
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 4:55 p.m.
Cruise From: Kingston
Cruise To: Dockton, Vashon Island
Engine Hours Start: 728
Engine Hours Finish: 734
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, like a summer day! Mid 70's.
It's like a summer morning, sunny and heating up. We take shore showers, followed by a walk to the main street of Kingston for coffee and scones. The number of seagulls in the marina, especially on a roof (over a Ranger Tug!) amaze us.
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 4:55 p.m.
Cruise From: Kingston
Cruise To: Dockton, Vashon Island
Engine Hours Start: 728
Engine Hours Finish: 734
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, like a summer day! Mid 70's.
It's like a summer morning, sunny and heating up. We take shore showers, followed by a walk to the main street of Kingston for coffee and scones. The number of seagulls in the marina, especially on a roof (over a Ranger Tug!) amaze us.
Dan meets the crew of the brand new Suquamish research vessel and teaches them how to use the pumpout. He knows one of the team members. And, we meet our neighbors, Gary and Shari, on the sailboat "Abby Normal" from Tacoma. They moor the boat in Gig Harbor and arrived after dark last night. They have stories to tell about some rough cruising with wakes from large vessels yesterday.
Once again we are underway, with fog to the east and Mt. Rainier barely visible in the haze. The water sparkles in the sunlight.
We cruise through lovely Agate Pass, go under the bridge, and continue along the west shore of Bainbridge Island and into Rich Passage.
Just out of Rich Passage, Mt. Rainier rises over Blake Island. We pass Manchester and get a view of the skyline of Seattle in the distance.
We opt for Colvos Passage. The winds have kicked up the water, and we expect smoother cruising on the west side of Vashon Island. Traffic is light, but we pass a few barges loaded with gravel making their way north.
Mt. Rainier comes into view once again as we round the southern tip of Vashon. Then, we play a guessing game with the ferry. Is it leaving? Yes. No, it backs up to the dock again. What is going on? Then, an aid car comes down the dock with flashing lights and is boarded. Finally the ferry departs, helping at least one passenger get to a hospital.
We turn into Quartermaster Harbor, making our way to the park at Dockton, where there is plenty of moorage space available today. The Captain goes for a spin on his folding bike while I enjoy the dock and shoreside park.
Photos from the bike ride:
Photos from the dock and park:
Find Dan!
We meet the crew of Olive Oyl, a 1947 wooden boat from Gig Harbor, before we prepare our final dinner of this September cruise. We have saved steaks to grill for this ocassion. With fresh green beans and instant mashed potatoes, we eat well.
The evening is so calm, the light gradually fades to darkness as a heron fishes from the dock.
Date: September 28, 2017
Time Start: 8:05 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Dockton, Vashon Island
Cruise To: Swantown, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 734
Engine Hours Finish: 738
Weather/sea conditions: Clear, sunny, calm, warm.
Dew is on the deck of NORTH STAR as we cross the waters of Quartermaster Harbor this morning, the water like a polished mirror as the sun begins to warm the day.
Time Start: 8:05 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Dockton, Vashon Island
Cruise To: Swantown, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 734
Engine Hours Finish: 738
Weather/sea conditions: Clear, sunny, calm, warm.
Dew is on the deck of NORTH STAR as we cross the waters of Quartermaster Harbor this morning, the water like a polished mirror as the sun begins to warm the day.
Fishing must be great at Pt. Defiance, as the water is busy with seals popping their heads up and arching their backs as they dive. The seagulls are here for the feasting, too. And just beyond, the Narrows is all ours today!
Our definition of South Sound is when we have passed under the Narrows bridges. And here we are, back in our home waters! Familiar sights surround us. We pass Eagle Island where all of the mooring buoys and the beaches are empty. The seals must be out fishing today. Then, Anderson Island and the familiar route, as we grow closer and closer to Olympia.
It's days like this that make South Sound boating such a joy. Calm water, sun, mountain views, oh my, just beautiful. And just like that, we are home. We stop at the brand new fuel and pump out dock at Swantown, our first time to use them, and then tuck NORTH STAR back into her slip. Once again, we have had a stellar cruise.