social distance cruises
Date: April 20, 2020
Time Start: 1:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 5 p.m.
Cruise from Swantown into Budd Bay and return
Engine Hours Start: 1155
Engine Hours Finish: 1156
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny with clouds, upper 60's, nice spring day
The world is quiet, even in our marina. COVID-19 has changed lives in so many ways. Masks are worn for shopping and any place you might come into contact with others. Only essential businesses are open, schools are teaching classes on-line, and gatherings of any kind are cancelled. Those who can work from home are lucky, enormous numbers of people are now unemployed. Our calendar pages are pretty much blank for the foreseeable future. It is a somber time as this pandemic continues to take its toll.
Like everyone, we are sheltering in place at home. But, for a few hours today, we are taking a breather, a bit of time on the water, not really a cruise, but a short escape with NORTH STAR from the marina and into the waters of Budd Bay, where we can drift while enjoying our lunch aboard, soaking up the natural beauty of the world that surrounds us and feeling the healing power of being on the water. Sun, water, clouds, tree-lined shores - we breath deep and enjoy the gift of this day.
Time Start: 1:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 5 p.m.
Cruise from Swantown into Budd Bay and return
Engine Hours Start: 1155
Engine Hours Finish: 1156
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny with clouds, upper 60's, nice spring day
The world is quiet, even in our marina. COVID-19 has changed lives in so many ways. Masks are worn for shopping and any place you might come into contact with others. Only essential businesses are open, schools are teaching classes on-line, and gatherings of any kind are cancelled. Those who can work from home are lucky, enormous numbers of people are now unemployed. Our calendar pages are pretty much blank for the foreseeable future. It is a somber time as this pandemic continues to take its toll.
Like everyone, we are sheltering in place at home. But, for a few hours today, we are taking a breather, a bit of time on the water, not really a cruise, but a short escape with NORTH STAR from the marina and into the waters of Budd Bay, where we can drift while enjoying our lunch aboard, soaking up the natural beauty of the world that surrounds us and feeling the healing power of being on the water. Sun, water, clouds, tree-lined shores - we breath deep and enjoy the gift of this day.
Date: May 8, 2020
Time Start: 12:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:30 p.m.
Cruise from Swantown to Gull Harbor and return
Engine Hours Start: 1156
Engine Hours Finish: 1158
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny 80 degree day! Breezy with north winds, choppy water
As of this week, a new phase of our sheltering has begun. Recreational boats are now allowed to take short cruises, with some of the marine parks open for day use, but not for overnights. Social distancing restrictions remain in effect, with the emphasis on wearing cloth facial masks around others, keeping groups small, lots of hand washing and sanitizing - just common good sense in the face of COVID-19.
Trees ashore are lush with the fresh green growth of spring. We have been enjoying explosions of flowers in our neighborhood, and today will soak up the warmth of a sunny day on the water. There is a super low tide today (-3.0) and the surrounding mountains are crystal clear. There is so much to enjoy!
Anchored near Gull Harbor in Budd Bay, we spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the water, the breezes, the bird life (cormorants, gulls, an eagle soaring over the tree tops). The breeze is warm, the water laps at our hull, wild bird sounds fill the air. It is a sparkling, sunny day, and we are happy to be on our boat.
Time Start: 12:30 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:30 p.m.
Cruise from Swantown to Gull Harbor and return
Engine Hours Start: 1156
Engine Hours Finish: 1158
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny 80 degree day! Breezy with north winds, choppy water
As of this week, a new phase of our sheltering has begun. Recreational boats are now allowed to take short cruises, with some of the marine parks open for day use, but not for overnights. Social distancing restrictions remain in effect, with the emphasis on wearing cloth facial masks around others, keeping groups small, lots of hand washing and sanitizing - just common good sense in the face of COVID-19.
Trees ashore are lush with the fresh green growth of spring. We have been enjoying explosions of flowers in our neighborhood, and today will soak up the warmth of a sunny day on the water. There is a super low tide today (-3.0) and the surrounding mountains are crystal clear. There is so much to enjoy!
Anchored near Gull Harbor in Budd Bay, we spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the water, the breezes, the bird life (cormorants, gulls, an eagle soaring over the tree tops). The breeze is warm, the water laps at our hull, wild bird sounds fill the air. It is a sparkling, sunny day, and we are happy to be on our boat.
Date: May 10, 2020
Time Start: Noon
Time Finish: 8:30 p.m.
Cruise from Swantown to McMicken Island State Park and return
Engine Hours Start: 1158
Engine Hours Finish: 1162
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny and warm, mid 80's! Scattered clouds, breeze.
It's Mother's Day, and it is just the two of us keeping our social distance, connecting with family via the wonders of technology instead of face to face. We savor hearing from kids and grandkids, and plan to savor this day as well. How did it happen that we would have such a perfect spring day to coincide not only with Mother's Day, but also with a slight easing of distancing restrictions related to COVID-19? Day cruises are allowed as long as distancing protocol is practiced.
We enjoy the sight of other boats out on the water, It is far from crowded on Budd Bay and South Sound, each boat a contained unit of families or close friends. Blue skies, warm weather, gorgeous scenery, fresh air . . . yes!
Our anchor gets dropped next to McMicken Island State Park at the north end of Harstine Island. The low tide (-2.9) exposes the tombolo connecting the two islands, and we go ashore for some beach combing. We are back in a favorite place, excited to see the rich diversity of life on these beaches and to take in the scenic views.
We've brought along a boat picnic, grilled fresh halibut and potato salad. Happy Mother's Day! Keep distancing, everyone!
Time Start: Noon
Time Finish: 8:30 p.m.
Cruise from Swantown to McMicken Island State Park and return
Engine Hours Start: 1158
Engine Hours Finish: 1162
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny and warm, mid 80's! Scattered clouds, breeze.
It's Mother's Day, and it is just the two of us keeping our social distance, connecting with family via the wonders of technology instead of face to face. We savor hearing from kids and grandkids, and plan to savor this day as well. How did it happen that we would have such a perfect spring day to coincide not only with Mother's Day, but also with a slight easing of distancing restrictions related to COVID-19? Day cruises are allowed as long as distancing protocol is practiced.
We enjoy the sight of other boats out on the water, It is far from crowded on Budd Bay and South Sound, each boat a contained unit of families or close friends. Blue skies, warm weather, gorgeous scenery, fresh air . . . yes!
Our anchor gets dropped next to McMicken Island State Park at the north end of Harstine Island. The low tide (-2.9) exposes the tombolo connecting the two islands, and we go ashore for some beach combing. We are back in a favorite place, excited to see the rich diversity of life on these beaches and to take in the scenic views.
We've brought along a boat picnic, grilled fresh halibut and potato salad. Happy Mother's Day! Keep distancing, everyone!