The Cruise That Was Not Meant To Be
Every other year, we spend the week between Christmas and New Years on Karma. The off year we spend in Girdwood Alaska skiing. 2011 was the year of Karma. Our plans were to set sail from Stimsons Marina on December 26th at 5:00 am. This was not to be. The weather gods had blessed the PNW with some incredible weather for three weeks prior. Which, as any boater knows, the bad weather is right around the corner!
The morning of the 26th, I rose at 4:30 am and checked the weather. It was not to be. The winds were blowing out of the south at 35 knots with wind wave of five to six feet. I quickly sent an email to Gail and Patrick in Salt Springs Island letting them know we would not be leaving port that day and promptly went back to bed.
When we rise at 7:30 (late by our standards), the winds are still blowing hard and the skies are dark and heavy with cloud cover. We decide that today in not going to be the day that we head out on the water. We call Bob and Nita to let them know we are not coming to Anacortes. Bob suggests we come anyway, just do it by land! Great plan! We load ourselves up in our "land yacht" and head north on I-5.
While the weather has not cooperated with our intended trip north, we still had a great time visiting with fellow Tugnutters last evening in the lovely home of Bob and Nita in Anacortes. Our Trip just had to be done at 70 MPH on the interstate.
Joining us were:
Gail and Patrick of "That's It"
Jim and Buzzy of "Carpe Diem"
Cary and Pat of "Auklet"
Randy and Ida of "Adventurer"
Thank you Bob and Nita for having us all to your home for a great evening!
Tuesday 12/27/11:
The weather appears to be giving us a window to head south. The winds are easing in South Sound while continuing to blow at 30 knots just north of us in Kingston. We slip our lines and head to the lock. Locking through was uneventful as there was no other traffic. We head to Blake Island with the idea that tomorrow we will head for Gig Harbor. This is not to be. This evening another strong front comes through bringing heavy rain and wind. Karma tugs all night at her lines as the wind is blowing over 30 knots.
We spent two nights at Blake Island listening to the driving wind and rain beating down on Karma, the wind has finally lets up and the rain has stopped. We make the decision to try going north one more time. I check the Washington State Ferry Weather which shows you up to date winds and temp. All looks good! 8 to 10 knot winds out of the south.
We depart Blake at 7:30 am headed for Hat Island to hook up with John and Laurie Gray. As we approached West Point, the winds begin to build as well as the seas. By the time we were just north of West Point the winds were back up to 20+ knots with a forecast indicating continued strengthening through out the day. Going north is no longer an option. We make the decision to try to get to Poulsbo and spend a couple of days there. Crossing from the Shilshole to Port Madison was very lumpy and rolly. Just as we approached Port Madison a text come's in from Lyman, "come to Leavenworth and play with Boomer" it says. I look at Maureen and make a turn to starboard. It is back across the shipping lanes to the lock and onto Stimsons.
After getting Karma settled and all of the salt washed off, it was off by land yacht (one way to describe a one ton Dodge Dually....) to Lake Wenachee! We spend two night with the Boyds at their cabin on the Lake watching the snow fall! What a great two days.
The morning of the 26th, I rose at 4:30 am and checked the weather. It was not to be. The winds were blowing out of the south at 35 knots with wind wave of five to six feet. I quickly sent an email to Gail and Patrick in Salt Springs Island letting them know we would not be leaving port that day and promptly went back to bed.
When we rise at 7:30 (late by our standards), the winds are still blowing hard and the skies are dark and heavy with cloud cover. We decide that today in not going to be the day that we head out on the water. We call Bob and Nita to let them know we are not coming to Anacortes. Bob suggests we come anyway, just do it by land! Great plan! We load ourselves up in our "land yacht" and head north on I-5.
While the weather has not cooperated with our intended trip north, we still had a great time visiting with fellow Tugnutters last evening in the lovely home of Bob and Nita in Anacortes. Our Trip just had to be done at 70 MPH on the interstate.
Joining us were:
Gail and Patrick of "That's It"
Jim and Buzzy of "Carpe Diem"
Cary and Pat of "Auklet"
Randy and Ida of "Adventurer"
Thank you Bob and Nita for having us all to your home for a great evening!
Tuesday 12/27/11:
The weather appears to be giving us a window to head south. The winds are easing in South Sound while continuing to blow at 30 knots just north of us in Kingston. We slip our lines and head to the lock. Locking through was uneventful as there was no other traffic. We head to Blake Island with the idea that tomorrow we will head for Gig Harbor. This is not to be. This evening another strong front comes through bringing heavy rain and wind. Karma tugs all night at her lines as the wind is blowing over 30 knots.
We spent two nights at Blake Island listening to the driving wind and rain beating down on Karma, the wind has finally lets up and the rain has stopped. We make the decision to try going north one more time. I check the Washington State Ferry Weather which shows you up to date winds and temp. All looks good! 8 to 10 knot winds out of the south.
We depart Blake at 7:30 am headed for Hat Island to hook up with John and Laurie Gray. As we approached West Point, the winds begin to build as well as the seas. By the time we were just north of West Point the winds were back up to 20+ knots with a forecast indicating continued strengthening through out the day. Going north is no longer an option. We make the decision to try to get to Poulsbo and spend a couple of days there. Crossing from the Shilshole to Port Madison was very lumpy and rolly. Just as we approached Port Madison a text come's in from Lyman, "come to Leavenworth and play with Boomer" it says. I look at Maureen and make a turn to starboard. It is back across the shipping lanes to the lock and onto Stimsons.
After getting Karma settled and all of the salt washed off, it was off by land yacht (one way to describe a one ton Dodge Dually....) to Lake Wenachee! We spend two night with the Boyds at their cabin on the Lake watching the snow fall! What a great two days.
Winter at Lake Wenatchee
Friday, 12/31/11:
We depart from Lake Wenatchee at 11:00 am headed back to Seattle. We will join Bruce and Vickie for dinner and then off to a New Years Eve party at their friends Jason and Susan. They have a beautiful condo in downtown Seattle on the 36th floor of the Hyatt. What a great view all around. The Space Needle is due north of their location. The fireworks display should prove to be incredible!
We are not disappointed. The fireworks go off right on time at the stroke of midnight! They shoot up from the base as well as falling from the top! The show lasts for eight minutes and proves to be better than expected! What a way to bring in the New Year! Great friends, great location, with a great show right outside of Jason and Susan's window!
Saturday, 1/1/12:
We wake this morning to a beautiful blue sky. The breeze is light and out of the south. We cast off our lines and head for Andrews Bay on Lake Washington. Our cruise takes us through Lake Union and then past the University of Washington.
When we arrive in Andrews Bay, we are in the company of only one other boat. What a contrast to what you will find in the summer months when you can expect to find as many as 100 boats anchored here!
We spend the afternoon sitting in the cockpit basking in the warmth of late afternoon sun. Wow! Can it get any better than this? I think not.
By the time the sun sets, three other boats have dropped their hooks in the bay. We settle in for a nice quiet evening.
Morning brings high clouds and a light breeze. We enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then head back to Stimsons. Maureen fly's back to Denver this afternoon.
While our original plans of hitting the outer San Juan Islands is sidetracked by strong winds and rain, we still had an incredible week with some very incredible people!
We depart from Lake Wenatchee at 11:00 am headed back to Seattle. We will join Bruce and Vickie for dinner and then off to a New Years Eve party at their friends Jason and Susan. They have a beautiful condo in downtown Seattle on the 36th floor of the Hyatt. What a great view all around. The Space Needle is due north of their location. The fireworks display should prove to be incredible!
We are not disappointed. The fireworks go off right on time at the stroke of midnight! They shoot up from the base as well as falling from the top! The show lasts for eight minutes and proves to be better than expected! What a way to bring in the New Year! Great friends, great location, with a great show right outside of Jason and Susan's window!
Saturday, 1/1/12:
We wake this morning to a beautiful blue sky. The breeze is light and out of the south. We cast off our lines and head for Andrews Bay on Lake Washington. Our cruise takes us through Lake Union and then past the University of Washington.
When we arrive in Andrews Bay, we are in the company of only one other boat. What a contrast to what you will find in the summer months when you can expect to find as many as 100 boats anchored here!
We spend the afternoon sitting in the cockpit basking in the warmth of late afternoon sun. Wow! Can it get any better than this? I think not.
By the time the sun sets, three other boats have dropped their hooks in the bay. We settle in for a nice quiet evening.
Morning brings high clouds and a light breeze. We enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then head back to Stimsons. Maureen fly's back to Denver this afternoon.
While our original plans of hitting the outer San Juan Islands is sidetracked by strong winds and rain, we still had an incredible week with some very incredible people!
Poulsbo
While the sun may not be shining. The temperature may not rise above 45. A mild breeze is kicking up a light wind chop; it is still a great day to be out on the waters of Puget Sound!
We departed Stimsons at 10:30 this morning with our original destination being Andrews Bay on Lake Washington. Instead of going to port at the end of the fairway, we go starboard and head for the locks. We experience a minor delay while waiting for a couple of tugs to guide a 150’ fishing boat into the large locks. Luckily for us, we are instructed to head into the small lock.
We share the lock with a larger older Chris Craft and a Catalina 25 Sailboat. The ride “down” is uneventful, as we have now done this a number of times. We exit the lock to find that the tugs and fishing boat have already exited the large lock. We make our way around the tugs and fishing boat and head out into the sound.
We point our bow at Port Madison and Agate Passage with our sights set on spending the night in Poulsbo. We have not returned to Poulsbo since our outing with John and Laurie on the Laurie Ann, Craig and Kathy on Sailish Rover, and John on Red Ranger over the long Fourth of July weekend. What a party that was!
The crossing of the sound was just a bit bumpy with the light southerly breeze pushing against an incoming tide. While it was bumpy, we have seen much worse!
As we enter Liberty Bay, we glide past the Poulsbo Yacht Club where we stare in awe at a sailboat with two very large Bald Eagles perched at the top of their mast! What an incredible sight!
We make our way down to the Poulsbo City Marina where we find the marina basically empty of visiting boats. Aw, the joys of winter boating! Pick whatever slip you would like. The choices are wide open!
Once Karma was secure, I give her a quick wash down and then it is off to town. We wandered the streets for an hour or so sticking our noses into a shop or two. Upon returning to Karma, we enjoyed a nice hot Kahlua and Coffee as an afternoon treat!
Tomorrow we will make an early crossing back to Stimsons as we have an afternoon flight to Denver where we will be greeted with fresh snow that has fallen while we have enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in Poulsbo.
Ah, the joys of winter boating on Puget Sound!
We departed Stimsons at 10:30 this morning with our original destination being Andrews Bay on Lake Washington. Instead of going to port at the end of the fairway, we go starboard and head for the locks. We experience a minor delay while waiting for a couple of tugs to guide a 150’ fishing boat into the large locks. Luckily for us, we are instructed to head into the small lock.
We share the lock with a larger older Chris Craft and a Catalina 25 Sailboat. The ride “down” is uneventful, as we have now done this a number of times. We exit the lock to find that the tugs and fishing boat have already exited the large lock. We make our way around the tugs and fishing boat and head out into the sound.
We point our bow at Port Madison and Agate Passage with our sights set on spending the night in Poulsbo. We have not returned to Poulsbo since our outing with John and Laurie on the Laurie Ann, Craig and Kathy on Sailish Rover, and John on Red Ranger over the long Fourth of July weekend. What a party that was!
The crossing of the sound was just a bit bumpy with the light southerly breeze pushing against an incoming tide. While it was bumpy, we have seen much worse!
As we enter Liberty Bay, we glide past the Poulsbo Yacht Club where we stare in awe at a sailboat with two very large Bald Eagles perched at the top of their mast! What an incredible sight!
We make our way down to the Poulsbo City Marina where we find the marina basically empty of visiting boats. Aw, the joys of winter boating! Pick whatever slip you would like. The choices are wide open!
Once Karma was secure, I give her a quick wash down and then it is off to town. We wandered the streets for an hour or so sticking our noses into a shop or two. Upon returning to Karma, we enjoyed a nice hot Kahlua and Coffee as an afternoon treat!
Tomorrow we will make an early crossing back to Stimsons as we have an afternoon flight to Denver where we will be greeted with fresh snow that has fallen while we have enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in Poulsbo.
Ah, the joys of winter boating on Puget Sound!
Bell Harbor, Seattle Boat Show
The opening weekend of the Seattle Boat Show can prove tough to get a slip in Bell Harbor. I started calling three weeks prior to be told that all was full. "Patty", the Harbormaster told me though to just keep trying. So, I did. Day after day for three weeks. Finally, she said they did not have a "slip" for us but....... the could get us on the backside of the Tribal Dock. While most boats would not fit in this location, Karma was just the right size.
I departed Stimsons at 6:00 am as I wanted to arrive in Bell at high tide. There is not much water between the dock and the breakwater so I wanted all of the maneuvering room I could get.
I approached the lock under a veil of darkness as the sun had not even started to lighten the eastern horizon. The lockhands finally spied me sitting outside the gates waiting (only after shinning the spotlight on the control tower). As the lock gates began to open, the signal turned green to enter. I tied to the north wall of the lock as instructed by the lockhands. They laughed and said that not many people on pleasure boats come through at this time of day. I explained that we enjoy being on the water in the early morning as we have it all to ourselves.
Locking through was uneventful and it was now off to Bell. I rounded West Point and spied the skyline of Seattle. Nothing is more incredible than to see the new day start as the sun rises above downtown. The sky will glow a deep lavender while progressing through different shades of pink, orange, and then yellow.
I arrived at Bell right at the height of the tide giving me all the room I needed to get stern tied in. As it was, there was no need. The maneuver went off without a hitch. Once secured it was off to work (on board that is). I spent the day cleaning up emails while awaiting Maureens arrival into Seattle. We would then head off to the Seattle show to check out the new R-31.
The weather in Seattle was incredible! 60 degrees and sunny! All the while, Denver was getting buried in the first heavy snowfall of the year! And people wonder why we keep Karma in Seattle! With weather and cruising grounds like this, where else would you want to be!
I departed Stimsons at 6:00 am as I wanted to arrive in Bell at high tide. There is not much water between the dock and the breakwater so I wanted all of the maneuvering room I could get.
I approached the lock under a veil of darkness as the sun had not even started to lighten the eastern horizon. The lockhands finally spied me sitting outside the gates waiting (only after shinning the spotlight on the control tower). As the lock gates began to open, the signal turned green to enter. I tied to the north wall of the lock as instructed by the lockhands. They laughed and said that not many people on pleasure boats come through at this time of day. I explained that we enjoy being on the water in the early morning as we have it all to ourselves.
Locking through was uneventful and it was now off to Bell. I rounded West Point and spied the skyline of Seattle. Nothing is more incredible than to see the new day start as the sun rises above downtown. The sky will glow a deep lavender while progressing through different shades of pink, orange, and then yellow.
I arrived at Bell right at the height of the tide giving me all the room I needed to get stern tied in. As it was, there was no need. The maneuver went off without a hitch. Once secured it was off to work (on board that is). I spent the day cleaning up emails while awaiting Maureens arrival into Seattle. We would then head off to the Seattle show to check out the new R-31.
The weather in Seattle was incredible! 60 degrees and sunny! All the while, Denver was getting buried in the first heavy snowfall of the year! And people wonder why we keep Karma in Seattle! With weather and cruising grounds like this, where else would you want to be!
