South Sound Cruise UPDATE

Here is an update on the long cruise plans.

Important: if you are planning to go and haven't let F/C Larry Dubia know, please do so!

RESERVATIONS

We have made group reservations, but most of the marinas -- except Fair Harbor and Des Moines -- want the skippers to confirm their reservations. Here's who to call if you are planning to come to these marinas:

Marinas:

Des Moines let us know -we will make the reservation

Dock Street Marina 253-250-1906 wwwdockstreetmarina.com

Swantown Marina 360-528-8049 www.portoflympia.com

Fair Harbor -- We will make these reservations.
 

Meals

It's not a vacation if the first mate has to cook all the time, so we have scheduled some opportunities for group dinners or meals along the way. If you want to join us for any of these events , let us know so we can plan accordingly:

Blake Island (around $30 pp)

Old Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma (around $10-15 pp)

Tides Tavern in Gig via dinghy -no reservation needed (about $8-15 pp)

Jarrell Cove Old Fashion wienie roast (around $6 pp)

Fair Harbor dessert ($3 pp)

Continental "good bye" breakfast ($4 pp)

ITINERARY

The itinerary is designed so you can opt in or out at your pleasure. The only "rule" is to enjoy yourselves!

August 15 --Blake Island, with dinner at the Tillicum Village. We recommend getting there fairly early, around 11-12 to snag a spot in the marina. If space is not available in the marina, boats under 45' can take a mooring buoy on the west side of the island. Boats over 45' will need to anchor. There is great walking on Blake Island and lots of wildlife.

• Let's rendezvous at the picnic shelter about 3 p.m. for a game of Frisbee horseshoes or Boccie ball.

• Dinner is about $30, but well worth it -- great BBQ salmon dinner and native American dance show. please let us know if you plan to participate, so we can make a reservation. This will be a fairly early dinner. www.tillicumvillage.com/blakeisland

August 16 -- Des Moines Marina. The marina is in the last phases of construction, so the breakwater entrance may be narrow. www.desmoineswa.gov/dept/marina/fees

The marina offers w transportation to help us explore the town.We have made a group reservation for Des Moines, so they are expecting us. Their website says they offer slips on a first come, first serve basis. As we get more information we will pass it along. By the way, August 16, is National Joke Day. Hmmmm.

August 17-18 -- Tacoma-Dock Street Marina. This marina is steps away from the Washington State Museum and the Glass Museum.

• Be sure to take in the Hot Shop at the Glass Museum and visit the Preston Singletary exhibit: glass art in the First People's style. Fabulous! http://www.museumofglass.org/exhibitions/preston-singletary

• The Washington State Museum is comparable, in our opinion, to the BC Museum in Victoria. There are two very interesting exhibits -- one of how Washington was carved and the second on Lewis and Clark expedition.

• If you like reasonably priced spaghetti, check out the Old Spaghetti Factory; we'll plan to enjoy it the second night, early (otherwise you have to wait for-ever to get in). Let us know if this interests you and we'll make a reservation.

• Tacoma is your last diesel fuel stop until Jarrell's Cove (and most likely MUCH less expensive).

August 19-20 -- Gig Harbor. Get your anchor gear and dinghy ready, because we'll "try" to do a wagon wheel here in this very calm and protected harbor. Gig Harbor is full of interesting stores and good restaurants. We like the Green Turtle for an expensive night out or the Mexican Restaurant right across the street from Jerisich Park. And, we can't overlook Tides Tavern.

• Boccie ball anyone?

• Dinghy progressive cocktails August 19

• Dinghy parade to Tides Tavern for pizza or whatever August 20

August 21 -- Long Branch, also known as Filuchy Bay. To get to Long Branch, we'll go through Tacoma Narrows. Slack turning to flood is at 10:31 a.m. This will be another night on the 'hook" and a good time to crab, although we've caught mostly red crab here.

August 22-23 -- Fair Harbor. Adorned with flowers and host to a very creative gift shop, Fair Harbor is a beautiful marina we think of as "Roche Harbor South." The ferry museum is a unique spot to visit about 1 1/2 mile walk. We're trying to get a reservation for our group, as it only opens "on demand."

• Potluck BBQ at Fair Harbor August 23. Bring your own meat, potluck dish to share, chairs, small table and meet on the grass. Dessert will be provided ($3 pp)

Dinghy cocktail parade August 22

August 24-25 -- Jarrell Cove has a variety of moorage options: anchor, buoy, or dock (if you're lucky. Beware of the shallow water Beware of the sandbar off shore leading to the dock and be advised that it can get very shallow on the dock at low tide. We know this from tilting experience. Across from the state park is a commercial marina that offers gas,diesel, and ice cream. Oh yes, they also have a small selection of groceries and wine.

• Old fashioned weinier roast August 24

August 26-27 -- Olympia (Swantown Marina) is the site of a world-class farmer's market, coffee roaster, restaurants, and interesting shops and stops, all within walking distance. Here's another "learned from experience" tip: the red and green buoys mean business. It gets VERY shallow going into Olympia. Watch your chart.

• We've timed it so you can visit the Olympia Farmer's Market. Lots to see, buy, and eat. http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/

• If you haven't done it yet, be sure to consider the state capitol tour. It is really interesting.

http://www.ga.wa.gov/visitor/guide.htm

• Coffee lover? The Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roaster is an interesting stop. http://batdorfcoffee.com/

• Continental "good bye" breakfast aboard and around Big Brivet August 27 ($4 pp)

August 28-29 -- Goin' home, your way! We've made the trip from Olympia to the OS in 5-6 hours at 8 knots riding the ebb tide.

Looking forward to cruising with you. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Contact us at 206.300.2933 or lddubia65@msn.com

Sincerely,

F/C Larry (and Dorothy) Dubia