Summer Cruise Blog -5

Here is an update on the long cruise; it will be updated as internet connectivity allows:

August 27

We said farewell to the Andersons and Pywells today as they headed back home. The five remaining boat crews explored the Farmer's Market and "Sand City," an annual sand sculpture event. And we're not talking about small sculptures here. VERY big...and intricate. The teams spend hours packing and soaking the sand so it is the right consistency. Then they stack and sculpt, often using large wood molds as a base. We learned that the sculptures can last as long as 2-3 weeks, firming up as they dry. Yet, rain doesn't wash them away, either. It was really wonderful to see the teams working together.

Big Brivet was the venue for the final event, which was sweetened by the presentation of lovely flowers, a card, and wine to Larry and I. We were so touched. After dinner, we played a game, Right, Left, Center, that Millie Grayson brought and for a while she was ahead of us all. But the frog luck kicked in and I ended up with the pot. What a perfect ending to a fun cruise with absolutely wonderful people!  

Tomorrow we go our special and different ways with stories you won't read on this blog, but may be able to weasle out of  the Alvigs, Andersons, Bakers, Carlisles, Dubias, Graysons,Knutsens,McCroskeys, Pywells, Randolphs, Vaughns, and Wilsons.

Or, then again ,maybe not.  All we know is that we really enjoyed ourselves and especially enjoyed the great people we were privileged to cruise with. Thank you.

August 24-26

From blistering hot to blustery cool, we've made the voyage from Jarrell Cove to Olympia.

As has been the "norm" for this trip, things worked out well at Jarrell, and we ALL got onto the dock.

Rich and Chris McCroskey helped cool us down with some homemade margaritas, supplemented by our "pu pus'. MaryLouise Alvig introduced me (Dorothy) and Barb Knutsen to kyacking, while Chris McC tried a 3-mile walk around the cove, and LuAnne Anderson searched for photographic moments.. Most of the day was lazy and we hid from the heat until weinie roast time last night.

We  rented a covered pavilion and BBQ area that was perfect for our group. It also incluced a horseshoe pit, which the guys put to good use. After hot dogs, potatoe salad, chips, and s'mores, we waddled back to the dock for a beautiful, calm night.

We awoke to clouds and the start of wind, which stayed with us on our passage to Olympia -- 15 to 25 knots  easily, but fairly flat seas. Millie and Bill Grayson experienced a battery problem which delayed their departure and we gathered at their slip and cheered and sang when they joined us hours later.

Tonight we walked to Anthony's Hearthside Grill for their happy hour. Andersons and Pywells will leave us early tomorrow morning.The rest of us will explore the Farmer's Market and other Olympia sites. We'll come together for one last potluck featuring Farmers' Market discoveries tomorrow night, then say goodbye on Saturday to head north.

August 19-21

Off to Jarrell's Cove today. Hot dog roast tomorrow.

Watch out for Rich McCroskey and Millie Grayson on the bocci ball court. They creamed the crop in a tournament yesterday here at Fair Harbor. We're planning a rematch.

Our cruise has included great potlucks, dinner at Tides Tavern (we were seated immediately!), and crab, caught by Mark andSheri Pywell, who joined us at Filuchy Bay. Barb and Larry Knutsen met us at Fair Harbor. We said good bye to Bakers on Choppers, Vaughns on WarpSpeed, and Randolphs on High Tide. Our fleet now numbers 7.

Arabella's was able to get us all in at Gig Harbor. We anchored and rafted at Filuchy Bay -- a beautiful, calm night. We're hoping we can get on the dock at Jarrell Cove. We'll see...it's warming up, but ther good news is that it is Tuesday (I think).

August 17-18

Greetings from Dock Street Marina in Tacoma! We took over the shady part of the dock Tuesday night for a get together, with the goal of finishing off the left over salmon from the BBQ. We did.After exploring ther various museums and downtown area, we met around 5ish last night to venture to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. New members Jim and Jeanne Miller and their son, Josh, drove many of us and joined us for dinner.Today, we venture to Gig Harbor -- most boats are staying at Arabella's, instead of anchoring, but not the Carlilses on Escargot, who left us today.. We'll say good byer to Hey Jude today. It's drizzly.

August 15-19

We started out with a salmon BBQ for 36 at the outstation Sunday. Most folks ate outside to escape the heat. Monday presented flat seas for our cruise to Des Moines, where we went our various ways for dinner.Our fleet right now consists of Big Brivet, Hey Jude, DelicaSea, Warp Speed, Wish Giver, Aqua Amo, Escargot, High Time, Choppers, and Moonriver.  Some boats will leave; others will join.