A Bit of Elliott Bay Marina -- 9/27/2014

With our time remaining at Elliott Bay getting short, I walk around the marina a bit to explore. Cruise ships come on Saturdays and Sundays and I enjoy hearing their horns as they prepare for departure.  The breakwater blocks some of the view of vessel traffic, but a trip to N Dock nearest their port gives me a better look.

I spend some time photographing some of my favorites....

Westerdam of Holland America

MoonShadow

Dr. Jake and MoonShadow

Salish Rover

As we reflect on our time here, we remember the friends in Seattle and greater Seattle area, as well as those who unexpectedly cross our path.

The marina campus is safe to walk in the evening, and we enjoy the welcoming of Maggie Bluff's restaurant to pets.

"Pet Parking"

Herb walks to several shops nearby, and even to Stimson and Shilshole.  (He took the bus back from Shilshole.)  

Provisions

Surprise encounter -- Jeanne and Ed

Cheryl

A walk up the ramp from our slips reveals a lovely setting of rock and plantings at high tide and clear, clear water.

From B Dock to N Dock we pass the showers, where lively music is played so you don't have to sing.

Then we get a view of Seahawks' 12th Man flag flying on the bluff overlooking the marina.

12

Oh, the wind shifts and you can read "12."

Next to Maggie Bluff's is the office, where Harbormaster Brian offers donuts and coffee every morning.

Brian

Back at our slip Herb gets a few shots of the Westerdam as she sails away, and I soon learn from Vicki that our friend Susan is aboard and takes a fabulous photo of Elliott Bay Marina.

                                                                     Elliott Bay Marina       -       Photo Courtesy of Susan Hauck-Bell

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday, September 27, 2014

My New Shirt -- 9/26/2014

Today we are delighted to have our friend and fellow Ranger Tug owner, Ray, come for dinner.  It has been weeks since we have had quality time with him and there is much news to catch up on.

I am quite taken with his shirt and a high point of conversation is learning that he crewed on Salish Rover as they left Bob and Nita's Fishermen's Terminal gathering and came out through the locks heading for Elliott Bay.

Craig and Kathy appreciated his help, and Ray enjoyed the ride, as well as a tour of the 43 ft. Nordhaven.

Salish Rover

By the time of this writing, Herb and I are proud owners of our very own Salish Rover shirts!  

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Friday, September 26, 2014

Raindrops -- 9/23/2014

In spite of the beautiful sunrise at Elliott Bay Marina, the prediction is for a chance of rain.

It rains most of the day, then all is quiet and still.

Well, most everything.

Raindrops continue to drip from the anchor after the rain.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fixing Willie's Tug -- 9/22/2014

Found in Merriam-Webster:

¹fix

 verb \ˈfiks\

: to make (something) whole or able to work properly again : to repair (something)

Found in a Southern Dictionary:Verb

1. Present participle of fix.
2. (Southern US, slang, with infinitive) Going; preparing; ready.

   It's fixing to rain.

   
   

So today according to our agenda, we are fixing to work through the punch list to fix Willie's Tug. 

The Volvo serviceman finds a small oil leak because the dip stick tube is not seated properly, and also discovers a minor crack in the heater hose.

Willie's Tug smiles.  She wants to be fixed.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, September 22, 2014

Dessert is a Good Time of Day! -- 9/21/2014

On a beautiful Indian Summer day we enjoy the sunshine and no jackets!  It is a great day to walk around and explore Elliott Bay Marina.  

The cruise ships are in port, visible from our slip, and we plan to walk up to the fly bridge of Craig and Kathy's Salish Rover for a photo of the Holland American Line's Westerdam as she departs and appears over the breakwater of the marina in the late afternoon.

Salish Rover and Willie's Tug

However, we get more interested in our slip mates' visit for Happy Hour and dinner.  It is good to see them again and we have time to catch up on each other's comings and goings since we saw them at the Ranger Rendezvous in early September.

After dinner, Kathy invites us to their boat, where she serves a delicious, decadent dessert.  No one goes to bed hungry!

Ah, Chocolate!

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Find Willie's Curls -- 9/17/2014

My last haircut was in July at Rudy's Barbershop in Ballard, after which we cruised Willie's Tug northward for several weeks.  I never found time to search for a shop, so my curls grew and grew. 

Just when I can stand it no longer, we arrive in Seattle and find our way to Rudy's in Belltown.  As Herb sits in the balcony waiting area, he sneaks a photo of me losing my curls.

After a nice refreshing coffee, we walk past one of our favorite buildings for a photo op.

Find Willie's curls....

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Indian Summer Sunset -- 9/16/2014

Indian Summer, please come back to Salish Rover and Willie's Tug at Elliott Bay....

                                                                        Photo courtesy of Walldog, Herb Stark

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Elliott Bay -- 9/15/2014

Bruce takes MoonShadow out of the Port of Kingston harbor at 9:20A on flat calm waters, leaving Apple Cove soon to enter Puget Sound to travel to our destination of his home port, Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle.

Staying to the west of the shipping lanes, we cruise on swells from wakes, with seas one foot or less north of Port Madison.  Skippers increase speed to 12 knots to cross the traffic lanes at the point where we can go straight across and minimize the time in the lanes.  Now we are pointed straight toward Elliott Bay.

My heart sings as I see what may be the entrance to the Locks and Ray's Boathouse Restaurant, then cruise by West Point to get a nice view of Seattle and its ships.

West Point

Good Times II with Tourists

420 ft. US Coast Guard Cutter, Healy

Adventuress

Soon Willie's Tug is safe and secure at the dock and transient neighbors with Kathy and Craig's Salish Rover.

I enjoy the brilliance and Autumn golden beauty of a tree by the marina office, as Herb goes in to register our stay.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, September 15, 2014