Stella Maris
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,500
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
- Vessel Name
- Destiny
We had not gone through the locks since I along with the help of Bruce and Vickie, brought Destiny down to her new home in early July. We figured it was time to spend a couple of days up in the fresh water to cleanse the bottom of any saltwater growth that may have occurred.
Since we made an early departure from Shilshole, our lock up went smoothly. Normally you will have little traffic to contend with before eight o’clock. And, once again, this holds true. Once clear of the lock, we motor slowly down through the ship canal past all of the various tugs, barges, and fishing boats you will see along the way. It always amazes me when I look at these craft and wonder what far off destinations they have traveled to and from.
Once we entered Lake Union it was a matter of dodging all of the crew teams out practicing along with the Seaplanes taking off and landing. While you would think morning is quiet on the lake, it is with the exception of these two types of crafts. The crew teams are out since the boaters are not. The seaplanes are once again starting up their daily operations.
We motored under the I-5 overpass and into Portage Bay, home of the Seattle Yacht Club as well as Queen City. What a glorious day to be out. A light breeze, the glow of the early morning sun, a small contingent of sailing prams out plying the waters.
As we approach Montauk Cut, we once again have to be vigilant of the crew teams practicing. Once we reach the east end of the cut and enter Union Bay, we now have to dodge the rental canoes and kayaks. I liken it to a bunch of kids running across the highway. They depart the university heading to the maze of canals on the south shore without a care in the world that there are much larger watercraft plying these same waters.
Once clear of the cut, we continue out through the bay and into Lake Washington. We make our way south for five miles and into Andrews Bay.
As we approach Andrews Bay, we can clearly see that there are already at least two dozen boats anchored. We carefully make our way toward the south eastern corner of the bay hoping to find the ideal location to drop our hook. When we don’t find a suitable location here, we move back out toward the mouth of the bay and select a location on the eastern shore.
By three pm, the bay is filled with well over 75 boats. Many of these are just small runabouts out for the day. Once it begins to cool off (yes, cool off, the temp today hit 80 degrees here in Andrews Bay!) many of these small boats will depart for the evening.
While Andrews Bay is an interesting place to hang on the hook with great views and all, we decide it is not a place we would want to spend another Saturday evening, With all the small boats battling for the “best stereo prize”, it is not the serene location we prefer. Winters here are great though. We spent a night on Karma in this bay last year and shared it with just one other vessel.
The sunset is absolutely beautiful from here. As you look west, you are looking at the backside of Seattle as the sun slowly sinks behind the trees on shore lighting the skyscrapers aglow with orange and red hues.
Just as the drops below the horizon, a very large motor yacht comes into the bay. It seems that it has a live DJ on board. There must be fifty people aboard singing and dancing. We assume that they are just passing through the bay while they party. Oh no, we are wrong. They drop their hook and hang in the bay with the rest of us….. Again, great place to visit in the winter……
Finally at eleven, I hear the large party yacht motor by. The music still blaring. It is amazing that people think it is their right to pull into such a location, blast their music till eleven, and then leave……
We awoke this morning to cloudy skies with a light breeze out of the north.
Since Maureen has a three o’clock flight back to Denver, we pull the anchor up at 8:15 am and start making our way back to Shilshole. By the time we reach the lock, the sun is shining and the breeze has basically blown itself out. As we drop down in the small lock, we pull the covers on the fly bridge and move “upstairs” for the rest of the short journey to Shilshole.
Other than the noisy neighbors, we had another great weekend on Destiny.
Our next journey will find us hanging on the hook in a great little nook on Rich Passage!
Since we made an early departure from Shilshole, our lock up went smoothly. Normally you will have little traffic to contend with before eight o’clock. And, once again, this holds true. Once clear of the lock, we motor slowly down through the ship canal past all of the various tugs, barges, and fishing boats you will see along the way. It always amazes me when I look at these craft and wonder what far off destinations they have traveled to and from.
Once we entered Lake Union it was a matter of dodging all of the crew teams out practicing along with the Seaplanes taking off and landing. While you would think morning is quiet on the lake, it is with the exception of these two types of crafts. The crew teams are out since the boaters are not. The seaplanes are once again starting up their daily operations.
We motored under the I-5 overpass and into Portage Bay, home of the Seattle Yacht Club as well as Queen City. What a glorious day to be out. A light breeze, the glow of the early morning sun, a small contingent of sailing prams out plying the waters.
As we approach Montauk Cut, we once again have to be vigilant of the crew teams practicing. Once we reach the east end of the cut and enter Union Bay, we now have to dodge the rental canoes and kayaks. I liken it to a bunch of kids running across the highway. They depart the university heading to the maze of canals on the south shore without a care in the world that there are much larger watercraft plying these same waters.
Once clear of the cut, we continue out through the bay and into Lake Washington. We make our way south for five miles and into Andrews Bay.
As we approach Andrews Bay, we can clearly see that there are already at least two dozen boats anchored. We carefully make our way toward the south eastern corner of the bay hoping to find the ideal location to drop our hook. When we don’t find a suitable location here, we move back out toward the mouth of the bay and select a location on the eastern shore.
By three pm, the bay is filled with well over 75 boats. Many of these are just small runabouts out for the day. Once it begins to cool off (yes, cool off, the temp today hit 80 degrees here in Andrews Bay!) many of these small boats will depart for the evening.
While Andrews Bay is an interesting place to hang on the hook with great views and all, we decide it is not a place we would want to spend another Saturday evening, With all the small boats battling for the “best stereo prize”, it is not the serene location we prefer. Winters here are great though. We spent a night on Karma in this bay last year and shared it with just one other vessel.
The sunset is absolutely beautiful from here. As you look west, you are looking at the backside of Seattle as the sun slowly sinks behind the trees on shore lighting the skyscrapers aglow with orange and red hues.
Just as the drops below the horizon, a very large motor yacht comes into the bay. It seems that it has a live DJ on board. There must be fifty people aboard singing and dancing. We assume that they are just passing through the bay while they party. Oh no, we are wrong. They drop their hook and hang in the bay with the rest of us….. Again, great place to visit in the winter……
Finally at eleven, I hear the large party yacht motor by. The music still blaring. It is amazing that people think it is their right to pull into such a location, blast their music till eleven, and then leave……
We awoke this morning to cloudy skies with a light breeze out of the north.
Since Maureen has a three o’clock flight back to Denver, we pull the anchor up at 8:15 am and start making our way back to Shilshole. By the time we reach the lock, the sun is shining and the breeze has basically blown itself out. As we drop down in the small lock, we pull the covers on the fly bridge and move “upstairs” for the rest of the short journey to Shilshole.
Other than the noisy neighbors, we had another great weekend on Destiny.
Our next journey will find us hanging on the hook in a great little nook on Rich Passage!