Halfway There Cruise a Success!

[Stella Maris]

While the wind was blowing at 15 to 20, the wind wave building to three to four, seven hearty souls and their mates and friends made their way to Shilshole Bay Marina on Friday. The first to arrive was June and Herb on Sea Sweeper followed in by Maureen and I. It wasn't but a couple of minutes later that another, "New" R-29 appeared around the bend! Lo and behold, it was Tim and Kim on their new R-29. They picked up last week, ran to Gibsons with her, and then brought her back down to Shilshole for the cruise!

Pat and Cary on Auklet, Johnie K on Red Ranger, Bruce and Vicki on Moondance, and Dave and Rob on Lobo are all in attendance. Bob and Nita of Nellie Too came by car for the festivities on Friday and will join us once we get to the lake. Tonight we plan to overnight at Fishermans Terminal.

With no plan really in mind for Friday is was not long before we had a party going on Karma. With fourteen people on board, it still did not seem anymore crowded than those parties we used to all go to as teenager's. The wine flowed, the munchies got consumed the good times were there to be had!

Today is the big day with the "running of the locks". None of us have run these locks in the past so I guess that makes us all "Lock Virgins"!

Until tomorrow!

 

[Stella Maris]

It was a day of "firsts" for many! As we approached the locks, many with apprehension of what lay ahead, we got the green light to proceed. To the surprise to everyone, we ended up being placed in the large lock! Karma was the first to enter as the load the larger boats first. We were followed by Tim and Kim aboard their new R-29. Next in was Bruce and Vicki on Moondance. They were instructed to raft alongside Karma! A first for Bruce and Vicki. Dave on Lobo followed Moondance and rafted alongside Tim and Kim. Auklet was the next in and took Sea Sweeper along side. Johnie K was the last in and directed to the front to raft to Moondance, another first for Bruce and Vicki! Not only did they raft to another for the first time, then they had a boat raft to them!

The ride up was uneventful. We all laughed when Maureen yelled out "third floor, ladies lingerie". Once the gates at the top opened, we waited for the water to stabilize and then it was off to Fishermans. Johnie K was the first out followed by Moondance, Karma, Lobo, Tim and Kim, Sea Sweeper, and Auklet.

On the way to Fishermans, Johnie K had the "Hot Engine" light come on. He immediately shut it down and started looking to see what was wrong. Maureen brought Karma alongside so I could toss a line to Melissa on Red Ranger. We took the Red Ranger under tow as we continued on to Fishermans. I laid claim to "Salvage Rights" on Red Ranger and immediately renamed her "Little Red Riding Hood". Maureen told me I had to play nice and give Red Ranger back to John. I tried to explain that she followed me home and I should get to keep her...... didn't work.....

We came to the conclusion that the fan belt had wore through the cooling line allowing all of the coolant to leak out. We brought out the "Rescue Tape" patched it up, fired her up and it held!!!!! What a great tool that "Rescue Tape" is!


After getting Red Ranger back into the action we all took off for a cruise around Lake Union and Lake Washington! The weather was beautiful the company was even better! Once we returned to the dock, we did what Ranger Tug owners do best! We sat and ate and drank and ate some more!

It is now Sunday morning and people are starting to move about. The coffee is just about finished. We plan to head to the lock between nine and nine thirty. Then we all go our seperate ways until next time!

I have loaded a number of pictures in our photo album with many more to come!

 

[Stella Maris]

Well, it is now Monday morning and I am sitting in SFO on my way to Honolulu for the week. Spent a brief seven hours in Vegas last night on the way through.

Yesterday was another first for many. After leaving Fishermans, we approached the locks and got the green light on the small lock. Karma was loaded first with Moondance rafted along side. Sea Sweeper tied behind and Johnie K behind June and Herb. Johnie came through single handed! Great job John!

The ride across the sound was quite bumpy with 20 Knot winds on the nose and an out going tide. As usual, Karma handled it well as did the crew.

We arrived back into Port Orchard at noon with sun and blue sky! The docks were crowded with folks washing their boats. As always, Maureen made a ten point landing! Coasted right in, I stepped off, secured the lines and we were there! Love it when it happens that way!

Thanks to all of you who came along. Missed those of you who could not make it! Until next time!

See you on the water!

 

[Nellie Too]

I have posted pictures in our album showing the boats entering the locks. More to come.

Nita

 

[Bruce Moore]

Thanks Nita, great shots. And Bob, for your keen hospitality. And Dave and Maureen, as always, for the facilitation and encouragement. Oh, and the Rainex! We took water over the cabin all the way home, and never ran the wipers. Awesome.

 

[johnniethek]

Thanks to all HTC folks who participated, especially those who "rescued" the Red Ranger after she overheated. Special thanks to David/Maureen for towing us to Fishermen's Terminal and to David and Bob Osterlund for their expert sleuthing/repair of the problem.

Like I told my friend, Melissa, such an unfortunate event couldn't have happened at a better time -- with friends there to tow you and fix the problem. I learned lots in the process that I will apply in the years ahead as I move more fully into this cruising lifestyle.

By the way, thanks also to the HTC folks who helped with care for my black lab, Dixie, especially Kim of Attitude Adjustment and Vicki of Moondance. My Dixie Chick is doing fine. The vet will replace her bandages tomorrow and again in another 3-4 days. Her happy spirit has returned.

The next time I take her on a cruise, she'll be wearing her own lifevest!

Johnniethek

 

[Nellie Too]

Hi Guys,
I lost Nita's car key some where this weekend. If you find a strange keys they probably belongs to a stange guy (me). The ring has two keys on it with a piece of leather attached and I think it says Montana on it. If you find it please let me know.
Bob and Nita (425) 488-1713

 

[jbissell]

Our many thanks to all that participated in the Halfway There Cruise, especially David and Maureen (Karma) and Bob and Nita (Nellie Too) for putting it together. Going through the lock was not that hard because we were well prepared thanks to the presentation at the Cruising North Seminar presented by Mac (Island Ranger) and John and Laurie (Laurie Anne). What a great group! The lock, Lake Union, Lake Washington the ship canal and good friends. A weekend to remember on our Ranger Tug. Thanks.
June and Herb

 

[tim&kim]

Home at last.....it sure was great to see everyone again.....thanks to D&M and B&N for putting a great weekend together!
Kim and I cleared the locks yesterday morning at 9:40 and were at the
fuel dock in Poet's Cove by 3:30....and in the hot tub by 4:00 !!!. We had a great following sea ( blowing 20 to 25 ) all the way to well inside of Whidbey. We passed "Spirit of Gratitude" just as we were approaching Deception Pass. We had a great chat with them on the VHF and passed on the hot water line tip as well !
Our crossing of Georgia Str. was .....well.....we could have water-skied all of the 31 miles across.....flat as a pancake !
We left Poet's at 9:30 and were in Gibsons by 2:00.We did not even get to test out the Rainex...thanks again David!
We look forward to hosting everyone here for the 1st annual Ranger Crabfestival in August on the way to Desolation!

 

[Bruce Moore]

Here's a handful of pictures from Halfway There - and a link to a slide show which will continue to grow.

The Canadian contingent on the wall in the big locks.

Lake Union houseboats - and the posted speed limit.

Karma and the backside of Seattle's skyline

Lobo and Karma cruising Lake Union

The slide show is here.

Cheers,

Bruce & Vicki

 

[Nellie Too]

Bruce,
The pictures you posted on the "Halfway There Cruise" are outstanding! I want your camera!!!! :lol:

Nita

 

[Auklet]

Just one more photo for the scrapbook.

 

[Nellie Too]

While at the locks taking pictures of the Ranger Tugs, I met a professional photographer on vacation from California. He took many pictures of the boats entering the locks, while in the locks, and departing from the locks. These pictures will be available on his website probably on Sunday. Once I know they are available, I will give you the link so you may look at them.

Nita 🙂

 

[Bruce Moore]

More pictures from the HTC - mostly around Fisherman's Terminal where we spent Saturday evening. Here's a handful, with a link to the slideshow.

The line up at Fisherman's Terminal

The Moondance crew locking through - thanks Maureen

Sea Sweeper standing out in a crowd

Here's the slideshow.

Cheers

 

[Zuma]

Bruce.. your pictures are incredible, you certainly have a gift.

 

[Bruce Moore]

Thanks so much Z! After years of photographing jazz musicians in dark clubs, it's really a pleasure to be chasing images in maritime settings, in the light of day.

Cheers

 

[klschubert]

We are still in the "dreaming of" stage of cruising, taking the Seamanship class with our local USPS and drooling at boatshows. I dropped in on the rendezvous at Fisherman's Terminal, and want to thank all the Ranger folk who took time to chat with me. Appreciate the kindness of this friendly community.

Kate Schubert

 

[Bruce Moore]

Hi Kate - it was nice meeting you at Fisherman's Terminal. Thanks for coming down. Dream on!

Cheers,

Bruce & Vicki

 

[Stella Maris]

Kate,
Whether you have taken the big step yet or not, come on over too the Bremerton Rendezvous in September. We currently have 49 vessels signed up for this great event. The dates are September 10th, 11th, and 12th.

We were all glad that you could make it by Fishermans Terminal as it gives you the chance to see as Bruce always puts it; "You are not buying a boat, you are buying a lifestyle!"

 

[Nellie Too]

Finally the pictures taken of the Ranger Tugs going through the locks on March 20 are now available to view. Ben Wheeler, a professional photographer from California, has taken 215 pictures of this event. His gallery address is: http://www.nakedimagegallery.com/rangertugs

If you are interested, pictures can be ordered directly from the gallery. The images are high resolution and make beautiful prints. There are ordering instructions located in the gallery. If anyone has any questions they are welcome to email Ben at: LiveFully@BenWheeler.org

He is offering us a special discount of 10% off of the order and it is valid until May 19. When you check out, enter the coupon code RTUG10.

Enjoy. 🙂

Nita
Nellie Too