Olytuggers
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2011
- Messages
- 107
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2713H314
- Vessel Name
- North Star
- MMSI Number
- 367504350
Dan and I took advantage of the wonderful window of fall weather we have been having for a November cruise from Olympia to Tacoma and Gig Harbor, spending four days savoring the beauties of boating in the fall. We set out on Saturday from Swantown in Olympia under gray skies. About fifty high school students were out in shells learning rowing skills as we headed up Budd Bay. We took our time cruising north, enjoying all of the scenery along the way - the forests on the shorelines studded with the bronze and gold fall colors of the deciduous trees, often reflected in the calm waters; a gathering of over 20 sailboats engaged in a race slowly gliding along their course and sails mirrored in the calm waters; a red tugboat towing a raft of logs that must have been about a quarter of a mile long.
Our destination was the Dock St. Marina in Tacoma. We had purchased a certificate for a night's lodging at the rendezvous. As we entered the Thea Foss waterway, the skies had cleared and Mt. Rainier was fully visible over the city. We spent two nights at the marina, and on the second night we were the only boat in the two guest docks. This is a wonderful marina, kept immaculately clean, with showers and laundromat, and even delivery of the Sunday paper to your boat! The setting is totally urban, right in front of the Museum of Glass. We were given a welcome bag with a coffee mug, maps, discount coupons.
We were so lucky to have sunny days, making the city just seem to sparkle. The nights were clear and cold, we woke up on Sunday morning to brilliant sunshine and ice and frost on the docks and walkways. The nights had dropped into the mid 20's, but we were snug and warm in our tug. The lights at night are not to be missed - the lights of bridges, boats, buildings along the waterway with their reflections; the lighting of the glass sculptures in the reflecting pool in front of the museum; the lighting of Chihuly's amazing works of glass on the Bridge of Glass.
We walked our legs off, exploring the downtown, found a wonderful bistro called Over the Moon in Opera Alley in the theater district, viewed the artworks in the Murano Hotel, all at night. In the daytime, we walked the length of the waterway and then up through town, back toward the marina, through the campus of UW Tacoma. And, of course, we spent a few hours taking in the Museum of Glass. There is so much to see and do within walking distance of the marina, and we have plenty left to do for a return visit. We highly recommend Dock St. Marina to anyone seeking a fun urban weekend.
Monday morning we left Tacoma and headed to Gig Harbor for a night at Arabella's Landing. Again, we were the only guest boat (and, in both cruising to and from Olympia, we hardly saw another boat on the water). As night set in, we were treated to a parade of purse seiners returning from their day of fishing. We had passed a fish buying boat called Cachalot moored near the entrance to the harbor earlier in the day. Gig Harbor was a quiet, scenic stop.
We awoke on Tuesday to clear skies and lots of sun, much warmer temperatures, and the day did reach into the mid 50's. As we headed toward Olympia we were treated to sea lions (not the harbor seals that we had been seeing) fishing just south of Day Island. Then, as we passed just south of Ketron Island, two large sea lions were perched atop a buoy, oblivious to our passing close by, with others swimming around them. There seemed to be a lot of fishing going on, and plenty of fish to satisfy these big guys. The scenery continued to be spectacular. We drifted while we had lunch in the cockpit, sunning ourselves. We both commented that we have never seen so many bird on the water as we did on this trip.
As we approached Olympia and home, the sun was low in the sky, making a pathway of light across the water, and the trees on the opposite shore absolutely glittered with their golden fall color.
This was our first cold weather boating trip, it won't be the last. There is so much to savor when on the water, so many places to explore. And, our boat is so comfortable and warm. We keep falling more and more in love with our Ranger Tug.
Lois and Dan Cheney
Hoku Kai
Our destination was the Dock St. Marina in Tacoma. We had purchased a certificate for a night's lodging at the rendezvous. As we entered the Thea Foss waterway, the skies had cleared and Mt. Rainier was fully visible over the city. We spent two nights at the marina, and on the second night we were the only boat in the two guest docks. This is a wonderful marina, kept immaculately clean, with showers and laundromat, and even delivery of the Sunday paper to your boat! The setting is totally urban, right in front of the Museum of Glass. We were given a welcome bag with a coffee mug, maps, discount coupons.
We were so lucky to have sunny days, making the city just seem to sparkle. The nights were clear and cold, we woke up on Sunday morning to brilliant sunshine and ice and frost on the docks and walkways. The nights had dropped into the mid 20's, but we were snug and warm in our tug. The lights at night are not to be missed - the lights of bridges, boats, buildings along the waterway with their reflections; the lighting of the glass sculptures in the reflecting pool in front of the museum; the lighting of Chihuly's amazing works of glass on the Bridge of Glass.
We walked our legs off, exploring the downtown, found a wonderful bistro called Over the Moon in Opera Alley in the theater district, viewed the artworks in the Murano Hotel, all at night. In the daytime, we walked the length of the waterway and then up through town, back toward the marina, through the campus of UW Tacoma. And, of course, we spent a few hours taking in the Museum of Glass. There is so much to see and do within walking distance of the marina, and we have plenty left to do for a return visit. We highly recommend Dock St. Marina to anyone seeking a fun urban weekend.
Monday morning we left Tacoma and headed to Gig Harbor for a night at Arabella's Landing. Again, we were the only guest boat (and, in both cruising to and from Olympia, we hardly saw another boat on the water). As night set in, we were treated to a parade of purse seiners returning from their day of fishing. We had passed a fish buying boat called Cachalot moored near the entrance to the harbor earlier in the day. Gig Harbor was a quiet, scenic stop.
We awoke on Tuesday to clear skies and lots of sun, much warmer temperatures, and the day did reach into the mid 50's. As we headed toward Olympia we were treated to sea lions (not the harbor seals that we had been seeing) fishing just south of Day Island. Then, as we passed just south of Ketron Island, two large sea lions were perched atop a buoy, oblivious to our passing close by, with others swimming around them. There seemed to be a lot of fishing going on, and plenty of fish to satisfy these big guys. The scenery continued to be spectacular. We drifted while we had lunch in the cockpit, sunning ourselves. We both commented that we have never seen so many bird on the water as we did on this trip.
As we approached Olympia and home, the sun was low in the sky, making a pathway of light across the water, and the trees on the opposite shore absolutely glittered with their golden fall color.
This was our first cold weather boating trip, it won't be the last. There is so much to savor when on the water, so many places to explore. And, our boat is so comfortable and warm. We keep falling more and more in love with our Ranger Tug.
Lois and Dan Cheney
Hoku Kai
