Thanksgiving Cruise

[Stella Maris]

Right now Karma is tied up in Bell Harbor. Our plan for now is to spend tonight here and then see what tomorrow brings. The weather for running to Victoria does not look favorable at this time.

The weather man is calling for additional snow in Seattle tonight and tomorrow!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

David and Maureen

 

[Stella Maris]

We awoke on Thanksgiving morning with a light snow falling. The backdrop of downtown Seattle just added to the incredible view we had out of the windshield. We spent the day lounging around Karma reading the paper, drinking coffee, and spending time with each other.

Dinner was an impromptu Thanksgiving Dinner Party in an incredible setting here in Downtown Seattle. Great food, great people, great view!

This morning we awoke to gusty south winds. Light rain pitter patting on the overhead. The weather report calls for more of the same throughout the day. While we know Karma can handle this weather, we have decided to spend another night in Bell. Why go out and beat yourself up if you don't have too! Maybe we will make a trip to Fisheries and REI. Now, that is what I call Black Friday Shopping! After that, a stroll through the market will be fun!

Tomorrows weather is predicted to be better. We will see where the tides and currents carry us tomorrow. Maybe just a quiet night out at Blake. We will just have to wait and see!

 

[Stella Maris]

Todays weather was a big improvement from where it has been so, we slipped the lines at Bell Harbor and headed over to Blake Island.

We are currently tied up to pier #1 and are the only vessel on it. Pier #2 was damaged in last weeks storm so it has been closed off to moorage for the time being. There are a total of eight boats in the marina here at Blake. Winters are great here! Very few people, and lots of wildlife. The deer walk along the path at the head of the piers while the eagles soar overhead!

Tomorrow we will head back to Port Orchard. I will get Maureen to the airport in the afternoon. Monday I will be taking Karma over to have her hauled and the bottom painted. While she is out, we will take a look at all of the thru hulls and zincs. We are curious as to whether or not we still have the prop zinc. They have a tendency to spin off. We will also have zincs installed on the swim step supports at this time. She will be back in the water on Thursday and ready for her next adventure. If the weather permits, we are going to head up to Kingston on Saturday morning.

While we missed not being able to go up to Victoria this weekend, we still had a great time staying close to home!

 

[Stella Maris]

Karma is once again safe and sound in her slip in Port Orchard. She has been washed and dried from the top of her mast right down to the water line. Tomorrow, it is off for a new coat of bottom paint. This is not due to an improper job by those that perform this work for Ranger Tugs, it is due to the fact that last week while departing the marina, I came around the corner and met ice on the fairway. While I did not have to go far, it did manage to take the bottom paint off at the bow as well as along the sides.

What a great and relaxing weekend. While we did not make it to Victoria as our original plan had called for, Bell Harbor as usual was incredible with fireworks on Friday night. Blake Island; what a contrast to Bell. A wild and rural setting yet you can still see Downtown Seattle!

Boating in the PNW in the winter is incredible! The marina's and anchorages are empty! Yet, the scenery is still spectacular! The weather for the most part was okay. We had rain, snow, sun, and a bit of wind..... what more could you ask for?

One of these days, we may buy a trailer and take Karma out of here but, I am not quite sure why we would do that.... While I do enjoy the desert as well as the heat, the PNW has so much to offer! I am truly afraid that we will not see it all in our life times. Although, that would not be all bad. If you do manage to see it all, what do you have to look forward to?

Next week, the plan is to head to Kingston as long as the weather gods agree with us! Anyone want to join us?

See you on the water!

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