Winter Weekend in Andrews Bay

[Stella Maris]

As the rain continues its steady beat on the boathouse roof, the wind continues to blow out of the south at 15 knots. Destiny is prepared for a winter weekend adventure in Andrews Bay on Lake Washington.

We depart our slip and make our way south on the Ship Canal. Other than a large tug heading for the lock, we have the canal to ourselves.

As we make our way onto Lake Union, we see the only other boat on the lake today. A small sailboat, its lone occupant sitting in the cockpit, all the while being pelleted with rain while racing across the lake.

We enter Lake Washington and realize, we have the lake to ourselves. There is not another vessel in sight. The winds are whipping up a mild chop as we point Destiny’s bow toward the I-90 Bridge.

We pass beneath the I-90 Bridge now having a clear view into Andrews Bay. Not another boat in sight. It appears that we will have the entire bay to ourselves this evening.

Slowly we make our way deep into the bay. The water is now smooth as we tuck in behind the large pines that shelter the south shore of the bay. I drop the hook in 18 feet of water.

We enjoy the evening sitting in our fully enclosed cockpit. Destiny gently swings on her anchor treating us to an incredible view of the homes lining the western shore of the bay. Rain continues to fall.

Come morning, we will make our way back to our slip and prepare to plan next weeks adventure.

What an incredible life we lead.

 

[Irish Mist]

Sounds wonderful 🙂

 

[Zundels]

And for a lot of us in the northern Hemisphere, might I add that you are enjoying this winter day on the water on DECEMBER 6th! (When most of us are shoveling snow). Don

 

[Stella Maris]

Come Febraury, we will be right there with you. Maureen and I head north to Barrow AK to hopefully catch a glimpse of the many Polar Bears that wander the streets as well as the Northern Lights. They say the average daytime high at that time of year is a beautiful is -10 with the overnight dropping to -22.

 

[fairweather]

Well, good luck finding a polar bear in Kodiak!

 

[Stella Maris]

Yep. No Polar Bears in Kodiak... Just Brownies. However, we are headed to Barrow. The 14th Northern Most City in the world. We will be just 1,290 miles from the North Pole.

The locals of Barrow carry shotguns for their own preservation. The Polar Bears are known to wander through town. Right down the center of Main Street.

We once had the good fortune to meet World Renowned Sailor, Alvah Simon and his wife Diana while moored in Poulsbo. He and Diana were gracious enough to join us aboard Karma sharing their story of their winter in the Arctic aboard their 36 foot steel hulled sailboat, Roger Henry.

When we asked what was the scariest moments that they experienced, Alvah answered the day he turned around to go back to Roger Henry after doing some hiking and finding Bear Prints covering his. That was an indicator that the bear was hunting him. If you have a chance, I suggest you read "North to the Night".

Then, if we are lucky enough to see the Great White Bear of the north, we will then keep our fingers crossed for clear skies and a spectacular Northern Lights Show that night.

And maybe after this adventure, we may get the chance this summer to get up to Kodiak to see the "Brownies".