A Winter Wonderland

Snow at the Docks

We always enjoy the snow that arrives in winter, covering the surrounding mountains and sometimes blanketing the city of Seattle.  The snow rarely accumulates near the water, however, so we were surprised to find ourselves shoveling snow off the boat deck.  Who would have guessed we would need a snow shovel on the boat!  Elliott Bay Marina turned into a winter wonderland - four inches of snow covered the docks, piers, and boats.  Our snow boots came in handy for negotiating the slippery docks and walking the scenic tree-lined pathways all dressed in white.  Our winter neighbors, the Grebes, Herons, and Seals didn’t seem to mind the weather, but an old Sea Lion did appreciate the arrival of spring – he hauled himself out for a long awaited sunbath.

Winter Guests

Leonard and Connie Waxing

Deer at Blake Island

We welcomed several visitors over the winter months, including my mother Connie.  She enjoyed a short cruise with us to Blake Island where we saw deer prancing around the picnic tables and open meadows.  The sun even shone brightly one day and Connie, a great grandmother, helped us wax the boat!  Like mother, like daughter – work hard, play hard.  Marcia and Richard from Eugene Oregon also paid us a visit just before Christmas.  We had a wonderful cruise with them, stopping at the villages of Poulsbo and Bainbridge for some holiday shopping and sightseeing.  It was great to see our Oregon friends again and catch up on news from Eugene, a home town of ours from years past.

Poulsbo, Washington

Friends Marcia and Richard

2011-2012 Winter Highlights

Seattle Seafair Clowns

After our return trip from Alaska in 2011 (see www.LLCruise.BlogSpot.com), we began making plans for our next adventure - a summer cruise along the U.S. West Coast with plans to winter in Mexico.  It certainly would be a different winter than the one spent in Puget Sound which brought freezing temperatures and snow.  Nevertheless, we kept warm with two electric space heaters plus the boat’s hydronic heat system.  Living aboard during the winter months brought some new opportunities.  Highlights included participating in the “Special Peoples Cruise” – special needs folks along with the Seattle Seafair Clowns came aboard Got d’ Fever and we joined the parade of boats in Lake Washington, returning to Queen City Yacht Club in Portage Bay.  It was a delightful experience, although tense at times with so many boats following close behind us and closely spaced in front of us for the length of the parade route.  Most of the boats, including Got d’ Fever, were decorated with Christmas lights.  We spent most of the winter months at Elliott Bay Marina, but also enjoyed stays at some of the smaller communities throughout Puget Sound.  During the holiday season, Elliott Bay Marina was aglow with boats dressed in Christmas lights and the marina proved to be a great spot to watch the New Year’s fireworks displayed from the Seattle Space Needle.  Snow skiing with our Montana friends at “Big Red Cats” in British Columbia was another winter highlight – lots of fresh powder snow and a great group of friends made it extra special.  Time off the boat was spent for some routine boat maintenance, including zinc replacements, bottom painting, adjustments on the drip-less shaft seals, and inspection of the cutlass bearings and rudder packing.  Before departing for the mountains, we motored Got d’ Fever to Port Townsend where she was hauled out for maintenance and left her in the competent hands of Townsend Bay Marine.

Lights at Elliott Bay Marian

Lights at Elliott Bay Marina

Fireworks from the Space Needle