Monday, May 27, 2013

Blake Island Excursion and Bridal Shower

What do men do when the women have a bridal shower? My niece Rebecca and fiancé Henry will be married in July. Unfortunately, because of our Japan trip, we will not witness this joyous event. So it was a pleasure to host a family bridal shower in Southworth. The men occupied the time with an excursion to Blake Island. I borrowed enough kayaks and canoes to float ten of us over to the south end of the island. After enjoying sack lunches on the beach we took a leisurely 3 mile hike around the island, before paddling back. Fortunately, the rain held off and the wind did not pick up. The ladies enjoyed a pleasant shower and we filled our stomachs at a BBQ. Ellen, Doug and Pam stated the night and joined us for a soggy Sunday in Southworth.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Another Successful Launch

The other day a neighbor stopped his car while I was prepping the boat in front of our house. He said, "I always know that spring is in full swing when I see you working on your boat." Well, let summer begin - my boat is in the water. It's out a little earlier this year because I want it out by Memorial Day as a backup for the coming Blake Island adventure with the Bishop/Bulthuis gang. It was really hard buying a new outboard motor this year to replace my stolen one. I also added an adjustable motor mount to the transom. The only detail I had hoped to complete is the name lettering. It needs a perfectly calm day, and we haven't had one lately. The journey from the launch to the mooring buoy was a mix of motoring and sailing. It was good to feel the boat grabbing the wind again; but it was also comforting to test my new used outboard.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day by Southworth Sailor
Happy Mother's Day, a photo by Southworth Sailor on Flickr.

At the risk of confusing ethnicity, Esther chose to have her Mother's Day meal at a Thai restaurant in Norwegian Poulsbo in the company of Markus and Steph. After indulging our palates with spicy entrees, we scrounged for driftwood at Point No Point and strolled the grounds of Port Gamble. Though not the gorgeous weather of the previous week, the afternoon was pleasant enough for a Puget Sound Spring day. The matriarchs day was bookended by engaging FaceTimes with Tokyo and Lynden.