Orcas give shoreside watchers a big thrill

Puget Sound Boating: Allottees Association & Affiliated Tribes of the Quinault Res.

Puget Sound Boating: Allottees Association & Affiliated Tribes of the Quinault Res.

Allottees Association & Affiliated Tribes of the Quinault Res.

Preparing for today's 10am meeting of Allottees Association & Affiliated Tribes of the Quinault Res. BIA office 1216 Skyview Dr Aberdeen WA

http://www.aa-at.org/index.html

Winter Day on the South Sound

Today we got "Friend Ship" out of the shop.  Each year she goes in for a once over from Tacoma Marine and this year was no exception.  Usually they have some small project to work on and it keeps me out of trouble when we are on the water having a good time.
After picking her up we stopped for a few things then headed straight for our favorite boat launch.
Before long we were looking eye to eye with a big sea lion posing for us.  Now the big issue was how to make my new phone take pictures.
Next stop was eagle Island.  Usually we stop for lunch on the sandy point but it just looked a little cold today so we pressed ahead.
On the chart I saw a shipwreck by Longbranch so we decided to investigate.  That seems to be one our favorite pastimes.  Today we never did see the shipwreck but had a great tour of Filucy Bay.  There was everything from old livaboards to beautiful waterfront homes.
By this time "Friend Ship" was getting a little cold (no pun intended) so Linda headed her towards home.

Just another beautiful day on the South Sound.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Thanksgiving Day

Good morning fellow boaters and happy Thanksgiving.

There is much to be thankful for at the Davis household the neighbors old boat that uses up a parking stall in front of the house. The newly painted house across the street that our windows face garnished with a truck canopy against the fence. 

But now after all there really are many things I am thankful for.  Like a country that lets you pursue your dreams and a wonderful family that will fill this house later on and my wife who loves me each day.

Have a great Thanksgiving and I will see you on the South Sound.

Ed Davis

Road Trip to the Chinook

With "Friendship" in dry dock under the carport it's time for another road trip.
This time to Ilwaco at the mouth of the Columbia river and one of the roughest river bars in the world.
As we stopped off in Portland for a quick look at some Chriscrafts we heard that most of the bars in Washington and Oregon were closed. No. This is not a reenactment of prohibition but rather nasty conditions on a river where it meets the ocean.
So we hopped in the SUV raced our way to Ilwaco. Well may be raced is not the right word. With lakes forming on the I-5 freeway it was more like plowing our way. We saw some beautiful bow sprays from japanese imports. Who unfortunately had to park soon afterward.
After reaching Astoria I suggested to Linda we had time to stop at the Maritime museum http://www.crmm.org/ and catch up on some more Coast Guard history but she reminded me that if we want to spend time on the jetty better keep moving. Alas so many fun things to do and so little time.
Finally on the jetty at Ilwaco it was a glorius day. The surf was breaking in huge waves on the jetty and we carefully walked out as far as I dared (Linda is the real adventurer).
This is a good time for a disclaimer because many a fisherman has been swept off the jetty by a rouge wave. The waves sweep over the jetty and pluck bystanders off to Davey Jones Locker. A place hope not to see soon.
After a wonderful walk on the jetty it's up to the interpretive center and a gorgeous evening look over the mouth of the Columbia.
To finish the day we had two stops left. The Chinook salmon dinner and finally a warm bed and breakfast at the George Johnson house in Ocean Park. http://www.georgejohnsonhouse.com/
What a great place to stay. Indian history and live deer in the garden.
What a great country we live in.
See you on the South Sound (Salish Sea)

International Ship Breaking Dangerous Buisiness

While reading my shipping online magazine this morning I was struck by the dangers of ship breaking. A ship breaker is an organization that buys ships then cuts them up and resells the parts for scrap. Here are some pictures from Andrew Bells website of the ship breakers. http://www.andrewbell.net.au/shipBreaking.html
What caught my attention was that according to Maritime Updates http://www.maritimeupdates.com/ships-shipping/ship-breakers-inhale-death.html
in the ship breaking industry there were 14 deaths this year, 15 deaths in 2008 and 18 in 2006 and 2007.
This business gives a whole new meaning to Labor and Industry. I'm not sure what we can do for those people working in ship breaking but it sure makes my thankful for the standards being set in our own country.
Here in the South Puget Sound we not only live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world but also one of the safer areas.
Hope to see you on the sound soon and enjoy life today while helping others for their tomorrow.