July Fun and Fellowship

Kathleen has scribed the following stories.

 

The sunny summer days have brought some delightful rowing, including a July 13 adventure on Anderson Island with the Sunday Sailors at their campsite where they spent a week sailing and learning.  Led by Maria, the skipper, they shared their energy and enthusiasm, and best of all, joined us in a row from Anderson to Eagle Island.  Such fun!  Upon arrival, with a hop into the water from the Verite’, an eagle was spotted feasting on a baby seal.  Poor little seal but the eagle was just doing what comes naturally.  There was a walk around Eagle Island on the beach, with some searches for agates and other interesting items.  The place was a beautiful example of our wonderful Salish Sea surroundings.  How fortunate we are to live and play where the sea is such a part of our lives. 

Upon returning to Anderson, we enjoyed a delicious potluck we brought to the island to share with the Sunday Sailors.  As usual, the food included a variety of gourmet delights.  Mmm Mmm!  Some walking along the beach as the tide came in revealed a great example of currents whooshing through a narrow opening into a slough just behind the campsite.  That site was, by the way, generously provided by friends of Maria’s.  Such a perfect place for the camping and rowing. One of the surprises for us were three visitors from Rhode Island who had joined Maria’s group to share their experiences rowing a gig, the Loyaelte’.  They discussed possibilities for participation in 2016 in the Atlantic Challenge, which may be in Denmark. We all enjoyed a lot of excitement at the prospect of that happening. As the the afternoon waned, the Wowers and guests reluctantly returned to the ferry landing and the ride back to our cars at the Steilacoom side.

Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, was Maritime Fest.  A few of us, rowed from the sea base to the seaport to dock the Verite’ for the weekend, then spent some time cleaning and applying new “soup” to the thwarts and vaseline to the leathers.  Sally spent the whole day and Maria returned on Sunday, arranging for the Verite’s return to the sea base on Sunday. Sally and Kathleen were fortunate to tour the El Primero, a yacht from the late 1800’s. Our guide for the tour was excited to learn of the Verite’ and hopes to join us for some rows before her return to teaching in September.

On Monday, July 20, we had a small group.  We rowed in the sunshine with a fresh breeze.  It was wonderful and at times, hilarious, as we were rowing into the current going out from the sea base and sometimes, were making no headway, just rowing in place.  On the way back, we drifted as we had our tea, and enjoyed the awesome sunshine and blue water, sliced by the silt river from the Puyallup.  What a day!

Joan has added: Our row last Mon. was really fun, even though we just had 5 oars in the water and Sally as cox. With that few people, only one conversation at a time. The best story was Sally's - about 8 Canadian geese that wandered through her inviting open door. They were met with an inhospitable attitude as she chased them around and out another door. Yes, they left a mess, and she could tell they'd been eating blackberries. Doesn't that bring a picture to your mind?

The picture captures a new high for our tea - Therese's serving rhubarb pie with whipped cream!

Off to Anderson

 

 

 
 

The Sail Home

 

 

Maritime Fest 20015

 

 

Rhubarb Pie! With whip - no less!!!

 

 

Tea Time On the Verite

Today we had the pleasure of taking two guests from the Puget Sound Book Artist's group out on the Verite for our version of a mini High Tea. As we made our way down the waterway we were greeted with a brisk 10 mph wind and some large rollers. Most didn't notice as everyone was in high spirits and ready for anything. As the bluish water turned to aqua brown green one guest decided she was ready to try rowing. Instructions followed, but the mention of crabs - the kind that knock you off your seat caused some hesitation. She bravely moved into position at a port oar. Concentration written all over her face, till we complimented her. Instantly she caught a crab but smartly she popped her oar up and out just like she 'otter. We all cheered for a successful maneuver. She passed her initiation - check mark that! Without further ado it was time for tea.

The Women on the Water brought forth a bountiful array of delicacies and tasty treats. There was smoked salmon or cucumber sandwiches, a savory dish with roasted veggies, dolmas, fruit kabobs, melons and  pitted fruits of the season, crackers and cheese, cookies and this thing called raspberry slump. It was delicately decorated with fresh lavender and made for a beautiful presentation.  Our guests drank Life Boat  tea from fine china while the crew drank from simple green metal cups reminiscent of last century. Perhaps the only hardship of the day. There in the midst of mingling fresh and salt water we sat enjoying the bounty, tea and time together while the noisy motor boats stirred the waters all around. We caught the eye of curious kayakers who came in close trying to figure out this unusual scene. Dingle, the harbor seal, came in very close today. She is shy but very curious and loves to eavesdrop on all the chatter and laughing. It was simply luscious until the wind subsided and the heat began to rise, indication it was time to head back. We complied, as ladies shouldn't collect too much dew while wearing large feathered hats, pearls and dresses.  As you can see - any day can be an occasion, perhaps every day should be? There's no reason why not.

Somebody noticed she didn't get something? Don't cry...

Dingle, the harbor seal, is out in the distance.