High Tea at Low Sea

A day has passed since High Tea at Low Sea yet the smiles continue.  I am finding it quite difficult to describe in words what it is like to participate in High Tea at Low Sea. It is easy to say this is a unique event. Explaining the divine 'happening' when the seaweed carpeted land is exposed and china tea cups clink over delicacies artfully arranged on white linens, I don't 'think there's enough descriptor words to do it justice. We simply feel - know- and understand this day is special. This year was the 10th anniversary and what a day it was! The weatherman predicted unprecedented temperatures this year, but we had our way - 75 degrees with a slight breeze. The power of the imagination ruled the day. You would have to have a pretty hard shell not to feel the juicy goodness and joy shared on this day.

 

Not the complete crew... we are still gathering.

 

 

Heat Stroke warnings and precautions reviewed.

 

  Many, many thanks to C-3, our tow/ chase boat and to Vern and Debby

our co-conspirators in making magic happen.

 

 

Also in attendance - the Joe. The Joe was the Verite's first tow boat in 2004.

 

 

Wycoff Shoal is just barely showing at this point.

 

 

Helper boats arrive.

 

 Do you have the...? Where's the....? I have the silver!

 

 

There's always time for a story. Apparently the fish was this  --------- big.

 

 

Mushroom, something something, pate - OMG it was good.

 

A remembrance from the first High Tea in 2004. Robin is with us in spirit still.

 

 

Pretty ladies out for a stroll.

 

 

 

 

Photographer Debby capturing all the moments.

 

 Within this happy circle....

Oh, my the glorious food!

 

And this is how you get back into the boat... they drag you back in with a long rope!

Just kidding! Ha ha.

 

The land disappears as quickly as it appeared -by magic really.

 

 

 

Ripples on the water and the clouds fly away.

What a special treasure we take away.

This is how the WOWer's play.

We encourage you to make your own Tea-day,

in your own special way.

For life is short and meant to be sweet,

don't miss a moment to make it unique.

 

 

 

Above photographs courtesy of  Terese Jackson, Crash Clark, Sally Slater and Jan Ward.

 

If you  haven't seem enough pictures of High Tea at Low Sea go to Maria's photobucket:
http://s94.photobucket.com/user/Mariack/slideshow/High%20Tea%20at%20Low%20Sea

A special hug and thanks go to Voski and all her minions; Vern and Debby for transporting the boat, and Maria for shepherding the boat back and forth. To the bringers of love filled food - yum.

Catching up

It's been a couple of busy weeks - so no updates, but we have been out rowing. Here are a few pictures from the past two weeks.

 

 

Today, Saturday July 12 the Verite participated in the No Gas, Only Paddles event on the Thea Foss Waterway. Several brave souls came aboard to learn how to row and discovered it is great fun - especially if you go with the flow.

 

Tomorrow, July 13th we are off to Wycoff Shoal for High Tea at Low Sea.

We are hoping for 72 degrees with a slight breeze.

Fingers crossed.



High Tide

The water this past Monday was really interesting. The ramp down to the dock was almost horizontal as I talked and walked, not really paying attention. Then, I looked over to the boat. OMG! Look at all that water! What a huge contrast from last week.

We had 12 show up this week which included a sister and a returning J.

Like riding a bicycle our returning J took starboard 7 with great gusto.

As we settled in the boat the most peculiar thing happened. A HUGE series of waves lifted the Verite up at least a foot or more. At first the waves were simply rocking the boat. Then they became stronger and higher and pretty soon it required everyone to sit down and hold on. With a look over the shoulder you could see the other boats perpendicular to the waterway tipping deeply sideways as the waves pushed down the Thea.  You could hear their lines clanging against their masts.  It was very much like an earthquake in that it seemed to go on for quite a long time. Troubling too, because there was no apparent cause for the waves - tugboat, fast motor boat,  or incoming container ship (in fact, there wasn't a one in the bay) so what was it? Simply high tide making itself known? A wind wave that had gathered momentum? There was no mention of an earthquake nearby in the news or on-line for that day either. Oh, maybe Commencement Bay has a Loch Ness monster? At the very least it was a reminder that Mother Nature likes to be unpredictable. Later she tested us with wind. I hope we passed our impromptu test.

Tea Time... the wind took us back in.

 

See the front coming?

 

 Now, to thread the our 18 foot oared needle between those 2 tugs and the huge sailing ship behind?

Lucky thirteen

It was a lovely day on the water this past Monday - in the upper 70's with a slight breeze blowing. It just doesn't get better than that! Plus we had a full turn out. In fact, over the number the boat can hold.  Thanks to the two for giving up their spots. This has only happened a time or two, so it has never been a huge issue, but rather than someone going home next time we will simply bring out the kayaks. Those who are experienced kayakers can follow along or lead the way depending on their pace. So, that's the plan. Being on the water is so restorative and reinvigorating we want everyone to have the opportunity regardless of boat.

Before every row, we review the commands and safety issues and practice

what to do if you  'catch a crab.