Compare and Contrast

The difference between this week's row and last week's was markedly different. Last week we stayed in the Thea Waterway due to the winds. The seasoned crew considered the risk but felt up to the challenge. The 6-10 mph gusts seemed to come from every direction. It took a great deal of effort to reach the head of the waterway and not one break to rest either. The ride back - duty free yet humbling under the power of wind and wave. A good reminder to be aware at all times when on the water. Tea was at dockside. It was either there or at the Victoria Hotel on Vancouver Island at the rate we were going.  As you can see, in spite of the grey skies, blustery weather and hard work you can see the crew and guest are as happy as can be.

 

 

This week (Labor Day) by contract was sunny and surprisingly warm. The wind was blowing but not with the ferocity of last week. Fishermen lined the shores and the boaters were out in force. Many boaters enjoyed racing across the bay. With a rush they put on the breaks right before they entered the Thea Foss Waterway. It gave us a rush too.

 

And then... Jan B read from:

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

A poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is the longest major poem by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, written in 1797–98 and published in 1798 in the first edition of Lyrical Ballads.

 

The wind stopped blowing, the traffic subsided, as we sat in the slanting afternoon sun. We sat still as she read of this other time and place. Dingle, the harbor seal slipped in and around the Verite listening too. One time closer than she has ever been!  A treat for all to see. 

 

 

The Crowley's came in as we went out.

 

Cauliflower pizza, fresh and dried fruits, brownies (already consumed), nut bread and cookies and nuts, tea and.... more.

 

Dingle in the distance.

 

 

 

Pinch me - this is real, right? The contrast of our days may be great and yet there is this harmony that flows in and around, embracing each of us where we sit. The magic formula is quite basic - be on the water, share food, listen to each other and send out compassionate thoughts to those who are not able to be with us this day. Oh, and row a bit too.

 

 

High Tide and Tea

This past Monday was a lovely day. The temperature was just right, the tide was high and the boat was full. It was a perfect day for a tea party for our special guests. Several of the regulars were back after being absent for a while. There were many reasons to celebrate. The tea treats were creative as well as delicious. Some one asked for the dried fruit and nut loaf recipe... so here it is.

Jan's Dried Fruit and Nut Loaf
3/4 cup all purpose white flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup brown sugar (I have been known to use coconut sugar for 1/4 of this measurement)
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add:
1 cup dried apricots - halved
1 cup dried cherries (those tart ones from Costco work great)
1 cup dried figs - halved
3 cups walnuts
Toss the fruit with the flour mixture until all the fruit is covered with flour.

In a bowl - beat 3 eggs with 1 tsp vanilla
Add the wet ingredients to the flour/fruit/nut mixture.
Stir well until all the flour has been mixed with the eggs. (Gooey)
Bake in a 300 degree oven for 50-55 minutes.
This recipe makes 3 mini loaves. The best size for tea bread.

You might say we are the Tea Party Boat... but don't think any of us have leanings toward the Tea Party! If anything our leanings are more toward the Boston Tea Party. I will warn you - this boat load is full of straight talking , clear thinking, determined women. They are a force to be reckoned with!

 

 

This time of year you can clearly see the influence of the Puyallup River.

Pineapple coleslaw with tomatoes, coconut balls,

fruit nut bread with lemon curd on the half shell, there were several kinds of cookies,

watermelon and much, much, more!

We quietly munched during the reading of

The Mermaid - a  poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson.

 

 

When asked if she had tried it - she hadn't even seen it. So nothing must do but stop rowing and pull out the toasted bread, add the tomato and herb spread and taste it for herself.

She said, "You are right - it is delicious!"

The wind came up just at the end of our tour. It was a little work to get Verite home.

It was good - it helped to work off all those extra calories.

It is good to be balanced in all things... or so they say.  

Water, Water Everywhere

 I got this note this past week - "The row was fabulous - even temperatures, a high tide, sunshine and smooth water.  We picked up Terese at the Seaport dock.  She had been stuck in traffic.  Leslie, the coxswain did a superior job, including docking us when we picked up Terese.  Tea was, as usual, a wonderful conglomeration of goodies! Somehow food eaten on the water always acquires an especially wonderful flavor.  As we were rowing, someone commented, “water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink” (I think it was Dorothy).  This led to wondering where that saying originated.  Janet S looked it up and discovered it was from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.  Janet read us the section that contained the water, water everywhere piece, which all enjoyed.  This led to talk of how nice it was to listen to seagoing writings while in the Vérité.  Janet offered to provide a new reading at the next row.  We sent good vibes to Voski for her upcoming surgery and healing as we floated under our bridge.  All in all, it was another amazing day on the water."
and then there was the picture of Janet with the water in the background and the figs on the plate...

 

Honestly, it is a bit like rubbing salt in a wound. Here I am at home nursing a sore shoulder and they are having figs on a platter while perched on the Salish Sea musing on seafaring words all carefree and chipper. We should all be jealous -every last human on earth. As for me I will imagine I am there - bobbing with the waves. I will have a sliced fig perched in my fingers ready to eat. Yum... life can be sweet. 

Victorious Victoria, cucumbers and yellow squash

The tide was strong and the winds 'pushy' on this past summer Monday. The greenish brown Puyallup pushed itself into the Thea Foss Waterway leaving a distinct line to cross. The Verite crew, strong and seasoned crossed the line without a pause as did the pleasure boats, paddle boards and kayaks on their way out into the bay under a rainless clouded sky.

 

 

We salute our Victorious Victoria!

She is strong!

A balm to our spirits and hers to have her along.



 Peaches and cream anyone?

Like anyone could resist.

 

 

How about a cucumber or yellow squash to take home? asked the generous woman.

We took her offering and left her basket empty.

 

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!!!