Blake...and a Sub!

It's not unusual for us to change our plans and that is just what happened on Sunday morning. We woke up to another beautiful day in Gig Harbor and because we were feeling a little lazy (hmm...wine and dancing the night before?) and in no hurry, decided to hang out and leave Monday instead.

We walked (Steve and Tracey kayaked), lunched at the Tides, (where Tracey and I had really good pineapple cider (Ace, California) and enjoyed the sunshine.

Phoebe...still exploring...

The Lady KD departed after lunch and I took a nice paddle at high tide into the very end of the harbor.

ToG left early Monday and instead of Eagle Harbor, we stopped at Blake Island.

We always sing the praises of this outstanding marine park and one of the reasons is because we see the craziest things! Sometimes aircraft carriers (like the Nimitz) and other U.S. Navy vessels. One time we saw two drones fly over, very low, and circle the island twice before heading back toward Bremerton.

We hiked around the island and then decided to bundle up a little, since the weather has changed, and enjoy some red wine up on our top deck. The tide was high, giving us a great view over the breakwater. I noticed something I didn't recognize making its way south, so went to get the binos. A submarine! I had also noticed what looked like two large military tugs coming out of Rich Passage. Very fun and exciting to watch the sub, two patrol boats, and the tugs make their way through the channel toward the base. In the first photo, you can also see a large cruise ship departing from Seattle. During this whole show, a WSF ferry and a few fast ferries went through - lots of interesting vessel traffic!

I had a good chat with one of the Rangers as he came to check on the docks. While hiking, we noticed lots of alder trees in bad shape. Some of them still standing but dead, many others broken in half. He said the Department of Ecology was recently here and determined it is some beetle that prays on alders. He also talked about the five-year plan that is underway to renovate the marina - that will be exciting to follow. It will include, finally, a new pump-out station. He also mentioned there has been no interest from anyone regarding any new venture for Tillicum Village. Disappointing but not surprising.

We really want to take a different route on our way north this time so are waiting it out here at Blake, and then Port Townsend, until the timing is good to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hopefully on Thursday.

It is raining off and on as I write this morning. We've been watching a couple hundred barn swallows land on the rails and surfaces of our boat and two others docked close to us. It's quite entertaining...photos tomorrow. Ow though...another one just bumped a window.