Shilsholed

It was dead calm and, with the exception of Erin and John, it was the usual crowd (K**, Fisher, Gina, I, Jane Les) but it was fun none-the-less. Kim brought her Zissou hat (Life Aquatic). Erin’s a relatively new live-aboard at Shilshole on K-dock. John (of Washington Live-Aboards Association) paddled over as well (and clued us into the Wed BBQ on L-dock).

We ended up at Anthony’s Homeport (next to Rays) for the free buffet they have on Wed nights.

All pictures up here.

Gina as Zissou (she hasn’t even seen the movie though – gotta work on Gina’s movie knowledge… I mean – hasn’t seen Life Aquatic!?!?!)

Fisher as Zissou… I think he’s closer to the spirit of Zissou then he knows or admits.

K** the contemplative/thinker Zissou

John demonstrating that yachties don’t just drink Single Malt

Click on image above for details.

Thanks to Gina for the design!

And by Racing – we mean – mucking about in boats.

On Wednesday, July 23rd we’re hoping to put together the first of what will hopefully become a weekly dinghy racing event/party (emphasis on party). Basically beg, borrow or steal (we didn’t just tell you to steal a dinghy, did we?) a dinghy and show up on the north side of K dock at K-18 (where the Westsail 28 is) and we’ll work it out from there depending on conditions that day. Since it’s dinghy racing – a dinghy isn’t required – just show up and drink if you’re mini-boatless.

Event details:

Date: Thursday, July 23rd @ 6:30pm (until whenever)
Location: K-18 (north side of K dock) @ Shilshole Marina
Contact: Give me a ring if you need to be let in 425-894-3064 (wiseleyb@gmail.com)

Race possibilities….

Capture the flag – we’ll put a flag out on the point in Golden Gardens… once you have the flag you’ll have to defend it against marauding dinghies on the way back.

‘Round the break water – I did this last night – took about an hour and was a bit challenging in rough chop towards the north entrance.

Relay Race – One person from each team will be required to sail a leg.

Last one floating – I’m not sure if it ever gets warm enough here or if the sketchy water in the marina ever gets clear enough… but, maybe off Golden Gardens? Open dinghy warfare close to shore.

Fun evening hanging out with some friends on K dock. Les and Jane (K dock), K**, Fisher (Q dock) and Gina (no dock, but can be found on K dock most days). Beer, wine, cheese, ice cream, pretty nice sunset, fun in the sailing dinghy… I’m still not sure why everyone isn’t living on boats.

K** and the poodle (yes, there was a poodle on my boat… never thought I’d say that).

Gina and Les

Fisher and K**

From back of head going clockwise – Les, Jane (sail maker), Ben (pretends to be code monkey), Fisher (still not sure what he does), and K**

Jane mucking about in the “new” sailing dinghy

Jane in the dinghy

Spotted yesterday around K dock.  Nice bike!

Kat and I were paddling around the marina the other day and came upon the pirates of G dock.

Of course – it’d be much better if they were on R dock…

I always find it amusing that thunderstorms in Seattle are “news” but, they’re so rare that they’re always kind of fun. We had big thunderstorms moving through starting yesterday and going until early this morning. Kind of nice having the shortest stick on dock! One strike definitely must have hit something down here. Just hoping it clears up for the 4th or the raft up in Lake Union is going to be miserable.

From the number of people I see doing this it’s no secret but, if you want a super good cardio work out close by there are around 290 stairs you can climb at Golden Gardens (about a 10 minutes walk from Shilshole). It takes me around 10 minutes to go up and down them all… do that three times and it’s a pretty good work out. Or – do it once in the morning on the way to get coffee. There’s a great little coffee shop at the top: Cafe Fiore.

The start is near the little traffic circle inside Golden Gardens.

It then just goes up

and up

and up

and up

and up

and you eventually hit Cafe Fiore at the tip top.

Be careful running back down… a fall down the top flight of stairs would Mayan Sacrifice your ass.

After Indian food on deck Gina and I were paddling around north of K dock last night checking out the boats and trying to meet some other live-aboards (didn’t have much success). If you see us out there say hi.

Oh, the dinghy, not so good going to windward in anything over 10 mph winds. We should have been sailing last night.

Gina in the “dinghy”

Nice sunset last night

Cold and foggy this morning with a nice north wind.