Seattle, WA. - Puget Sound

One morning before arriving in Seattle, Amy went out to the cockpit to enjoy a beautiful morning. A scrumptious breakfast of pop tarts and hot tea was interrupted by this not so cute little otter. He kept jumping up onto the swim platform (intended for human swimmers) on the back transom. He enjoyed his own breakfast of fish, and left the fish heads for us to admire. Mark and Robert were taking their morning nap down below, so Amy was left to defend the cockpit. A few times the otter wanted to climb up into the boat, and it was up to Amy and her journal to shoo him away.

Seattle, at last!

This photo is taken from the Chittenden Locks, which connect Lake Washington to Shilshole Bay, off of Puget Sound.

This is the "Big Lock." Dozens of boats are crammed in and rafted together in the lock. The outermost boats have a line attached to the lock by the lock attendants (see far right side of photo, in the dark shadow). When the lock is full, they close the doors, fill it up with water, and then open up the doors on the other side to Lake Washington. We kept the boat for a few days at Fisherman's Terminal, a low-cost, no frills, working fleet marina.

In Seattle, we slept on land! Ellen and Kate were nice enough to host us for a few weeks. Margo made a trip to Seattle to say hello and wish Amy a Happy Birthday. All three Reads were so grateful for family and the opportunity to walk on dry land. One afternoon we all boarded Calpurnia and attempted to make a day trip to Blake Island Park. We made the trip, but had to tie up at a 30 minute limit dock. So, the ladies got out for a quick stroll while Mark and Robert stayed on board. The fun was in the journey, not the destination.

While in Seattle, we got to go with Kate to one of her riding lessons. Kate is learning dressage, and we were all impressed with the fancy footwork!!