Thursday, July 31, 2008

Lake Chelan

It has been a while since I last updated my blog….We have been in Chelan, WA for the last 5 days enjoying boating, sightseeing and hanging out with friends.

The highlight of the trip was a 110 mile boat ride (round trip) with friends. We started at the south end of Lake and cruised north for 55 miles to Stehekin at the very northern end of the lake. We had a great breakfast at the local "resort" and finished our visit with a short hike.

Here are some shots from our Chelan trip…


Chelan Sunset.....


Chelan Apricots....


Cross on top of local Episcopal church built in 1895


California Quail on the run...


Waterfall near 25 mile creek...




Early Sunrise mountain shadows on mountains...



Stehekin Resort


Float plane pilot paddling (literally) into Stehekin...


Float Plane heading out of Stehekin.....(barely)



Northern end of Lake Chelan....

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Hanging out on Ray Nash Drive

We are really getting used to the Summer life on Ray Nash Drive. Here are some recent random shots of life at 7406....




Ash reading a book on the boat at sunset...



Bama fetching a stick....(George dreaming he could)..


Blue Heron giving the "shake" move while waiting for fish...


Green Heron on the hunt for small crabs (first sighting since we have lived here)..



Heading out in the boat with friends from our house for a evening tour...

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Dog Days of Boating

I have not taken too many pictures lately due to other duties… Cindi and I have though taken some quick evening trips out of the Harbor…. (it never gets old)…

Here are some pictures from our outings..…

Cindi at 30MPH


Tepee, Sailboats, Sea Plane and Gig Harbor Lighthouse


Mt. Rainier glimpses never get old....


Gig Harbor Lighthouse with Rainier

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Fire, Eagles, Seals and Mount Rainier

It never ceases to amaze me how many cool things happen on the water just around Gig Harbor. In all honesty, you don't need to travel to the San Juan Islands, Deception Pass, etc.. to find amazing sights and sounds.

Yesterday evening we headed out of Gig Harbor in our boat and noticed a fire on the west side of Pt. Defiance Park. We took off to view the fire and waited for the Tacoma Police and Fire boats to arrive. You can see Fort Nisqually as well in one of these pictures.

After the fire (and after the Police boat yelling/telling us to “GET BACK BAYLINER”), we headed around the point of Point Defiance and were overwhelmed with wildlife. There were at least eight Bald Eagles flying over head, at least 10 Harbor Seals swimming next to us and of course beautiful Mount Rainier was in full view the entire time.

Enjoy!

Tacoma Police and Fire boats


Tacoma Fire boat fighting fire below Fort Nisqually


Harbor Seal checking us out


Sunset over Gig Harbor


The Majestic Rainier


Immature Bald Eagle looking for food


Mature Bald Eagle with Pine Cones...

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Tall Ships in Commencement Bay


We took a boat ride this afternoon/evening with friends. We took off out of Gig Harbor and headed to the Tacoma waterfront. After dinner, we headed into Commencement Bay to view the Tall ships that are in town for the next five days.
Here are some pictures from the evening.. (our favorite ship was the Virginia..shown here twice)


The Virginia

Tall Ship, Sunset and Olympic Mountains

The Virginia take 2

Young Pirates