SUNDAY 2 AUGUST 2020, GIG HARBOR, WA

Sunday, 2 August. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS

We went down to the dock at 9:30 to meet up with Bruce and Debbie.  They are taking us out on their boat for the day.  

Bella really isn’t sure if she wants to be a boat dog or not.  She’s a little bit scared.

We shoved off and cruised around the harbor.  Bruce pointed out different boats that he likes and some he thought we might like and gave us info about them.

He showed us all about his Garmin Nav system with its depth , speed and current instruments as well as the display That shows the map with all the info on it as well.

It was a pretty strong current which of course effects your progress and fuel usage.

Debbie shared with us the program she has on her phone and iPad called Navionics.  We have heard a lot about it and Rob did download it.  It is inexpensive to use, $30 a year or so and you can download all the charts and maps for free.

Another program she has is Ferry watch.  A ferry was crossing g in front of us.  Her program had all the info about it; it’s name it’s scheduled departure, it’s actual departure time.  It’s route indicated on her map, it’s expected arrival time, how long it would be on station and what it’s next scheduled departure time was.  That was pretty cool and helpful information.

They have been in the Puget Sound area and San Juan Islands since May. They will remain until mid September.  They have been doing a lot of shrimping and crabbing and have been loving it.  In fact, we had fresh Shrimp cocktails for dinner. Shrimping season just ended and she is bummed about that. They are leaving tomorrow to go back to the Islands and she is dieing to go crabbing again.

We went up to Tacoma and hit the glacier waters.  It is water that is coming down the river from the Mt Rainer Glacier.  It is filled with silt which makes it look a milky white.  It’s really odd, because you can see a definite line where the glacier and harbor waters meet.  

We came back in to Gig Harbor.  There is a channel entrance to GH and if you didn’t hav a chart/map indicating it you really wouldn’t be able to find it.  Visually you cannot see it until you are practically on top of it.

We docked and then walked over to a Tavern on the harbor.  This area, actually all of Washington and especially the Seattle area is really strict about COVID.  We went to the restaurant and masks were required to even approach.  The manager was standing outside to greet you.  Only family members living in the same household could dine inside and they were checking IDs to ensure you had the same address.  You could dine outside, but no more than 5 at a table and there was an hour wait.  Some friends of Bruce and Debbies were going to meet us so we put our names in for two tables.  It was hot.  We walked down to the dock where there was a breeze, then found a bench in the shade.

We got seated, but their friends weren’t there yet. Just after the restaurant gave the second table away their friends arrived.  The cool thing about this Tavern is, if you pull up to their dock they will take your order and deliver the food to your boat.  

So, the 4 of us sat on the patio and their friends ordered and ate on their boat.

I love all the flowers surrounding us

Bruce and Debbie Elkind

After we finished eating, the four of us walked down to the friend’s boat.  We sat in it and visited with them for a bit.  They know each other because last year Bruce and Debbie sold their 27’ Ranger Tug to them and then bought a 29 footer.  They have stayed friends and have traveled a little around the islands together.

We bid our goodbye and thanked them for an awesome day and then Rob Bella and I walked up the street to the 7 Seas Brewery. Richard had told Rob about it and said they had really good beer.

We sat on their patio. Rob tried to order a flight but they wouldn’t serve it which was odd because Richard had a flight two days prior.  We like flights because then I can have sips of a couple rather than having to order a whole beer when I have no idea what I want. Rob also get to try several and combines it’s the equivalent of one beer.  After he finished his beer he went in and bought some cans to go and we walked back to the Jeep.

We returned to the RV park and took naps.  Long afternoon in the sun was exhausting.  

Richard and Darleen came over and visited with us outside until it started getting cold then we went into our respective places for dinner.

We watched a movie (really dumb movie called Get Out) before going to bed.

It was a beautiful night in the Harbor.