Sunday, August 31, 2008

Saturday Adventure

Saturday we decided to take a ride to Hoodsport situated along Hood's Canal and visit our friends George & Ruth.  Bob & George have been friends since they were teenagers and we always enjoy our visits with them.  They used to live in Westport out on the coast but a couple years ago moved "inland" to the Canal.  The Canal is salt water and the conditions can change rapidly if you're out in a boat.   George had bought a "new" boat and was anxious to take us for a ride once we got there.  So we walked down to the dock and there sat the cutest boat.  It reminded me of a fancy "African Queen." 

Anyway, we set out on a boat ride, Ruth & I were sitting in the back there on a nice cushioned seat.  The water was smooth and beautiful as we headed across to the town of Union.  We were traveling at about 6 knots (slightly less than 7 mph).  The water was smooth and the ride so enjoyable.

It took about 39 minutes to get over to where George was heading and then we turned around and headed back toward their dock.  There was a couple of speed boats out buzzing around and they of course were leaving a wake, which we bounced over...but it wasn't too bad.  But when we got out toward the middle of the canal and the wind came up and there were white caps...and waves! 

 

Now this boat sits very close to the water and the waves were coming in over the edge, even splashing on my face.  I was a little scared, I don't swim and I don't like rough water in a little boat like that....it was a white knuckle ride, for me, the rest of the way back to their dock.

Later, we were down by the water again and it was just as smooth as could be.  George asked me if I wanted to go for another boat ride~I politely declined.

This is the community where they live.  Some very nice homes.  They have a private dock & beach.   George & Ruth's house was the original house in this community and is back behind the others.  Originally there were small cabins, and all but one of those has been torn down and this bigger homes built in their place. 

 

 They have a peek-a-boo view of the canal from their deck. 

 

They are planning to add on~building up...so they can see over the top of the other homes.

We had a wonderful day and it was fun to get away.  My dear son in law came over & feed Gabi her Fancy Feast dinner because I knew we would get home late and we did.

 

Cushman Lake is up off Highway 101, not too far from their house.  The Cushman dam is connected to the hydroelectric plant down along the highway...supplying power to the city of Tacoma.  The pipelines and hydro plant are very visible from this section of Hoods Canal.

If you ever get to western Washington, this area is a great place to visit.  So beautiful and so many fun things to do.  There's a lot of neat little town's along this stretchof Highway 101 and there's some great resorts, etc as well as camp grounds to stay. 

 

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!! Makes me miss Washington!!!!   Did you not have a life jacket?  SHame shame.

Anonymous said...

Linda, sounds like a great time, and the pictures are lovely!

I can't swim, either, but I love being out on the lake, or even in the ocean. As long as I know where the life jackets are!!

Beth

Anonymous said...

Very nice day you had... yeah, a little white-knuckled, but I bet most of it was relaxing.  So not fair that those houses were built right in front of George & Ruth's home blocking their view.... that's just RUDE!!!!

Joann

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures loved it!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you hd quite a ride in that little boat.  It can be very dsiconcerting when the water takes over and starts moving th boat around.   D

Anonymous said...

Oh even though I know how to swim I would be white knuckled too. The last time I went out fishing on the Gulf we were 25 miles out and high waves started kicking in I got so sick I haven't been on the water since. That area does look so beautiful though, I'm sure my sister is familiar with it as she and her hubby love to canoe a lot and are into camping too.  I'm trying to see if I can get out there this month or not, all depends on darn Ebay....love, Sandi

Anonymous said...

looks like a delightful day (except for the rough seas)! great pictures!

betty

Anonymous said...

It looks like you had a wonderful day Linda.  I have enjoyed reading about it and seeing all your lovely pictures!
Marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I loved reading about your day Linda, seeing the photos too. I would have been the same as you were in that boat, I don't swim either!  Peter has promised me that when he retires in three years time we'll hire an RV and travel the length of Route 66, maybe we should do Highway 101 too! ~~Pat   http://journals.aol.co.uk/pm71blackfen/ramblings-from-pat/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour...what a wonderful area...beautiful!
cindi

Anonymous said...

beautiful!  Thanks for sharing... some day I hope to get out west...  
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

I loved the pictures..Thank you for sharing,. It reminds me of how my grandmother's house looked like in Delaware...hugs, Christine

Anonymous said...

Your pics are wonderful Linda, brings back my recent memories of highway 101 up to port angeles  and the gig harbour area.  The boat does resemble the African Queen, funnily enough I saw the movie African Queen on Saturday night, while looking for something to watch, a great movie I really enjoyed seeing it again.  I will keep in mind this area, the 101 highway must be the other way past Olympia, we were going to take it but were getting tired and headed for #5 to Portland.  I always enjoy reading your entries, I feel I am travelling with you when you describe allt hese wonderful places.  

Anonymous said...

Glad that you had a mostly nice day away.  It is funny how the water can change so quickly.  The area is beautiful :o)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely way to spend the holiday weekend though I think Id be with you when it got choppy ! and if ever Im in Western Washington ,it will be you I visit hee hee ..love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful place Linda.  What a great way to spend Labor Day weekend.  I loved the photo's.  You can almost smell the air.
Hugs, Joyce

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that Linda, looks like a very scenic area indeed

Anonymous said...

Ill take the boat ride...lol

Anonymous said...

What a delightful way to spend the weekend.....I felt like I was there with those great pictures!

Pooh Hugs,
Linda

Anonymous said...

The boat ride sounds like a good time although I could have done without the rough water.  I think my knuckles would have been white as well.  The houses are gorgeous, oh to live on the water like that!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Oh I love their boat! One day Ian and I talk of buying a pontoon boat and going fishing a lot. It looks beautiful out on the water there. Definitely a good time. :) Kelly