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.
