The Party Boat Award for 2001-2 went to Kris and Lisa Engvall. Congratulatuions!
This is the second year for this award, which goes to the boat attending the most Cruises last year.
All week long, we had been planning to go on the Club’s monthly Cruise. McMicken was the destination for April, and it is a favorite destination for us. Saturday morning we awoke to gray skies and rain. “Oh well, we said we were going and we are!”
“I’ll take some things down to the boat while you do everything else.”
“Gee, it is a really low tide which makes launching harder. Maybe we better wait until mid afternoon to leave.” And thus we started late but eventually we were on our way.
“The rain has stopped and there is a little wind. Let’s pop the spinnaker.” A slow run got us to Dana Passage.
“Oops, the wind died. Drop the chute. Wow look at the porpoises swimming in our stern wake as we go backwards.”
“Oh heck, it is so late we will miss the potluck. We can just go to Hope Island and skip the Club Cruise.”
“Ah gee, I like McMicken and I want to support the Cruise Program. Let’s motor.” A little after 1800 hrs. we reached McMicken.
“Hey, there is Angela blasting around in a powered inflatable. The pot luck will be in 20 minutes.”
“All right we made it in time.”
“Let’s anchor over there; not the most sheltered but clear of other boats.” We anchor and kayak over to land where we have great food, good conversation and real beer.
“And now we are going to have a drawing for prizes. The winner of a hand held GPS ... Strider.”
“Hey that’s us, wow. What a treat.”
Back at the boat, we sit on one of the nets (no not the internet) watching the sky. “Look to the west there. Those are all planets: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.”
“Neat. Hey look the stars are starting to pop out and look, that must be a satellite, see how it is blinking.”
“No that’s just an airplane.”
Finally bedtime and yet the best is to come. Standing on the back of the boat, brushing my teeth I look southeast. “What is that light on the horizon? Why it is Mt. Rainier. But what is that light? Oh my. Hey sweetie come here quick!”
“What is it?”
“It’s the moon coming up. A FUULLL MOOOON coming up over Mount Rainier. A big fire orange, gorgeous moon rising.”
“And you wanted to go to Hope Island.” Good things happen on South Sound Cruises.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Strider
The SSSS Cruise to Gig Harbor on the weekend of March 9-10 was lightly attended but full of fun! Early in the week, the weather called for strong winds, cold temperatures, and lots of rain. The forecasters did not deliver exactly as expected. We certainly had rain, but Saturday brought little wind. Boats heading north from Olympia found light and variable winds pushing them along. Two boats made the trek in these light winds: Koosah, with only Dave Knowlton on board, and Kris Engvall on his new yellow trimaran tentatively called Banana Split. A new boat owner, John Summers, with Eric and Angela Siegel on board, headed south from Seattle to join the festivities as the Cruise host on Nanook, a Crealock 37. Other SSSS Members arrived via land yacht. Scott Awalt made the drive, and Lisa Engvall arrived to save her husband Kris from a cold sail back south on his trimaran.
Chris Engvall’s arrival shortly before dusk was certainly a surprise. He left Beachcrest in his 16-foot 1-seater trimaran at 1430 with only sail and paddle for propulsion. His cell phone and handheld GPS constituted his communication and navigation electronics. While he made it safely, he certainly could not have been described as either warm or dry.
While the attendance was low, there was plenty of food and fun for all. We enjoyed a bounty of potluck goodies, including Dave’s famous pizza, some great grilled kabobs, salads, and Lisa’s amazing pineapple coconut cake! Door prizes lit up the experience with items including a lantern, some candles, a flashlight, and tap-light.
Gig Harbor continues to be a wonderful wintertime cruise destination!
Angela Siegel, Rouser
Thanksgiving fun still lingered in the air as South Sound Members set out for the November Cruise at Swantown Marina. People arrived early to warm up inside on Bob and Beth Connellys’ boat Orion, soon to be renamed Dashaa, Greek for “from the sea”. Warmed by laughter mixed with hot buttered rum and hot apple cider, the group kept making room for one more … soon 18 people were aboard the boat! Most people arrived by car, but the Connellys and Res, aboard Re-Treat took care to provide us with plenty of boat space!
All in all, aboard Bob and Beth’s boat were their son Sean Connelly and friend Stephanie Zorn, Nancy and Tony Re with Matt, Liz and Nicole Re and Nicole’s friend Casie McConnachie, Lisa and Kris Engvall, Dave and Linda Knowlton, Judi Kruller, Eric and Angela Siegel, and Scott Awalt.
Before the potluck, we gave away some prizes based on the date of upcoming birthdays. The Res brought a ringer as daughter Nicole’s 25th birthday was only days a way! In fact, Nicole, Liz and Matt Re were amongst the next five upcoming birthdays! They definitely had this rigged! The others were Chris Engvall and Scott Awalt. For just being born, they were able to pick amongst prizes including holiday candles, a thermos, a set of can cozies and some hot buttered rum mix.
After much fun, the group moved next door to Nancy and Tony Res’ boat, Re-Treat, for the potluck. The boat was decorated from bow to stern with birthday flare to celebrate Nicole’s 25th! Throughout the night, we sang “Happy Birthday” to Nicole at least 25 times, often led by Dave Knowlton! Potluck food was phenomenal as always and was followed up with a fantastic piece of Nicole’s birthday cake!
Special thanks from all of us to Bob and Beth Connelly for sharing their boat with us and hosting this last Cruise to Swantown. Also, we would like to thank Nancy and Tony Re for allowing us to use their boat for the potluck and for sharing Nicole’s birthday celebration with us all!
Dave Knowlton took a photo of the Res talking to Judi Kruller inside a decorated boat.
Angela Siegel, Rouser
The Halloween cruise on October 27 -28 was a smashing success. With pumpkin carving, costumes and fun, everyone had a great time. Despite a gray Saturday morning, 18 boats rallied their troupes and made it out to Longbranch. As a reward for their efforts, the rain broke for the majority of the afternoon. This allowed for the master carvings of 14 pumpkin-savvy teens. From spooky to ghoulish, the pumpkins were artistic. Of note, were some beautiful pumpkins by the under-twelve crowd consisting of Reid Marilyn, Brett, Matt and Ben from Koosah and Destiny II.
Following the pumpkins, a tough act to follow, was a delicious potluck. One of our Members said it best, “How can people cook like this on a boat?” Our answer, we don’t know but it was amazing! We gave Thanksgiving a run for her money.
After dessert, we proceeded to the costume contest. Ellie and the wild gang of teenagers that Magewind housed out-costumed us all in a team-costume consisting of a fork, spoon, complete with milk and Cheerios, napkin, plate, etc. There were also sharks, a Balder, a pumpkin, and more! But it was the kids that stole the show. Ben , of Destiny II, won first prize as a spider, complete with six moving legs. Marilyn, Koosah, was an oh-so-cute kitty-cat in second place. And tied for third were Brett, Reid, and Matt as Robin Hood, Zorro, and a Hippie.
We have photos of the costumes and pumpkin carving.
Kids, and some adults, headed out for boat-to-boat trick-or-treating. The Other people stayed up chatting below the heat lamp that we had burning under the great shelter we were able to use while at Longbranch.
The next morning, people hungout over coffee and hot cocoa under the shelter before heading home. The trip home consisted of sunny skies and nice breezes. Around 1400, a dozen SSSS boats could be seen sailing down Dana Passage on their way back home. A beautiful sight! All in all, a wonderful weekend!
Boats attending were: Time Spinner, Grendel, Balder, Cascadia, Aquila, Sandpiper, Segundo Viento, Orion, Magewind, the boat formerly known as Sea Witch, Koosah, Playback, Rouser, Lowfer II, Charis, Altrice, Destiny II, and Murrelet.
Angela Siegel, Rouser
What a wonderful way to whileaway a weekend with whispers of wind and wafts of welcome weather.
We really Stretched the Summer! The weather was balmy during the day and then reminded us as the sun went down that fall was on its way.
Photos of the Cruise: the beach, the potluck, and the museum.
Twenty-five boats and about 75 sailors journeyed to the Commodores’ Cruise at Stretch Island. Past Commodores who contributed to the merriment included Susanne Ames, John Sherman, Curtis Dahlgren, Jim Lengenfelder, and Ray Kycek. Several other past Commodores “almost” made it but had to bail out at the last minute.
Boats started arriving around 1300 and the rafting began. Eight boats constituted the largest raft and it made it through the night on one 35-pound Bruce anchor and a Fortress stern anchor. The rowdiest raft appeared to be the boats Re-Treat, Orion, Acquitted, Balder and Grendel. There was noise way after midnight! Had the wind come up, it would have been a rousing anchor drill for everyone!
The potluck commenced at 1730. An abundance of delicious food, with ample drinks, created an ambiance that sailors share throughout their community. Of special note was the assistance in landing the dinghies provided by Matthew and Benjamin of Destiny II. They proved that anyone under six years of age has no fear or feeling of cold water!
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Stretch Island residents Dave & Helen, and Bob & Shirley for allowing the club to use their driveway the next day so we could visit the Museum; private property surrounds the State Park. They were also our guests at the potluck.
As the sun went down, the jackets came on and the entertainment began. Mike Lackey, Thom Abbott, Carol Johnston and Mike Smith provided the guitar and harmonica accompaniment for the singing around the “campfire”, a Coleman lantern — no fires allowed. As the temperature continued to fall and the voices started to fade, one could hear the individual dinghies slowly making their way back to the warmth of the mother ship.
Sunday morning was ushered in with bright sunlight and clear, crisp air! At 0930 most of the sailors met on the beach for the half mile stroll to the Museum of Puget Sound. Situated in the old St. Charles Winery, Mr. Bill Somers manages an interesting collection of photos, bells, whistles, signal lights, shadow boxes, wheels, engines and articles associated with maritime activities with emphasis on the Mosquito Fleet of Puget Sound. Bill was an Able-body Seaman on some of the Mosquito Fleet boats. All could tell that this was a fun visit: fog horns were sounding, bells were clanging, messages were sent back and forth via the sound tubes — very important that his nearest neighbors live a distance away! Bill was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his contribution to our successful Cruise.
The fleet started breaking up after lunch and found that it was great sailing in ten knots of headwind down Case Inlet. The wind died at Dana Passage, which gave all a chance to get the boat squared away under motor prior to arriving at the dock. At last glance, however, George and Betty were still sailing, as was Magic Carpet!
Boats attending the Cruise included: Acquitted, Alethia, Balder, Columbia Transit, Destiny II, Grendel, Heather, High Hope, Intuition, Isostasy, Koosah, Lowfer II, Magic Carpet, Misty Isles, Natalia, O-My-God, Orion, Pas de Chat, Power Surge, Re-Treat, Releaf, Sunday’s Child, Vela, Wizard and Zorba. Sean Trew visited the cruise on a Boston Whaler, but could not stay the night.
That was a neat way to Stretch the Summer!
Linda & Dave Knowlton, Koosah
While the wind was sparse, the food was plentiful! Several summer-loving South Sounders arrived into Oro Bay for the mid-July Cruise. Boats rafted together and enjoyed a peaceful evening of food, games and fun. Several new faces showed up for the Cruise guests and friends of Members came out of the woodwork to enjoy the beautiful summer weather! While no access to shore was available in Oro Bay, the activities afloat more than made up for it. From group board games and socializing to explorations by dinghy, all time was accounted for. It turned out to be a peaceful anchorage and a wonderful weekend getaway for all!
We have the list of participants for the Oro Bay cruise... Along with their favorite cruise destination. Rouser: Angela Siegel Sucia Island, Eric Siegel Stuart Island, Lori Wells (guest) Oro Bay, Jay Wells (guest) Bahamas. Magic Carpet: Kris & Lisa Engvall, Cane Garden Bay, BVI. Balao: Rich & Chyrstel Mayer, Klickitat. Haleakala: John & Stephen (son) Metzler Shilshole.
Angela Seigel, Rouser