Open Water

Yesterday, our family had an experience that I hadn't even realized was on my bucket list.  I've sailed before -- took lessons on a small craft years ago, participated in the Lake Union Duck Dodge and sailed with the Sea Scouts a few years ago with Blake and James.  Russ has worked on boats for work (research boats).

At Faith Lutheran School's auction earlier this year we won the bid for "A Day at Sea". Our day at sea put us aboard a 36 foot boat called Kyrie out of the Edmonds Marina; and included lunch and either the chance to sit and do nothing (relax) or actually crew the boat.  Our host was David Odendahl.

 

We met David at the Marina, shortly before 10 AM and we boarded the boat.  After a brief safety and informational talk, we cast off and began our adventure at sea.  All four of us said we wanted to work the boat, so David put us to work in various ways from hoisting or trimming the sails or standing at the helm and steering the boat.

We tacked back and forth across the sound about 6 times in the course of our day.  Some of the highlights were a container ship with a boat and several construction vehicles on top, birds and other wildlife, antique planes flying overhead and miles and miles of sunshine and blue water.

a boat and several construction vehicles on the top!

Blake the Powder Monkey

The Main sail

Finding our location on the map

Russ and James

Miles and Miles of blue

We had a lovely day and the boys were all smiles.  They were both a bit unhappy that I made them go -- especially when I said there were no electronics allowed.

"What will we do all day?  No fishing?  No Swimming?  No Whale Watching?"

Everyone had a great time and we headed back into harbor by 3:15.  A bit wind-burned, very tired and our heads filled with experiences of sailing, pirating and living the high life.

As you can see, the boys didn't miss their electronics at all...