Saturday, December 24, 2011
Not Fit for Man nor Beast
Out there today! That is except for jake, he is the only one that enjoyed his walk today. 51d F. Winds gusting to 27, white caps on the bay....brrrr. Good day to stay on the dry side of the windows. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Dr. Jake C. Harleton
Dr. Jake C. Harleton is 7 years old today!
He loves the Christmas Parade
Plenty of petting from Kids of all ages.
He even loves the snow.
He goes to church...at least for the Pet
Blessing (petting).
Our Friends David and Patty sent me a shirt.
Jake decided it was his shirt.
He had a great time helping us pick tangerines.
Great fun at the Pearland Dog Park.
Fourth of July celebrations in Valdez, Alaska. He actually lead the parade with us on our trikes.
What about Me??
Jake loves to go for a trike run.
What a beautiful baby.
He always gets to go with us.
Beach Bum!!
Road Kill!!
Happy Birthday Dr. Jake C. Harleton, MD "Jake" and many more!!
He loves the Christmas Parade
Plenty of petting from Kids of all ages.
He even loves the snow.
He goes to church...at least for the Pet
Blessing (petting).
Our Friends David and Patty sent me a shirt.
Jake decided it was his shirt.
He had a great time helping us pick tangerines.
Great fun at the Pearland Dog Park.
Fourth of July celebrations in Valdez, Alaska. He actually lead the parade with us on our trikes.
What about Me??
Jake loves to go for a trike run.
What a beautiful baby.
He always gets to go with us.
Beach Bum!!
Road Kill!!
Happy Birthday Dr. Jake C. Harleton, MD "Jake" and many more!!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Willie's Tug in New Slip
We have been keeping our new Ranger Tug 27 at our low outside dock. Works fine except when a Norther blows through and we have tremendous currents, turbulent waters and winds that cause Willie to move about a little too much for my comfort. The extraordinary high tides during the Norther makes for constant tending with a fixed dock. Using the lift inside the boat house required some modifications that we just completed enough to make this her permanent home. 
As you can see Willie's Tug just fits with very little room to spare. We will fine tune the project in the next few days, but as you can see it works. Today with wind out of the Northeast and two foot waves or so in the bay, she is snug in her new home.Walldog, Willie, and Jake
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sleepless Night
Quite a wind event last evening and this morning. Sustained North winds of 36 with gusts to 49. Willie's Tug is side tied to our low dock that is usually about 12 inches above mean high tide. Well during the evening we had about 3 inches of water over the dock. We doubled up on all our lines and and used all of our fenders. All night we continually adjusted the fenders to keep Willie off the pilings and dock. Between adjustments we prayed and checked our insurance policy. Currently the wind is down a bit at 21 gusting to 29 so it is a bit calmer in our "protected channel". Praise God, Willie's Tug survived with nary a scratch, but Walldog is a bit tired this morning.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
La Serda Del Norte
Willie has been writing about our friends cabin in Island Park UT. Here is a picture of that cabin taken on October 6th, just a few days after we were there.
Looks like we just dodged the snow.
Walldog, Willie and Jake
Monday, September 26, 2011
How We Got Here or
How two people and an 80 pound dog live aboard a 27 foot boat for 4 months.
It all started with our 18' SeaDoo Challenger jet boat. Herb thought this shallow draft boat would be perfect for our shallow waters in the Laguna Madre. Willie never liked this boat because it was rough and wet riding. Herb liked it because it was sporty and fast.
Our search for a more suitable boat started when we saw the C-Dory CD25 owned by Jim Bathurst, our neighbor in Port Isabel. A boat with an enclosed cabin and windshield wipers. After introducing ourselves to Jim, he became a friend and advisor in our quest for the perfect boat. Jim introduced us to the internet group called the C-Brats. This group is an owners group for folks that own or are interested in C-Dory boats. The C-Brats led us to the TugNuts, a group devoted to the Ranger Tugs, and they led to the first Willie's Tug.
Willie loved this boat, Jake loved this boat and Herb loved this boat. We spent many hours plying the waters of the ICW and Brownsville Ship Channel watching dolphins.
While owning this 1997 Ranger Tug R21 with an 18 hp Yanmar diesel, we were introduced to the Laguna Madre Yacht Club by our neighbor Tommy Carruth. We went on an overnight with the club to Arroyo City on the Arroyo Colorado River. This was a wonderful trip, but we found out that overnights on the little 21 were not very comfortable in the Texas heat and mosquitoes. So "2footidus" set in and we continued our search for the perfect boat.
In September of 2010 we found ourselves at the Ranger Tug Rendezvous in Bremerton, WA. We traveled to the Rendezvous with our friends Bob and Nita Ostlund in their Ranger Tug R29 from their home in Bothel, WA. After visiting with about 40 or so Ranger Tug owners with their boats, we determined that we would purchase a new Ranger Tug R27. This R27 is newest of the Ranger Tug lineup of trailer-able boats. It has a 180 hp Yanmar diesel and is the largest Ranger Tug that is trailer-able without a permit, as the beam is 8.5 feet. We placed an order for the R27 at the Rendezvous asking that it be built over the winter with our taking delivery early summer 2011.
The winter of 2010-11 was spent preparing for the new Willie's Tug. Little Willie's Tug was advertised and sold on the TugNuts web site to a very nice couple from San Mateo, CA. Bob and Dil drove to Texas and spent a pleasant couple of days at our home taking possession of their new boat soon to be renamed Hercules. It was a bitter-sweet day that we watched our little tug leave Port Isabel.
Steve and Tina of the Christina Bee came for a visit and helped us enlarge our slip in preparation for bringing the new R27 home.
Russ and Toni of Traveler came for a visit and helped confirm our decision to purchase the R27. We showed them our dolphins and the shallow waters of the Laguna Madre.
Russ was a little nervous as we headed across the bay in 6 foot water. He was not prepared for that after leaving the deep water of the Pacific Northwest.
Finally the day arrived for us to load Jake in the red truck and head North and West to see and take delivery of our new Ranger Tug R27. Everyone told us how beautiful it was, but we still had not seen it for ourselves and were just a bit anxious.
We arrive at the Ranger Tug Factory in Kent, WA. and look all over the yard for our boat. It was no where to be found. We go inside and see Andrew Custis and Jeff Messmer, they tell us that our boat is waiting for us in the water at the Des Moines Marina. Andrew gives us the keys and and tells us to enjoy our evening on the boat. He will come in the morning and start our orientation.
We get our first view of the new Willie's Tug.
The next day, we get a thorough orientation from Andrew, and start making the boat our home for next 4 months. Much to do. We need to install Jake's Ferry, and learn how to use the many systems. Since most of them are similar to our RV, we adapt quickly. While we had become proficient with the 21, this 27 is much larger and a bit daunting.
After a couple of days in Des Moines, we load the boat on our trailer and move about 75 miles North to Anacortes.
Over the next 4 months, we cruise the beautiful San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and Desolation Sound.
The water temperature up here has not moved much from about 52d F. except for Desolation Sound where we find water in the 70s. A refreshing change for us to be able to dip our toes in those beautiful waters.
All too soon we must load up and leave the Pacific Northwest. We take about 10 days to work our way back to Port Isabel. Spending some nights with friends, some in motels, and some in RV parks using Willie's Tug as a boater home.
Finally Willie's Tug is at home in the warm waters of the Laguna Madre.
We have visited by boat Center Island, James Island, Stuart Island, Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Spencer Spit, Jones Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, Sidney BC, Buchart Cove and Gardens, Salt Spring Island, Montague Harbor, Bedwell Cove, Desolation Sound and many others.
This article is not a complete travel-log, Willie has kept a more or less daily journal which you can see here.
Walldog aka Herb Stark, Willie aka Wilma Stark, and Jake.
It all started with our 18' SeaDoo Challenger jet boat. Herb thought this shallow draft boat would be perfect for our shallow waters in the Laguna Madre. Willie never liked this boat because it was rough and wet riding. Herb liked it because it was sporty and fast.
Willie loved this boat, Jake loved this boat and Herb loved this boat. We spent many hours plying the waters of the ICW and Brownsville Ship Channel watching dolphins.
While owning this 1997 Ranger Tug R21 with an 18 hp Yanmar diesel, we were introduced to the Laguna Madre Yacht Club by our neighbor Tommy Carruth. We went on an overnight with the club to Arroyo City on the Arroyo Colorado River. This was a wonderful trip, but we found out that overnights on the little 21 were not very comfortable in the Texas heat and mosquitoes. So "2footidus" set in and we continued our search for the perfect boat.
The winter of 2010-11 was spent preparing for the new Willie's Tug. Little Willie's Tug was advertised and sold on the TugNuts web site to a very nice couple from San Mateo, CA. Bob and Dil drove to Texas and spent a pleasant couple of days at our home taking possession of their new boat soon to be renamed Hercules. It was a bitter-sweet day that we watched our little tug leave Port Isabel.
Steve and Tina of the Christina Bee came for a visit and helped us enlarge our slip in preparation for bringing the new R27 home.
Russ and Toni of Traveler came for a visit and helped confirm our decision to purchase the R27. We showed them our dolphins and the shallow waters of the Laguna Madre.
Russ was a little nervous as we headed across the bay in 6 foot water. He was not prepared for that after leaving the deep water of the Pacific Northwest.
Finally the day arrived for us to load Jake in the red truck and head North and West to see and take delivery of our new Ranger Tug R27. Everyone told us how beautiful it was, but we still had not seen it for ourselves and were just a bit anxious.
We arrive at the Ranger Tug Factory in Kent, WA. and look all over the yard for our boat. It was no where to be found. We go inside and see Andrew Custis and Jeff Messmer, they tell us that our boat is waiting for us in the water at the Des Moines Marina. Andrew gives us the keys and and tells us to enjoy our evening on the boat. He will come in the morning and start our orientation.
The next day, we get a thorough orientation from Andrew, and start making the boat our home for next 4 months. Much to do. We need to install Jake's Ferry, and learn how to use the many systems. Since most of them are similar to our RV, we adapt quickly. While we had become proficient with the 21, this 27 is much larger and a bit daunting.
After a couple of days in Des Moines, we load the boat on our trailer and move about 75 miles North to Anacortes.
Over the next 4 months, we cruise the beautiful San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and Desolation Sound.
The water temperature up here has not moved much from about 52d F. except for Desolation Sound where we find water in the 70s. A refreshing change for us to be able to dip our toes in those beautiful waters.
Finally Willie's Tug is at home in the warm waters of the Laguna Madre.
We have visited by boat Center Island, James Island, Stuart Island, Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Spencer Spit, Jones Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, Sidney BC, Buchart Cove and Gardens, Salt Spring Island, Montague Harbor, Bedwell Cove, Desolation Sound and many others.
This article is not a complete travel-log, Willie has kept a more or less daily journal which you can see here.
Walldog aka Herb Stark, Willie aka Wilma Stark, and Jake.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Friday, September 02, 2011
Classic Wooden Boat
Here are a couple of nice classic wood boats that are at Cap Sante Boat Haven in Anacortes this week. Makes a nice view from the spot that Willie's Tug has in the marina.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Found in Anacortes
This is Kismet owned by Jim and Lisa Favors. They recently took delivery of this Ranger Tug R27 and are on their way for a short tour of the San Juan Islands before heading South to Bremerton for the Ranger Rendezvous September 9th. We had a short visit with Jim and Lisa last evening, they seem to really like their new Tug. They moved from a 40' boat, so this is a bit of an adjustment. Look for them across the US as this trailer-able boat has opened up a whole new world of cruising for the Favors.
Check out the Favors Great Loop Blog from the link located on the right side of this page.
Walldog, Willie and Jake
Walldog, Willie and Jake
Friday, August 12, 2011
And Willie Said: Day 92 - Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina on Vanc...
And Willie Said: Day 92 - Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina on Vanc...: "We get a pleasant surprise today as marina guests stop by to visit. We are delighted to learn that these new friends are Linda and Tom, al..."
And Willie Said: Day 91 - Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina on Vanc...
And Willie Said: Day 91 - Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina on Vanc...: "A nice sunrise this morning as we leave Nanaimo to go through Dodd Narrows enroute to Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina. It will be a good..."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
And Willie Said: Day 90 - Nanaimo Harbour on Vancouver Island BC - ...
And Willie Said: Day 90 - Nanaimo Harbour on Vancouver Island BC - ...: "After a visit with Patrick, Gail, Lyman and Janeane, we gain some useful information and leave Squirrel Cove to cross the Strait of Georgia..."
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
And Willie Said: Day 84 - Pender Harbor BC - Tuesday, August 2, 201...
And Willie Said: Day 84 - Pender Harbor BC - Tuesday, August 2, 201...: "Two Cutwater boats join us for the trip continuing to Desolation Sound. Walter and Tammy in the red one, It's a Secret, and Mike in the ..."
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Day 81 - Roche Harbor, San Juan Island WA - Saturday, July 30, 2011
Day 81 - Roche Harbor, San Juan Island WA - Saturday, July 30, 2011: "It is the second day of our gathering with the boaters who will travel together to Desolation Sound. For some it is a lazy day, a day to explore the area, a day to peruse the shops (and find the ice cream store), a day to visit with friends -- but for some it is a day to fine tune things.
I think Jeff wants his solar panel a bit away from his storage box.
Lincoln takes Grandpa Tim for a ride in the kayak.
Nita and Lisa enjoy their kayak rides, also.
Herb and I decide it is a good time to stroll with Jake to see the sculpture garden on the hill.
Along the way we see that Capt. Mac has arrived.
Max of Allotrope joins us for the walk and points out that some of the sculptures are no longer here; perhaps have been sold.
My favorite is the gyroscope.
Birds in the foreground, and the replica of a ship in the background.
I am not sure of the medium, but it appears to be tar forming a relief map of San Juan Island.
We look from west to east, with Roche Harbor at the left.
We see activities preparing for a wedding at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel on the hill.
The outside of the chapel is being decorated with fresh greenery garlad.
The reception will be in the tent we see below as we continue our walk back to the marina.
Max and Herb walk ahead to check out the wedding cake.
Find Willie's Tug. Docked bow in, starboard tie, near the left side of the photo. Dinghy is in the water.
The marina is quite busy today.
We meet Barb and Don of Barbara Ann.
And now we see that Linda is with Capt. Mac.
Max's boat has a gray stripe. Traveling with him are his parents, Jan and Doug.
The Ranger folks caught 51 crabs at Jeff's cabin on Center Island and share with the group for our evening meal.
Wedding guests are kind enough to donate a centerpiece for our table, and Lisa donates a Picton Bay Sauvignon Blanc to compliment it.
She tells me Leroy imports it from New Zealand.
The Terrenal shown below currently comes from Spain.
We meet Gail and Patrick of Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC. Through a mis-communication, we missed seeing them when we visited the island last week.
They will be our guides for the Canadian portion of the trip.
Dinner is served.
Dinner looks wonderful!
Herb enjoys his share, and doesn't move far from the buffet table.
My blueberry cole slaw is consumed, as are many of the other sides that boaters prepared.
The Livingston crew and friends enjoy the feast.
Chiquita's tablecloth is, of course, yellow!
Max found dessert.
Andrew tries not to spill anything on his new clothes.
Gloria of Mvto Hokte has arrived.
Her boat name means 'Thank you, Girl' in Creek language.
After dinner, Lincoln instructs Herb on attaching his motor to the dinghy.
Lotsa Ranger Tugs here, on both sides of the guest dock.
Herb takes Jake and me in the dinghy closer to the shore by the marina office to see the Colors ceremony.
First we see the Color Guard in the center of the photo.
The Harbor flag comes down, as its music is played; the Washington State flag is next, then the Canadian and the British flags, leaving only the flag of the United States of America flying.
As each flag is lowered, the appropriate anthem is played.
Now 'My Country Tiz of Thee.'
"
I think Jeff wants his solar panel a bit away from his storage box.
Lincoln takes Grandpa Tim for a ride in the kayak.
Nita and Lisa enjoy their kayak rides, also.
Herb and I decide it is a good time to stroll with Jake to see the sculpture garden on the hill.
Along the way we see that Capt. Mac has arrived.
Max of Allotrope joins us for the walk and points out that some of the sculptures are no longer here; perhaps have been sold.
My favorite is the gyroscope.
Birds in the foreground, and the replica of a ship in the background.
I am not sure of the medium, but it appears to be tar forming a relief map of San Juan Island.
We look from west to east, with Roche Harbor at the left.
We see activities preparing for a wedding at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel on the hill.
The outside of the chapel is being decorated with fresh greenery garlad.
The reception will be in the tent we see below as we continue our walk back to the marina.
Max and Herb walk ahead to check out the wedding cake.
Find Willie's Tug. Docked bow in, starboard tie, near the left side of the photo. Dinghy is in the water.
The marina is quite busy today.
We meet Barb and Don of Barbara Ann.
And now we see that Linda is with Capt. Mac.
Max's boat has a gray stripe. Traveling with him are his parents, Jan and Doug.
The Ranger folks caught 51 crabs at Jeff's cabin on Center Island and share with the group for our evening meal.
Wedding guests are kind enough to donate a centerpiece for our table, and Lisa donates a Picton Bay Sauvignon Blanc to compliment it.
She tells me Leroy imports it from New Zealand.
We meet Gail and Patrick of Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC. Through a mis-communication, we missed seeing them when we visited the island last week.
They will be our guides for the Canadian portion of the trip.
Dinner is served.
Dinner looks wonderful!
Herb enjoys his share, and doesn't move far from the buffet table.
My blueberry cole slaw is consumed, as are many of the other sides that boaters prepared.
The Livingston crew and friends enjoy the feast.
Chiquita's tablecloth is, of course, yellow!
Max found dessert.
Andrew tries not to spill anything on his new clothes.
Gloria of Mvto Hokte has arrived.
Her boat name means 'Thank you, Girl' in Creek language.
After dinner, Lincoln instructs Herb on attaching his motor to the dinghy.
Lotsa Ranger Tugs here, on both sides of the guest dock.
Herb takes Jake and me in the dinghy closer to the shore by the marina office to see the Colors ceremony.
First we see the Color Guard in the center of the photo.
The Harbor flag comes down, as its music is played; the Washington State flag is next, then the Canadian and the British flags, leaving only the flag of the United States of America flying.
As each flag is lowered, the appropriate anthem is played.
Now 'My Country Tiz of Thee.'
Then the cannon sounds! Loud!
A cacophony of boat horns can be heard, but the loudest sound Herb and I hear is our own laughter as Jake reacts to the loud noise. Not sure what is going on or what is to come next, he makes himself really small, slithers under my seat in the dinghy and gets as close to Herb as he can.
Our brave guard dog.
Now back to our boats.............
Willie of Willie's Tug,
and Walldog, Willie and Jake
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)