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A Perfect Holiday Daytrip in the South Sound

After almost nine months of waiting, Sea Lab was finally back in the water. Like many boats sitting idle, she had been slowly deteriorating on her trailer. Life had thrown many challenges our way, preventing us from enjoying our time on the water. Typically, by July, we’d have logged several weeks on our boat and be gearing up for a festive Independence Day weekend. However, this year was different—I hadn’t been out since October.

It felt strange not to be on the water for Independence Day, so we made it happen. Despite having work commitments in the days leading up to the holiday, we were determined to squeeze in some prep time for Sea Lab. Moving our homeport from Tacoma to Grapeview had added a layer of excitement; we were eager to explore our new local waters. Although we had previously cruised in Case Inlet, it felt entirely different now that it was our home.

We were joined by our longtime friends Al and Sue as we hurriedly launched Sea Lab at Latimer’s Landing, just under the Harstine Island bridge. Time was of the essence, as we needed to launch before the tide dropped to a minus-3-foot low. After prepping the boat and ensuring everything was secured, I backed down the ramp, feeling a rush of excitement. As Sea Lab slid off the trailer, it felt like she sighed with relief upon touching the salty waters of the Salish Sea once again. Al and Sue secured her lines while I parked the truck in the nearly empty lot. The motor started effortlessly, and we were soon on our way, making our way under the bridge and down Pickering Passage—a route we couldn’t navigate with our previous sailboat, Moondance, due to its tall mast.

The morning of the Fourth of July was beautiful, with clear skies and warm temperatures. As we motored slowly along the east side of Squaxin Island, we enjoyed the tranquility. There were no other boats in sight as we passed the fish pens and oyster beds being tended during the very low tide. It felt fantastic to be back on the water after such a long time.

Spotting a group of larger boats anchored at the south tip of Squaxin Island, we decided to drift in and shut off the motor. Al whipped out some bratwursts from the previous night’s barbecue—a perfect sailor’s breakfast! As we enjoyed our meal, we felt rejuvenated and ready for the day. After drifting in waters just six feet deep, we decided to venture back into deeper territory.

Maneuvering through the shallow waters at the southern end of Peal Passage, I recounted a humorous sailing adventure from my early days with our first boat, Seashell, a Venture 17 swing keel. I remembered tacking in a nice breeze while the tide pushed us into the mud—an experience that still brings laughter whenever we retell it.

As Sea Lab glided into Dana Passage, we noted that Boston Harbor was nearby, making it a great potential stop for a cold lunch beverage. Approaching the harbor, we found plenty of room on the guest dock. To my surprise, the docks looked brand new—a significant upgrade from the last time I visited on my birthday just a year earlier when they were in disrepair. Climbing up the steep gangway due to the low tide, we found the taproom open and ready to serve. We grabbed our favorite drinks and found a table on the landing, relishing the lively atmosphere of a marina bustling on such a festive day.

After enjoying our refreshments, we made our way back to Sea Lab and noticed that the docks were sitting in the mud due to the extreme low tide. The mood on the docks was cheerful, filled with greetings and conversations as we waved goodbye to new friends while shoving off. We decided to head over to Joemma Beach State Park on Key Peninsula to see if anything exciting was happening there.

The water was smooth as glass, prompting us to pick up speed to 20 knots along Harstine Island’s shore. Alan commented that it would take him half a day to reach the park in his Ranger 29 sailboat. Upon our arrival, I was surprised to see only three boats at the docks despite it being a holiday weekend. I couldn’t help but wish we could stay overnight, but finding a spontaneous campsite in western Washington during a holiday weekend can be quite the challenge. However, boating offers much better odds, something many land lovers aren’t aware of.

Just then, I received a text from our friends Rob and Tracy, who had just launched their boat, Blue Pearl. They were wondering where we were and suggested we meet at Dutcher’s Cove, just south of Vaughn Bay. They mentioned it was shallow there, a perfect spot for a swim. Excited, we turned in their direction, but when we arrived at Dutcher’s Cove, we found it completely empty. We wanted to drop anchor and wait for Rob and Tracy but ran into an issue—the windlass wouldn’t respond when I pushed the button. Questioning what could have caused the malfunction in the months since we last used it, I realized that troubleshooting would have to wait. Without swimsuits, we shifted our plans towards Jarrell Cove instead.

Jarrell Cove State Park has long been a favorite destination of ours. We crossed Case Inlet and made our way to the northern tip of Harstine Island, arriving to find plenty of space at the state park’s dock. After tying up, I called Rob to inform him of our change of plans. They had decided to anchor at Eagle Island State Park instead. Though we regretted missing our meetup, we realized there would be other opportunities in the future. We took a stroll in the woods around the park before heading back to Sea Lab for some snacks and fizz water, marveling at the beauty of the day.

As we prepared to leave, we untied the dock lines and smoothly maneuvered through the moored boats and paddleboarders, heading back into Pickering Passage. The bridge where we launched was soon in sight, and we got ready to dock. However, this time, the tides had changed dramatically; it was peak high tide, raising the dock significantly above the ramp. This posed a new challenge. I jumped into the hot truck, backed down the ramp, and, with some creative rigging and wading, we finally brought Sea Lab back onto her trailer and hitched her up.

As we said our goodbyes and discussed plans for future outings, Al and Sue departed while Tekla and I prepared for the short drive home. During the ride, I reflected on how all my stress and anxiety from the past months had vanished, leaving me grateful for our boat and the serene waters that have provided us with so much joy. I felt incredibly fortunate.

Dennis, Tekla, and their sailor dog Tim Tim have recently relocated their home cruising waters from Tacoma to Case Inlet at Grapeview, and they are excited to delve deeper into the wonders of the South Sound.

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