By Chris McMuldroch: Five boats cruised to Port Orchard on Saturday, June 25th, including Wind Dancer, Serendipity, Those Guys, Dulcinea, and Shaker of Salt. We had 16 to 20 knots of Northerly for a downwind sail from Shilshole to Restoration Point, and then a very fast reach across to Rich Passage, where the flood pushed us along to Sinclair Inlet. After visiting the farmers market and an early dinner, we enjoyed the Port Orchard Fathoms of Fun street parade. We then later took the foot ferry across to Bremerton.
On the Bremerton side we walked through more fair stalls, and out to a little park overlooking the Manette Bridge. At 10:15 the fireworks began. From the wide base of the bridge, the fireworks were fun to see. Plus, they had fireworks that appeared to float on the water, and then a wide waterfall of fireworks from the bridge deck. It was a cool sight!
Sunday was another beautiful and warm day, but not the over 100 degrees we had last year! In the morning we socialized on the dock getting to know each other better: long time CYC cruisers, and new to CYC cruising boats too. Then one by one the boats untied and left Port Orchard to head back through Rich Passage before the maximum flood. Coming back around Restoration Point we were greeted with a 16 to 19 knot Northerly, so up wind this time. Shaker of Salt enjoyed a fast sail tacking up the sound, while the sunbaked lazy Wind Dancer crew motored home upwind. It was another double red letter day with both Baker and Rainer on display.
If this sounds like fun, put it on your calendar for the last weekend of June 2023.
Next, six CYC cruisers are already registered to anchor out July 3rd in Poulsbo for the boat parade and many fireworks from shoreside homes. Then on July 16 we plan to anchor in Blakely Harbor with a view of Seattle for our low tide brunch on Blakely Rock!
