Monday June 23rd. The best of the North West.

Written by Jack van Ommen on June 24th, 2014

A Dutch saying “Oost West thuis best!” East West home best. I had to spend 9 years travelling around the globe to realize that Gig Harbor in June has got to be the best place to be. But you need wings or a sail boat to be gone when the rain and dark days of winter are here.

I am overwhelmed with the love and generosity of so many of my friends and family here. I reported in the previous blog of the help to outfit my galley. Dennis Clark, one of our N.W. Sailing Legends, gave me the gorgeous piece of V.G. Douglas Fir to repair the rotted out plywood transom deck and helped me cut it to size in his woodworking shop. The piece is 12 inches (30 cms) wide. I counted 170 annual rings in this piece. The tree had to be over a 1/4 century. Ron Ray, a long time dear friend, brought me the 3 inch hole saw to cut the hole for the ruder post and a powerful drill motor. Ron also helped me get set up to take advantage of the Food Bank, where he volunteers, and took me there for a monthly visit. I came home with at least the $100 equivalent of a grocery shopping. Much of it in canned food which will serve me well on the boat, without refrigeration.  My dock neighbor Ira Specter is a boat carpenter and he lent me tools and gave me advice on the replacement of the transom deck. Tom Gordon stopped by today with a couple new fenders I need.

World Cup: There is a large screen t/v in the marina lounge. I watched the Americans win from Ghana and the Dutch defeat the Australians. Last night the 2-2 of the U.S. with Portugal. All very exciting games. America is now definitely a player to be reckoned with. The American public is catching on to the soccer sport. My long time friend and St.Nicholas church pew neighbor, Maggie, invited me for a scampi dinner. She came to pick me up in the middle of the game against Portugal, my new marina friend John had just offered me a Heineken but when I got to their home Maggie’s husband was watching the game and offered me a Heineken. Life is good…..The dinner outstanding. They built a new home on the property Maggie grew up on at the head of Wollochet Bay. Her mom was there as well. She will turn 102 this October…. I have known her and her late husband as well for the last 25 years.

Our resident Bald Eagle

Our resident Bald Eagle

Alpen Glueh on Mt. Rainier

Alpen Glueh on Mt. Rainier

Margaret ("Cookie") the centenarian napping.

Margaret (“Cookie”) the centenarian napping.

Andy contemplating his water ski chairs, the senior coal retriever and mother in law.

Andy contemplating his water ski chairs, the senior coal retriever and mother in law.

transom deck and enlarged scupper holes

transom deck and enlarged scupper holes

 

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