Summer 2014 in review

It has been a slow year for Strider and since the excursion to Poulsbo on Memorial Weekend, she has sat in the marina, patiently waiting.  Kelly's hip was replaced in early June and while the initial recovery was slow, it has picked up and everything is going swimmingly!  The surgeon has finally cleared Kelly to get back aboard and she is looking forward to it!

So, while there was no summer aboard Strider (and no crabbing), we did get a lot done around the villa and estate, things we had put off for a while.  The encroaching forest got cut back.  Lighting and plumbing throughout the garage have been enhanced.  Junk has been off loaded.  Retaining wall built.  Deck railings begun.  Prepped for garage drywall.  Garden planted (onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and lettuce).  Cherries, plums, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, figs and Asian pears have been harvested!  Apples and European pears are on the way.  Wine grapes look fantastic with this exceptionally hot year.  Made blueberry and peach jams!

I know, this is supposed to be a sailing Strider blog.  Still, shore bound life affects time on the water and needed explaining.  While time aboard Strider has been dock bound, maintenance must still be accomplished, so she has been visited and TLC applied.

This water baby however, has gotten out a bit in other ways.

Test sailed a Beneteau Oceanis 45 on Lake Union with RT.  RT was looking for a new boat.  Impression of the Oceanis?  Great acceleration, wonderful accommodations, fantastic tailgate, but a leaner, really.  Also, will stall in irons under the main only.

Test sailed a Lagoon 39 catamaran on Lake Washington.  Impressions?  Too heavy, the boat speed was underwhelming.  Under the same conditions, the Beneteau was faster!  Nice on interior space, but the cabinetry was too bland, gave me the impression of particle board slapped together.  Lived up to Lagoon's charter barge reputation.

Took the previously test sailed Oceanis, now dubbed Freestyle by RT, out of Lake Union, through the Ship Canal and Ballard Locks and into the salt water of Puget Sound.  I'd never done that before!

Then the big event, taking Sarita west out the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and making the big left turn.

So, summer at home, enjoying the cycles of life with the changing seasons.