Warning! This blog entry is long with lots of photos! Tacoma offered us so much that we wanted to include here..... sorry!
We spent another enjoyable week cruising with Gwen & Richard (MV Northstar W40); this next leg took us to the City of Tacoma. As relatively novice boaters, having only owned Kozad for four seasons, this was our first time boating into a big city!
We departed Poulbso at 0815 on Monday the 14th September; working our way 33 miles south to Tacoma! Our day started cool, overcast and dull and changed in the early afternoon providing us with clear skies and a lot of sunshine
We came across a Washington State Ferry escorted by two USCG Enforcement RIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats). The ferry from Dolphin Point on Vashon Island, was headed to Southworth just south of Blake Island and appeared to be empty except for a White Van and a couple of SUVs! Was this a high risk prisoner transport or an exercise? We were told that there is a jail/penitentiary at McNeil Island.
Washington State Ferry with two USCG RIBs
Machine Gun at the ready?We rounded the south end of Vashon Island, passing Quartermaster Harbour and had our first sight of Tacoma.
The entrance to Tacoma is very industrial in appearance; we passed two interesting freighter style boats which looked like US Military. The interesting thing was the evacuation systems they had on the stern of the ships.
The red boats on the stern are for crew escape in case of emergency!
Tacoma has but an abundance of marinas which await you along the Thea Foss Waterway. This “inlet” lead us under the 11th street bridge and takes you into old downtown, revealing the flavors offered by this city!
Victorian Buildings abound in Tacoma
We arrived at the Dock Street Marina (voted 2009 Best Marina) which is situated in a great location; the only negative we experienced was the loud whistles from passing trains; ambiance! The marina has new docks, free showers and easy access to explore Tacoma’s unique downtown core.
Dock Street Marina
Kozad at Tacoma
We had just tied up when a Tacoma Fire Boat/Barge went passed us; not doubt those firemen were just wanting to check out the sights! Jan was wondering which one of them was Firefighter September on the Tacoma FD Calender!
Tacoma Fire Department: Fire Boat Commencement
MV Northstar passing the 11th Street Bridge
Kozad and Northstar at Dock Street Marina
The City of Tacoma dates back to the last half of the 1800’s; and is an interesting collection of Victorian buildings intertwined with structures of modern architectural design.
Flatiron Victorian
Free Trolley Service in the Downtown Area
There is a new Federal Court House within the rebuilt Union Railway Terminal, the Museum of Glass is located above the marina; restored Victorian buildings are seen while walking along the local streets, including a unique Flatiron building on a narrow wedge of property! The amazing Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a free trolley service and the Washington State History Museum are just a few more attractions this city of two hundred thousand offered us!
Funnel at the Museum of Glass
Union Station now the Federal Court House
Front of the Court House
Notice the glass sculptures hanging from the cieling
Glass Bridge from Museum of Glass to Downtown Tacoma
Notice the left side of the bridge, this wall houses Glass Art Work!
These are some of the pieces in that wall!
Heading to the glass bridge area with a covered ceiling of glass sculptures.
This is the ceiling along this bridge!
Photo from Chihuly Bridge of Glass site
Glass sculptures abound!
Tacoma is also the home of Almond Roca Candy which was started in 1923!
During our 2010 spring cruise at Princess Louisa Inlet, we were told of a local Washington State beer called Mac & Jack’s African Amber! Craig finally had the opportunity to taste this brew while in Tacoma!
Craig with his Mac & Jack's African Amber Ale
As always, we walk the docks wherever we are! Craig, as usual, found another boat he would like to have; only problem is it costs more than our Coldstream town home and Kozad both put together!
MV Burnaby; a beautiful 52' Sunfjord Trawler only $619K
MV Night Watch, a Willard 36 which has solid side walls enclosing part of the cockpit!
MV Double Trouble, reported to one of the last Willard 30 PH built!
MV Kozad and big brother MV Northstar
Our friends Warren and Darlene from Red Deer, Alberta were in Seattle visiting their daughter and her family. They dropped down for a visit, lunch and a tour of the Museum of Glass.
Warren & Darlene. Warren was the Best Man at our Wedding!
Craig & Warren were best friends growing up
They have a 42' sailboat, SV Mahi Mahi in Trinidad
Hot Shots demonstration at the Museum of Glass; they are making a large vase!
The inside of the funnel, where all the fumes & furnace gases escape!
Night shot of the funnel.
We had a great view from our boat; especially at night when the bridge was lighted!
Tacoma is a great city to visit by boat! We thoroughly enjoyed being docked in an urban environment; lots to do and see and this is definitely a place we will visit again on Kozad.
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