Categories
Uncategorized

Poulsbo Viking Fest

Tracked route from Shilsole to Poulsbo and back.

After some back and forth about the weather we decided to shove off and sail to Poulsbo for the Viking Fest.

Ballard does its own festival but we thought we’d up the ante by sailing from one Norwegian festival to another.

We left the dock just before noon and arrived in Poulsbo at 14:05.

To guarantee we’d arrive for the festivities we motored the whole way there. In the channels Nirvana goes just over 6 knots with the 9.9hp motor opened up. We had the current at our stern as we entered Agate Pass and reached 10.2 knots over ground.

We all watched the parade as it marched through the main street of Poulsbo. From what I can tell it’s a town proud if its Viking heritage, outdoors kids clubs, high school marching bands, and beauty pageant winners.

On the return trip I hoisted the sails at Point Bolin and got a couple tacks in before motoring back through Agate pass. We were leaving Madison Bay as the sun was setting so we dropped the sails and motored back to help keep the passengers from being out in too cold of an evening.

The winds really picked up as we crossed the Puget Sound and would have made for a fun crossing under sail.

Well over 4 hours on the water to log towards the captain’s license!

Categories
Uncategorized

Harmony Amphitheater

Harmony Amphitheater with Finn.

Categories
Uncategorized

Screen Time

I am living proof that a childhood filled with hours in front of a screen can still lead to being a successful adult.

The last doctor visit I went to with my then 4 year-old child one of the important medical advices she bestowed to me was to limit screen time. Ideally to zero.

I bet she could feel the shockwaves of my imaginary eye-roll.

I think my only concern is that if my kid is in front of a screen I’d rather they were playing a video game and not watching a TV show.

The only thing better than letting your kid play video games is to play video games with them.

Categories
Uncategorized

At the Kid’s Junior High School

Oh you sweet summer child.

Categories
Uncategorized

This image gave me pause. So simple and ties together this moment in history so well.

Props to u/Awesome_as_FAIZ on Reddit.

Categories
Uncategorized

Scoping out overnight destinations for the boat.

Categories
Uncategorized

Worn

This cam cleat has given up holding the main sheet.

Categories
Uncategorized

Ebay is still useful.

I have a hand-me-down Sony Alpha that has a busted battery door. It finally stopped holding the battery in all together.

I was able to find a replacement part for $39. Installed and as good as new.

Categories
Uncategorized

Brothers, a Tale of Two Sons

We played Brothers as a family over the past few evenings. I don’t think I’ve ever been moved by a video game like this.

It’s quite brilliant. You play two characters simultaneously during the game. Two brothers on a journey to find a way to heal their sick father.

The controls take a little getting used to. The left stick and shoulder button control the older brother and the right stick and button control the younger. You have to control both brothers at the same time to navigate puzzles.

The older brother can use his strength and height to perform tasks the younger cannot. The younger brother cannot swim and you have to hold on to the older with the right button as you swim with the left stick.

There’s a tragic point in the game where everything changes.

My muscle memory with the controls took over and the result was nothing short of heartbreaking.

Hours later and I can’t stop thinking about how the game designers were nothing short of brilliant.

I spent the night talking to my young boys about how the game made them feel.

There were tears.

But more importantly, I know they have a deeper appreciation for how much I love them and how much they can love each other.

Video games, man.

Categories
Uncategorized

Salamander Hunter