The assorted ramblings of an owner of an old boat…
Friday, April 19
This weekend’s outing began, as many do, scanning everyone’s calendars a month or so out for any work/family/etc obligations. The ruling was, this weekend would work and fingers were crossed for decent weather.
Checking the forecast as the week progressed, things didn’t look all too great. Not terrible, just not the spring sunshine and blue skies that were hoped for. Continue reading “Weekend Cruise to Bellingham”
Over the past several years, I have aquired a considerable collection of what I have referred to as “boat porn”. It’s a bunch of old boating literature – some Tollycraft, some not, and some from obscure brands that I had never heard of. There’s some great old stuff that I enjoy collecting, much of it purchased on E-Bay for probably way too much… A bit of it came in lots with descriptions like, “Fifteen Pounds of Old Boating Literature”. Oh yeah.
As I get around to scanning it, I’ll post some here to share. Please feel free to download, save, print, whatever!
The first piece is from 1972, and is the “Tollycraft Magazine”. It is a great old promotional publication describing some of their new models, as well telling stories of how some owners are using older boats. Interestingly, there’s a story about a boat named the “White Eagle of Spirit Lake“, an open workboat Tolly built for the Boy Scout Camp on Spirit Lake, which was near Mount St Helens. Story has it, just prior to the mountain’s 1980 eruption, the boat was used to transport items off the lake, essentially as a basket attached to a helicopter. She ended up surviving the ordeal and a few owners before being acquired by my friend, Ray Robinson. He has extensively modified the boat over the years, and it is now named “Puget Sound Thunder”. The boat has quite a history, definitely worth writing about some day.
For now, check out the 1972 “Tollycraft Magazine”
Sampling and writing this one, is like the old proverbial “fish in a barrel”. I don’t need my boat to get there, as The Brown Lantern is in my home port of Anacortes, and I can get there afoot from home or boat.
An easy walk from the Port of Anacortes’ Cap Sante Boat Haven, “The Brown”, as you might hear it referred to in the local tongue, is located on downtown’s main drag Commercial Avenue. Being a bar, it’s 21 and up, but they will gladly prepare takeout orders.
In the afternoon and early evening, The Brown is a popular lunch and dinner spot that is relaxed and casual. As evening rolls on, things get more lively and the place can fill up. The staff is always good about finding a table, even for a group. There’s something happening almost every night, from game nights to a Thursday open mic, and live entertainment on weekends. A schedule of events can be found on their website.
They make a great burger. I should know. I’ve had more than a few of them. Their menu offers several different burger selections and the option to substitute chicken breast or veggie burger. They even offer a lamb burger.
My burger of choice on my most recent visit was the tried and true bacon cheese burger. A 1/3 pound beef patty topped with cheddar and thick-cut bacon on a sesame seed accompanied by very fresh lettuce, tomato, and red onion and pickles served on the side, along with a heap of fries. This is an excellent burger, and one of my go-tos.
For the non-burger folks (I scoff), there is a wide variety in the menu, including some great soups, salads, sandwiches, and they always have a daily special. A full bar and several beers on tap will keep your thirst quenched and conversation lively.
Tuesday, April 2
After a weekend of beautiful spring weather, spent at work in it’s entirety, I scanned the forecast for the the next few days when I have my days off. Looks pretty good – I see the little cartoon sun and the cartoon cloud, but no cartoon rain. Marine forecast for the San Juans shows no real wind. Although I always have a long list of things I should be doing around the house, what’s the rush? The only one that I will really face punishment for its neglect is the lawn. It’s spring, and it’s growing like a weed, which coincidentally is what it is greatly comprised of. I powered through the lawn, threw some clothes in a bag, gathered some food from the fridge, and after a couple of quick stops in town, I was aboard and ready for an afternoon shove off.
Continue reading “Watmough Bay, Lopez Island”
I've decided to begin a new "feature" here that I'll call "Boatable Burgers". I like burgers, and if there was one food I'd choose to eat for the rest of my life, the hamburger would probably be it. However, if that were all I ate, I understand that time could be shortened significantly.
I get the idea from one of my boating friends who conducted a study of fish and chips he ate from the San Juans to the Broughtons a few summers ago. I'll concentrate on burgers from places that can be reached when boating, and share my tasting notes with you here.
Continue reading “Boatable Burgers – The Cask and Schooner, Friday Harbor”
