PHOTOGRAPHS & STORY BY MICHELLE OLSON
Note from Lorelie & Tim, Editors
Karl and Michelle invite you to join them on their journey before, during and after the WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL in Port Townsend. Months of planning and boat work were rewarded as they experienced Kingston Harbor, orcas surrounding Freyja, fog and other sights. The festival, of course, was the highlight with dock activities, making new boating friends, so many boats and telling Freyja’s story to interested visitors to the festival !!!
UNDERWAY TO THE FESTIVAL
The weekend before the festival we sailed to Kingston for an overnight. Here’s Karl at the tiller waving goodby to Everett. We left the “busyness” of the week behind us in the ripples of Freyja’s wake. We relaxed in the mostly calm winds with our trusty engine putting away.
Safe in harbor, we enjoyed an evening in “Old Kingston Town.”
Bottoms up!
The following morning, we set our course for Port Townsend. Once we were docked in the marina, Freyja would be left in temporary moorage until the festival.
After a relaxing passage to Kingston, we had a challenging experience motoring and sailing north in Puget Sound. Rip tides and a pod of orcas slowed us down!
After circling the orcas, we approached Port Townsend.
We were glad to arrive in harbor and safely dock. Even with active otters as neighbors!
DURING THE BOAT FESTIVAL
We joined over 300 boats and several thousand visitors in a unique festival setting. There were wooden boats of all sizes, ages and types. All “BRISTOL”!
Many visitors stopped by Freyja. They heard Karl’s tales of her history, browsed through Freyja’s scrapbook and admired the spacious deck and other features.
NEW BUDDIES TRADING STORIES
We had family visitors during the day too: my dad, Dave, Karl’s parents, Lorelie & Tim,and Karl’s cousin, Alan. Cold beverages and a fan helped cool down family guests in the focsle on a very hot day!
After sunset and all the visitors had left the docks, the festival belonged to the boat owners! Dock and boat lights added a festive flavor to the night. While many conversations continued on the boats, we were ready for sleep in our cozy focsle.
AFTER THE FESTIVAL
We watched many boats leaving the harbor on our final morning. Our dock neighbor Viking Mariner had her pennants waving in the breeze, and all the sail boats looked like they had white wings – an amazing sight!
SAILING HOME TO EVERETT
We left Port Townsend on a foggy morning for our journey back to Everett. Fortunately the fog lifted and we arrived safely home to Everett.
Thank you for joining us on our Freyja journey to the 2024 PORT TOWNSEND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL!
CREDITS:
Photographer: Michelle Olson
Writer: Michelle Olson
Graphic Designer Artist: Tim Olson
Photo editor: Lorelie Olson
Editors: Lorelie & Tim Olson
To view Michelle’s post about hers and Karl’s anniversary sail – click here
I’m very proud of you all, putting all the work and love into dear old Lady Freyja🤗! I very much look forward to getting reacquainted one of these days.
Sail on!! Virg