dock street tacoma
Date: February 11, 2022
Time Start: 12:25 p.m.
Time Finish: 1:55 p.m.
Cruise From: Gig Harbor
Cruise To: Dock Street Marina, Tacoma
Engine Hours Start: 1358
Engine Hours Finish: 1359
Weather/sea conditions: Cloudy with blue patches, north wind, chop on water, 50 degrees
We have had a breezy morning in Gig Harbor, and as we leave the harbor to cross to Tacoma and the Foss Waterway, winds of up to 15 knots have created waves that have us rocking and rolling in NORTH STAR. The captain applied RainX to the windows before leaving Gig Harbor, and they are immediately drenched with salt water. Waters grow calmer once we near the entrance to the waterway,
Time Start: 12:25 p.m.
Time Finish: 1:55 p.m.
Cruise From: Gig Harbor
Cruise To: Dock Street Marina, Tacoma
Engine Hours Start: 1358
Engine Hours Finish: 1359
Weather/sea conditions: Cloudy with blue patches, north wind, chop on water, 50 degrees
We have had a breezy morning in Gig Harbor, and as we leave the harbor to cross to Tacoma and the Foss Waterway, winds of up to 15 knots have created waves that have us rocking and rolling in NORTH STAR. The captain applied RainX to the windows before leaving Gig Harbor, and they are immediately drenched with salt water. Waters grow calmer once we near the entrance to the waterway,
We transition from the quieter small harbor town of Gig Harbor where the shores are filled with homes and marinas to the busier urban environment of Tacoma. Bridges span the Foss Waterway. The business and living portions of the city fill one side of the waterway, while industry and shipping activities occupy the opposite shore. Marinas and boat yards and restaurants and museums and so much more make this a vibrant place to visit. We are looking forward to our time here, two nights at Dock Street Marina, where we have views from NORTH STAR of the Museum of Glass, marinas filled with pleasure boats, and the suspension bridge. We have been placed on H dock, where a beautiful 120 foot Nordland dwarfs us in size! Due to the pandemic, there is currently no staff at the marina, but we do have access to the showers, restrooms and laundry.
A walk is on our agenda. We head up the staircase alongside the Museum of Glass, cross the Bridge of Glass where colorful Chihully glass is displayed, stroll through the U.W. Tacoma campus, loop through part of downtown Tacoma, and make our way back to the waterfront, completely enjoying the sights and sounds of a city.
The sun is out, but the north wind still chills us as we make our way back to the marina. The snowy cone of Mt. Rainier is a beacon in the late afternoon sunlight.
The "Fluent Steps" fountain in front of the Museum of Glass is the final stop before we head down the ramp to NORTH STAR.
The captain can't resist a close look at a sailboat for sale on our docks. It is a beauty! But no sale here.
Sunset on the Foss Waterway!
And then the lights of the night! It is a magical time to visit the "Fluent Steps" glass fountain!
Date: February 12, 2022
Dock Street Tacoma layover day
Weather: Sunny! A gorgeous day, warming to mid 50's
It is 30 degrees with frost on the dock as we start our day, and so beautiful with sunshine and clear blue skies. This is just the kind of day we have been longing for, a day to be outdoors and explore and enjoy our surroundings!
Dock Street Tacoma layover day
Weather: Sunny! A gorgeous day, warming to mid 50's
It is 30 degrees with frost on the dock as we start our day, and so beautiful with sunshine and clear blue skies. This is just the kind of day we have been longing for, a day to be outdoors and explore and enjoy our surroundings!
Crowds? Non existent here on this Saturday morning. This seems to be our space for now! Just imagine waking up to this next to your boat!
We walk along the Foss Waterway, wanting to go to the top of the Murray Morgan lift bridge. It is an amazing structure, built in the early 1900's and just recently repaired and restored. There is an elevator to take us from water level to traffic level, and from the bridge we get great views on this clear day.
From the bridge it is an easy stroll into Tacoma's downtown. The streets are pedestrian friendly, with planter boxes, street trees, banners, benches, and artwork. There are welcoming open spaces amid the buildings, and a good transit system for those who need a lift. We enjoy our stroll. It is Saturday (and we are still in pandemic times with people distancing), so there are no office workers, and no crowds either.
We give five stars for this gorgeous day in February, and five stars for Dock Street Tacoma as a perfect cruise destination! We are saving visiting museums and restaurants here for another visit.
Date: February 13, 2022
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 4 p.m.
Cruise From: Dock Street Marina, Foss Waterway, Tacoma
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1359
Engine Hours Finish: 1364
Weather/sea conditions: 28 degrees in early a.m., warming to 50's, clear skies in a.m., clouds forming in p.m., fog in the Narrows, calm
The 28 degree morning soon warms into a stunning winter day. The captain fills us with blueberry pancakes and ham. We get a short walk along the waterway, and then it is time to cruise south to our home port of Olympia.
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 4 p.m.
Cruise From: Dock Street Marina, Foss Waterway, Tacoma
Cruise To: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Engine Hours Start: 1359
Engine Hours Finish: 1364
Weather/sea conditions: 28 degrees in early a.m., warming to 50's, clear skies in a.m., clouds forming in p.m., fog in the Narrows, calm
The 28 degree morning soon warms into a stunning winter day. The captain fills us with blueberry pancakes and ham. We get a short walk along the waterway, and then it is time to cruise south to our home port of Olympia.
It's time to say goodbye to the scenes along the Foss Waterway as we head into Commencement Bay. It has been a treat to be here. We love this part of Tacoma with its big city feel and so much of interest. We didn't meet anyone off of the 120 foot Nordlund docked beside us, but it looks enormous as we pass by the bow. How many NORTH STAR's could we fit in this yacht???
We see distant fog in Commencement Bay that grows more dense as we approach Point Defiance and the Narrows. Radar comes in handy in the Narrows, and then the fog thins out as we approach the bridges. We have the current in our favor today and pick up a few extra knots to carry us along.
Once again Mt. Rainier shines as a beacon as we enjoy the final part of the cruise, even getting glimpses of the Olympics. Clouds are starting to build, and rain is predicted for tomorrow. We timed these four days just right!