Waterlog Summer 2010

It is another warm summer morning in the heart of Seattle. Take a walk with me as we amble along Fairview Avenue East and hear the latest news from our houseboat neighbors.

Tui Tui

Janet Yoder reports that in late June, she & Robby Rudine visited the Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side. The falls are "like Niagara Falls times ten. Thunderous roar. Water pounding down from multiple directions. Water overlapping water and refracting back into the air in thick mist that makes its own clouds. This is a power place for sure. In addition, we have seen coatis (a bit like raccoons with long snouts), turtles, monkeys, colorful jays called Gralha-picaça, swallows, a toucan, and butterflies of all sorts. And I mean all sorts. The climax of the Argentine side is a hike out a metal walk to the Throat of the Devil, the most dramatic fall, where you feel like you are standing on the edge of the world breathing your last breath."

Mallard Cove

Seven houseboats reporting! Giff & Mary Jones, "We spent the month of August sailing in South Puget Sound with feline crewmembers Bella & Lacey. A fall vacation is planned in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, ME. Mary, one of three original Eastlake P-Patch Extension planners, is still trying to help finish the project. Volunteers are needed." (See story at seattlefloatinghomes.org/node/1192.) Bob Berman: "I have just completed converting a studio into a loft/one bedroom apartment above a barn in the foothills east of Cle Elum. I'm looking for a tenant who can care for the horses and property in return for reduced rent of $700/mo. There is room to board a horse if interested. It's amazingly beautiful. Must not be afraid of rugged beauty/snow conditions." Mallard Cove Dock and the FHA welcome new houseboat owners Chris Igielski & Jenette Ramos & 7-year-old daughter, Ariel to the floating homes community. Tim, Melissa & Greta Kate Ahlers say, "Not that much to report – just normal 5-month old baby stuff. She's laughing and smiling a lot. We'll start her on real food soon. She's already been on a number of power boats -- sailboats will have to wait till next year probably." Mike & Beata (Rycharski) Massa took their annual summer sailboat cruise. Peggy & Doug Hanel are content to report nothing new happening at their houseboat. Diann Barry & Mark Guy: "Our oldest son, Connor graduated from Whitman College in May with a degree in English. He is now working through Teach for America as a middle school teacher in Las Vegas. Teach for America is an organization that recruits new teachers, most just out of college, trains them and places them in high need, low income schools. Our 16-year son Andrew is spending a month at YMCA Camp Orkila on Orcas Island as Counselor In Training. A tough job but someone has to do it."

Wandesforde

Karen (Keasler) Caplan swept her parents, Caryl & Bill Keasler, into the 1940s vibe of the celebration of her marriage to Leigh Caplan on the ferry Skansonia in north Lake Union. Karen was a houseboat kid on the Wandesforde dock whose room was a glorified corner closet in the family floating home. Karen says, "It seemed fitting after growing up on a houseboat to get married on the water as well. The location, weather, company and everything else helped make the day absolutely perfect."

Flo Villa

Recently, Tricia Rendina of Flo Villa traveled to Cuba for three weeks. She and two friends rented a car to drive across the island – the largest in the Caribbean. "The people of Cuba are so gracious and welcoming to Americans. We stayed in private homes known as casas particulares, which is an ideal way to truly meet people." Tricia says she danced across Cuba. "Everything you've ever heard about the music of that country is true. Everywhere we went – city or village, park or café – there was a band playing and people dancing, whether it was 10 in the morning or 10 at night." Next time she visits Cuba though, Tricia says she will focus on Havana and stay out of the rental car. "I want to have more time to explore and dance, less time with deeply rutted roads and flat tires!"

Log Foundation

German TV comes to Seattle. Jann McFarland reports that, "In June Michael McGlinn contacted me from Hamburg about working on a TV episode for Mare TV, the German equivalent to our Discovery Channel. He and his crew of two, Thomas Mayr (sound), and Jörg Hammermeister (camera) were in Seattle a little over a week and spent most of their time with me learning about the houseboats and interviewing various people on the Lake. They spent the 4th of July with Sid & me and we went out for what ended up being a very wet electric boat ride (who left that canvas top back at the dock?), and they did some silly spontaneous camera shots of people throwing each other off of boats, getting in the middle of one of the mock battles between tall ships, gawking at the performing trapeze girls flying out over the water from a Fairview houseboat, as well as interviewing various folks getting ready to celebrate the 4th. After a picnic supper we trooped over to a couple of parties that we had arranged to crash and then back to visit new neighbors in the end houseboat on 2025, Rick Weller & Margaret Allen and to enjoy a dry viewing point of the fireworks. After the fireworks, we were all hosted by Debbie Woodbury & Ren Nanstaad for strawberry shortcake and a fancy 4th of July torte provided by the film crew. Among those interviewed were Jason Fitschen & Robin Clewley, Jamie Thurner & Mark Sanderson (who took the crew out on the lake in his runabout) from Log Foundation;

Tricia Rendina, Elliott Wolf & Ivana Durinovic-Bello, Amalia Walton & daughter, Lilian (who were putting up flags for the 4th) from Flo Villa; Bob West and friends from the Wandesforde Dock; and the partying crew from 2025 dock. They also later interviewed Dick Wagner at The Center for Wooden Boats. When the crew left Seattle, they were going to look for geoduck rustlers with some folks up north. It will be interesting to see the episode – we are promised a DVD when it is finished.

Sid & I were finally ready to get a new kitty and playmate for Sugar Bear and found this cute little guy out in Fall City – he was exactly 8 weeks old – he would run up our jeans to get held and it was pretty cute, till he ran up my bare legs and scratched the heck out of me earning him the name Bela for Bela Lugosi and his depiction of Count Dracula. Full name is Bela Blue. Big brother Sugar Bear still thinks of him as an appetizer.

The Center isn't usually on our tour, but let's stop here and check out the boats and displays.

Center for Wooden Boats

Long time Portage Bay houseboaters, Sheri & Steve Greaves, are often seen cruising their 1946 18' outboard cedar plank on oak frame Mukilteo Boat on Portage Bay and Lake Union. Steve recently completed a monograph for the Center for Wooden Boats on the history and building of the Mukilteo Boat. These boats were built for the recreational fishing trade by three generations of the Losvar family and rented out of the Mukilteo Boat House in Mukilteo, Washington, from 1905 to 1970. Most were burned when they got too old for rental service and today only a handful of the distinctive boats survive. At the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival in July, the monograph was officially dedicated to the Center for Wooden Boats and accepted by founder, and long time Westlake houseboater, Dick Wagner. On hand for the ceremony were many generations of the Losvar family and three restored Mukilteo Boats. Art Losvar, grandson of the original builder of the Mukilteo Boat, was present and signed copies of the monograph. Copies of the 24 page monograph are available for sale from the Center for Wooden Boats at South Lake Union.

What luck. We've run into Sheri and Steve, who suggest we ride with them, down the west side of Lake Union and into Portage Bay.

2420 Westlake

At our first stop, Ann Bassetti offers us an update on doings at 2420 Westlake. "There was a 'Chance' sighting when Mark Koenig & Erin Roche came through town. (That is the name of their inquisitive and wonderful 2-year-old.) All on the dock are disappointed they are extending their roots in Vermont, and now trying to sell their houseboat here. Might be a little small with a rambunctious kidlet, though. We were also sad when Kevin McCarthy & Madeline Binkley moved to land, as soon as 1-year-old Sophia started to walk. We certainly understand the fear, but that's also one of the gaps of houseboat life – not many kids!

Everyone is delighted, however, with their renter, Patricia Kelly. A newly graduated oral surgeon, she is joining Dr. Tom Hohl's practice. In the first few months, it's clear Patricia will be a lively addition to the houseboat social scene! We only briefly met another new renter – Mike Crystal. An environmental engineer, he had barely moved in when he had to leave for a few weeks in the Gulf of Mexico. You might be able to think of some environmental concerns down there right now. Even in his first couple weeks, Mike fit right in with the end-of-dock Duck Dodge watchers. Big congratulations are in order for Daniel Wigdor, newly appointed to the University of Toronto faculty. His specialty is in multi-touch computer interfaces (the iPhone has 2 touches); and gestures, as interpreted by computers. But, DARN! – that means he and Amy MacLearn will be moving. We are sorry to see that Kathleen Kelley & Chuck Arnold are leaving. Chuck got a job in England (he works for Oracle), which sounds like a fun way to end a long career. They will return to their house in Tacoma after their European adventure. Waaaah – We like them a lot and don't want them to leave. The 2420 Soup Kitchen will not be the same without them! As a result of all this turmoil, two houses are for rent , and one is for sale. Come join us; this is a very friendly dock."

2460 and 2466 Westlake

Dock reporter for 2466 and 2460 Westlake, Marty Greer, shares their summer news and shows off several photos. "Bill & Peggy Schickler (2466 WL) pulled off another perfect wedding this summer, this time for daughter Melissa who got married in June at Roche Harbor. As they did last year for sister Megan's wedding, the dock brought out the romance flags for the occasion to welcome out-of-town guests and friends. Marty Greer took a group of watercolor painters to Tuscany in June and the highlight of the trip was a visit with her next door neighbors from 2466 WL, Sheryl & Rob Turping, at their 'other' home outside Cortona. Rob has built a fabulous outdoor pizza oven and stoked it up to serve lunch to the whole group. We're hoping he'll figure out how to build one on the dock when they return to their floating home. If this is August, that determined swimmer in the canal must be Barrie Taraday (2466 WL), training for yet another Danskin triathlon - that makes 7! Whew, she's tough! Libby Kutcipal (2466 WL) finished her first half IRONMAN at Lake Chelan - that's a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run - all in 92 degree heat! Meanwhile, most houseboats on the two 2460 co-op docks have spent the summer spiffin' things up in anticipation of the houseboat tour -we have several new roofs and lots of fresh paint and varnish. Once again Christy Robinson (2466 WL) has managed to produce lots and lots of sweet tomatoes, which she starts from seed in her bay window. Unfortunately she is not the only one who finds them delicious. Voracious rats (we think) turned the crop into a health hazard and the crop - not the rats - has been eradicated. Solo Chappelle, the blond bomber of 2466 Westlake, has her own "floatie", which gets her one jump closer when the coveted yellow ball is thrown far into the lake. The floating home of this 'queen of retrievers' will be on the Floating Homes Tour this year."

Lees Moorings

Karen Eckhart sends "Greetings from Lee's Moorings in the heart of Fremont-by-the-Lake! The fun people on our dock range in age from 6 to 89! We recently welcomed a new family to our dock, Tom & Rose Hesselbrock and their daughter, Caleigh, who has just graduated from high school! The Hesselbrocks have jumped right into action and helped at our annual Garage Sweep, which included about 75 percent of the dock! Lots of fun, and we now have a clean garage! Unfortunately, we recently had a rash of bicycle thefts from our garage which was darned rude. Also, sad to report our beautiful Wood ducks have disappeared and we have only had a smattering of Mallards and ducklings this summer."

3146 Portage Bay Place

Pam Stevens and Ellyn Swanson of 3146 Portage Bay Place held their 10th Annual Greek Dinner on the evening of 31 July. The dinner coincided with a visit from Ellyn's daughter, Jenni Swanson Vorhees. Other guests included family and friends of Pam and Ellyn. The party was held in the beautiful shore side gardens of 3146.

3146 Portage Bay Place

Willow Cove Report on saying goodbye to Lucy by Joyce Black. "All of us at Willow Cove are grieving the loss of our wonderful dog resident, a Bull Mastiff, Lucy. She has been a friend to all of us, making us smile in sun or rain. Lucy was only seven years old and her parents Loren & Rob are heartbroken. They had a farewell party for Lucy on Sunday, July 18th so all of Lucy's friends could see her and bring her favorite doggie snacks and get that last Lucy full face kiss. Lucy had bone cancer and the alternative to a peaceful leaving with family was to take off her leg and other painful interventions. We will miss her so much. Willow Cove won't be the same."

Shelby Dock

Diana Forman says, "We've had our share of happy and sad news on the Shelby Dock recently." (Please see "Remembering Molly Bailey" elsewhere in this newsletter and in a photo essay on www.seattlefloatinghomes.com) "On the happy side we've celebrated two marriages in the last year. Rob Elleman & Carrie Lee, long-time housesitters, were married last fall in Carrie's home state of Maine. Rob alone, and then Rob and Carrie, have been welcome fixtures on Shelby Dock for several years and will continue to housesit for John Bailey for a time while working on their own newly purchased home in Ravenna. In July Mahlon Meyer & Page Perey were married in the garden of Temple de Hirsch Sinai, thoughtfully providing their guests with parasols. Mahlon and Page are both educators and will wait to take their honeymoon until school breaks coincide. They are currently living on the Eastside while their houseboat rebuild is underway. Sadly it will soon be time to say good-bye to Dorothy & Calvin Echodu, who have lived at #5 for the past three years with son Devin and baby daughter Ellie Rose. In October of 2008, Ellie was born at home in the family houseboat and has been the apple of everyone's eye ever since. The Echodu family will be moving to Shoreline not only to house their growing family but also to garage Devin's growing collection of road and dirt bikes. Neighbors will especially miss regular contact with our youngest dock resident, but everyone on the dock wishes the entire Echodu family well. Last January happy news came from Terry Bratvold & Karen Collier, who announced their engagement at the Shelby Dock Annual Meeting! Terry has provided a first-hand report of their romance, rekindled after a 47 year separation.

‘Sumner High School sweethearts Terry Bratvold and Karen Collier planned on marrying after high school in 1962. Unfortunately, meddling mothers caused their breakup. After no contact for 47 years, Facebook brought them together again in April of last year. After dozens of emails and many hours of phone calls, they knew they must get together in person. In June Terry flew to visit Karen at her beautiful home in Arizona. Their second "first kiss" brought back a flood of good memories. During two more trips here and there, love bloomed again.They are happy to report that Karen moved to the Shelby Dock in August, 2009, and retired from nursing; Terry is now working two days a week. Karen loves Seattle, floating home living and boating. Terry and Karen are wonderfully happy together. They became engaged December 24th and will be married soon.’

To receive a copy of their complete story with pictures Terry invites readers to email him at Tbrat8@comcast.net.’

It is on such a happy note we say farewell to Sheri & Steve, and end our Summer Waterlog tour of Lake Union and Portage Bay.

Thanks to all contributors for great stories and super photos.

Comments: email Marilyn at isobel.rob@gmail.com