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1. JoB
   Member Profile

   We just got back from Captain Dave's Duwamish river tour and we had a GREAT time..

   the boat is a small open beamed open cabin with benches, a table, a wood stove, a head under the wheelhouse for life's emergencies and a covered deck with benches at the back...

   there is plenty of room for 6 people.. and a sizable picnic lunch... and adequate headroom for a 6'4" man.. Dave himself is a tall lanky fellow.

   It was pretty cool this morning but Dave kept it toasty with the wood stove... and was a treasure trove of information about the river and the different industries that line it. He knows a surprising amount about the history of both the river and the industry that has made it viable.

   He told us that the original river wound back and forth and connected to Lake Washington where a whaling fleet moored at the turn of the last century... His eyes sparkled as he told us of his grandfather's Seattle development maps from 1911.. he says the river was straight by then...

   We saw arctic birds overwintering and harbor seals in addition to a fair amount of boat traffic.. both commercial and pleasure... and got a better idea how West Seattle connects to downtown via the industrial district.

   We bought some extra time and were able to go out into Elliot Bay and around the point... but i have to say the best part of the tour was the river.

   This was a celebration for us... at an age when most people give up and start looking for exit signs... we were celebrating careers taking unexpected turns towards exciting horizons...

   thank you Dave for making it an incredible afternoon... one of life's highlights.

   For those who might be interested.. dave is offering a tour of the Duwamish for 6 people for $100 maybe through the end of the month...

   It was worth every penny and then some.

   http://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/romantic-duamish-river-cruise-private-tour-100

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. JoB
   Member Profile

   I don't know how well this will work but hubby took some pics and put together a slide show at Picassa...

   for those who have been dieing to know.. yes that woman is me:)

   http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.brayden/DuwamishBoatTrip?feat=email#

   It should go without saying.. but these pictures are the private property of Dale Brayden and protected under copyright law.

   if you want to use one.. ask him nicely. he might even be flattered.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. SarahScoot
   Member Profile

   

   Ok, everyone, I know it's tricky, but the word "Duwamish" has both a "U" and a "W." Yes, really! The letters *can* coexist.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. JoB
   Member Profile

   sorry sarah...
   i am not puget sound spelling adjusted yet:(

   i apologize profoundly

   do i get points for fixing it?
   i remembered there was a w ... sigh....

   great day anyway

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   a big warm hug and thank you to hubby for sharing. Seeing the ships, the bridges, etc., from the water is such a different perspective. And it shows how thriving it is despite downturns in the economy. We are lucky indeed to have such a wonderful river and waterfront.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. JoB
   Member Profile

   JanS..
   go back.. he added to them.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. Erik
   Member Profile

   

   Joanne - were you guys coming up to the South Park Bridge in the 1:00ish hour? I was driving over the bridge around then and saw Cap. Dave's boat heading South toward it.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. westseattledood
   Member Profile

   

   sarahscoot -

   Is someone *paying* you to be such a pendantic pill about spelling and grammar? ;)

   If not, you are far too generous with your skills. You might want to think about how to make a living off such an evil, er, I mean eagle eye.

   If you already do, then *this* is what you do for fun?

   ;) I am teasing you, dear.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. SarahScoot
   Member Profile

   

   WSD - no, actually, but I'd love to be paid handsomely to proofread documents all day. Yes, I'm a pedant. :-) Actually, though, my above comment was also tongue-in-cheek, because the original post by Dave (the boat captain) advertising his tours spelled the river as "Duamish" (no "W") twice, and then JoB's post originally spelled it as "Dwamish" (no "U") twice. I opportunistically picked on her, but I couldn't pass it up.
   Shame on me. ;-) Beautiful photos though, JoB! Especially love the stack of smashed cars.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. JoB
    Member Profile

    Eric.. Yes.. that was probably us...you should have waved:)

    sarah... good thing you caught me in time to fix it:))

    those car bodies as retaining walls for the mountains of ground metal were pretty cool. the river was full of images like that... hubby did a great job capturing the afternoon.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. charlabob
    Member Profile

    

    I love rivers and this was a perfect day. The view of the working river community from the water is amazing. (Perfect company and food and a great tour guide/captain.) Dale's picture capture the day -- if you look at them, you won't be able to resist booking a tour yourself. And this from a city girl who has, at bet, a love hate relationship with nature. :-)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. miws
    Member Profile

    

    Thanks for sharing the photos, JoB and Dale!

    Mike

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. WSB
    Member Profile

    

    JoB and Dale kindly have given us permission to use their fine pix - the South Park Bridge will come in handy and the grebes might be a "West Seattle weekend scene." But what I mostly wanted to say here is that I documented a recent Duwamish cruise in video, probably little-viewed as I wound up finally putting it up in the middle of the night, and that included the car-crushing/grabbing in action, if anyone is interested in another look at some of the sights (albeit in drearier weather) that Jo/Dale's photos document.
    http://westseattleblog.com/2010/02/video-touring-the-duwamish-river-yes-its-a-river

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. squareeyes
    Member Profile

    

    I love the last photo...I have very fond memories of my 6.5 years working at Tiphook (one of the containers). I know, not the point of the photos, but it was a very nice surprise.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. JoB
    Member Profile

    squareeyes...

    i think that is the point of the photos.

    a friend told us he started his engineering career in the boeing building on the duwamish... he said it was as derelict on the inside then as it is on the outside now..

    While we were on the river.. Bob told us about a factory at boeing completely covered by a park... that must have been something!

    CaptnDave told us about his grandpa's maps and Seattle's grand visions for a paris on the sound...

    the past and present fuse on that river...

    speaking of the Southpark bridge..
    CapnDave told us that the problem is that the bridge has settled unevenly and wonders why that can't be fixed... "has no-one heard of hydraulics?"

    it was an amazing day and i now have a new list of nooks and crannies to explore.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. JoB
    Member Profile

    WSB..

    what a great addition to the day! great videos...

    i remembered that tour while i was on the river yesterday... i had wanted to go.. and i had to check... but yes.. the tour boat on the river yesterday was the same one you toured on:)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

17. JoB
    Member Profile

    still smiling:)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

18. captainDave
    Member Profile

    JoB,

    It was great to finally meet you! Sorry for the delayed response. I've been busy out running tours on the Duwamish! I have had several different groups of photographers schedule trips the last several days.

    I guess it's not a surprise that a lot of people want to see the Duwamish River. It's what physically separates West Seattle from the rest of the city- Kinda like our own mediaeval mote.

    It is amazing how much wild life there is among all the industry. Just saw a river otter yesterday by the South Park bridge.

    Great shots by the way! And thanks for your generosity, it was a great picnic too!

    -- Capt. Dave

    Posted 1 year ago #         

19. JoB
    Member Profile

    Dave...

    i spent so much time enjoying that i didn't take any pics myself:(
    after Dale's results, i am tempted to book again just so i can use my camera :)

    that would be my excuse:)

    glad you are busy.
    and glad you enjoyed our picnic...

    Posted 1 year ago #         

20. Kevin
    Member Profile

    JoB,
    .
    Put your money where your mouth is :) and lets see if we can book a trip this weekend! The forecast is for low 60s for Saturday (3/20) My wife and I would like to go, so if you decided to come, we would only need ONE more to make it a four way split at $25 per head. Now if we were able to find just TWO more folks then everyone's cost drops to less than $17 each. So, are you up for another trip?
    .
    How about some of you other readers out there? Sarah (scoot) Speller? Charlotte?

    Posted 1 year ago #         

21. JoB
    Member Profile

    kevin..

    if you can book it.. i will pay for a quarter share...

    Posted 1 year ago #         

22. celeste17
    Member Profile

    

    If you book it and you have room for one I would love to go.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

23. Kevin
    Member Profile

    I currently have a call into Capt Dave to book a spot for this Saturday. Still waiting for his return call.
    .

    Posted 1 year ago #         

24. Kevin
    Member Profile

    Good News!!
    .
    We HAVE a confirmed booking with Capt. Dave and his boat on Saturday March 20th, at 4 PM.
    .
    Morning and early afternoon slots were already taken. We also have the option of extending our cruise by a half hour or so if we decide to at the time.
    .
    JoB and Celeste, please send me your contact info to kevinmcc A T comcast PERIOD net so we can all be on the same page as to details.
    .
    We have TWO seats left - first come first serve. Approx $20 per person including tip for captain if we have six folks.
    .

    Posted 1 year ago #         

25. JoB
    Member Profile

    done..

    Posted 1 year ago #         

26. spana
    Member Profile

    This is fantastic! JoB, how long was the trip?

    Posted 1 year ago #         

27. JoB
    Member Profile

    the trip he advertised for $100 is 1 hour... and plenty of time to see the river from beginning to end..

    we added a second hour to enable us to go out into the bay... which is how we got those bay pics... but i did that before he was booked pretty solidly.. so i don't know if that is still an option.

    there were still a couple of seats (maybe 3) open last time i talked with Kevin for the trip he booked this saturday at 4PM if you are interested...

    it is supposed to be a really nice day.. but even if it isn't.. it really is toasty inside the cabin

    Kevin booked this one and is looking for more particpants to bring the cost down... and to meet other forum members. we turn out to be a pretty interesting group:)

    i am gong again.. hubby isn't.

    you can contact kevin at
    kevinmcc AT comcast PERIOD net

    For those who want to know...

    Accessibility was great for those of us with limited mobility.. except for a little difficulty getting out of the boat if you have trouble lifting your leg up... and that was easily and quickly sorted. There is no problem getting in..

    I didn't ask how he handles wheelchair bound clients.. i would think it might be difficult for someone who had to remain in their chair simply because of the space limitations... but he may be a far more resourceful guy than i know.

    You can bring any food/drink you want. Space for stuff is a little limited.. think a bistro size table... and plates on your laps or finger food... i recommend finger food though we managed plates just fine...

    the head is under the wheel... and when we went... took a bucket of water to flush.. it may be fixed by now.... so for me this was an emergency only facility for all but the most intrepid... but it is there if you need it...

    i can't think of anything else you might want to know.. but if you do.. ask:)))

    Posted 1 year ago #         

28. JoB
    Member Profile

    the tour with kevin is now full...

    but i bet there is still time to book your own for another day..

    Posted 1 year ago #         

29. charlabob
    Member Profile

    

    One more small :-) thing -- if you're a person of size, you'll be perfectly comfortable -- sitting and moving around.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

30. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    it's a wonderful trip...adding my rave here...just do it :)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

31. JoB
    Member Profile

    second time was every bit as wonderful as the first... and this time is was low tide so we got to see more.. including sea lions hanging out...

    very good day

    Posted 1 year ago #         

32. JoB
    Member Profile

    yesterday as we were leaving the boat.. Captain Dave mentioned that they also do charters... including longer trips out to Blake Island and beyond ...

    now if i had only seized the moment when the orcas were passing by ....

    the boat can only carry 6 passengers.. it's a coast guard regulation ... but it holds them very comfortably...

    anyone interested in a longer tour ?

    :)))

    Posted 1 year ago #         

33. miws
    Member Profile

    

    A three hour tour? ;-)

    (Although Blake wouldn't be a bad Island to be stranded upon!)

    Mike

    Posted 1 year ago #         

34. JoB
    Member Profile

    miws..

    a three hour tour wouldn't be enough for Blake island:(

    my afternoon on the water in pics selected by hubby... you can tell that for me it really is all about the water...

    http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.brayden/JoanneDuwamish#

    i hope ken adds some of his. i am sure he got much better shots than i.. i can't tell you how many times my hands twitched and i ended up with pics of someone's jeans or shoes :(

    Posted 1 year ago #         

35. JoB
    Member Profile

    the shot of the piling on the South Park Bridge is what is causing the major problem... it is literally crumbling and the bridge is sinking on that side...

    armchair engineers think you should be able to put a sleeve on that to slow down the process and extend a few years... ????

    Posted 1 year ago #         

36. Gina
    Member Profile

    

    Is that boat the Admiral Pete? Water taxi number one?

    Posted 1 year ago #         

37. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    more of the same, basically, of a beautiful day. My pics are unedited, and there is one of the kitteh snoozing :)

    http://picasaweb.google.com/mmfeelgood/DuwamishRiverTour3202010#

    Posted 1 year ago #         

38. JoB
    Member Profile

    same day .. same trip.. yet we saw things differently:)

    gina..
    I know we weren't on the Admiral Pete... but i may have taken a picture of it without knowing.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

39. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    our little boat was the M/V Allure. The Admiral Pete, although small, holds more than 6 people :)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

40. pigeonmom
    Member Profile

    

    Great pictures, JoB.

    And that WAS you at Zippy's the other day.
    I thought you looked familiar.
    I was waiting for a to go order with
    the handsome Mr. Matthew Darling.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

41. Gina
    Member Profile

    

    Photo 3 of the Dale photos, not the Jan photos, Kitsap Tours boat--looks like Admiral Pete, but I can't quite make out the name on boat.

    The capacity was around 27 people--Elliott Bay Water Taxi started out quite small. And Admiral Pete took quite a while getting across. Sometimes it would break down, and Argosy would send The Beaver to pick up people. Their snag boat, not Jerry Mathers.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

42. JoB
    Member Profile

    Gina.. yes.. that boat was the Admiral Pete.. the same boat the friends of the Duwamish used last year for their tour...

    pigeonmom...

    i must have been in a funk or i would have said hi...
    At least you would think i wouldn't have missed Mr Matthew Darling:)

    next time you think it is me.. clunk me on the head and say hi... you'll either get a smile or some other lady is going to be really irritated with you ;->

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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