Point Defiance to Des Moines

We trailored Whisper from Shelton to Point Defiance on June 24, 2005 and spent the afternoon wandering the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma. The Taste of Tacoma was underway, so after cruising the animal exhibits, we found some snacks to gnosh. Later, we went to dinner at Anthony’s where my daughters thought a few of the waiters were rather good looking.

Friday, June 24

I made a solo run to Quartermaster Harbor to get a look at the entrance, but didn’t go into the harbor. We spent a somewhat bouncy night moored next to the Point Defiance boat launch.

Saturday, June 25

We had no wind on Saturday, so Jan and I motored on glassy seas to Des Moines under an unrelenting sun, about a four-hour cruise at less than half throttle (still breaking in the motor).

Moorage at Des Moines Marina was very easy to find and well sheltered behind the rock breakwater. With the one-hour run to Quartermaster Harbor and back, plus today’s run to Des Moines, we used a total of 0.84 gallons of gas. While I was filling our tank, the attendant told me the big motor yacht next to us at the gas float was at 100 gallons and still pumping. We felt a little silly purchasing such a small amount of gas, but used the perceived cost savings to go to Anthony’s Home Port for a very nice dinner overlooking the marina.

Sunday, June 26

Today we went a little faster. Leaving Des Moines Marina, we crossed East Passage to Point Robinson, then followed the east side of Maury Island to Piner Point and Quartermaster Harbor, stopping at Dockton County Park for lunch. That was a three-hour cruise. We had 10 to 15 knots of wind, but it was directly on the nose, so we motored.

We found Dockton to be quaint and quiet. Several fishing boats were moored in the bay near the park.

The Point Defiance boat launch was cramped for rigging but the two-lane launch was fine, with a nice finger pier for staging.