At the Big Band Jazz and Auction in May of this year, Kim and I saw a very appealing auction item:  a boating adventure with Kim and Scott Yale complete with a delicious picnic lunch and beverages.  We’ve known Scott and Kim for several years through the high school jazz program, and so we knew we’d love to spend the day with them, and getting a grand tour on their new boat would make the day a highlight of the summer for us.

Kim, Bonnie, Sandy and I met the Yale’s at their dock on the north end of Lake Union in Seattle, stepped aboard shortly before noon, and headed out.  First, Scott took us around Lake Union, which boasts the largest houseboat population of any lake in America.  Most houseboats have a considerable amount of character, including one packed with metal sculptures, another with dozens of plants and trees growing from planters, and another which was Tom Hanks’ home for the filming of Sleepless in Seattle (shown below).

Next up:   Lake Washington.  We slowly motored through the Montlake Cut and under the drawbridge, turned right and passed I-520 freeway high rise, and then  Scott then hit the gas and we jetted down to Seward Park at 45+ miles per hour.  Whee!!  After testing the breeze around Seward Park, Scott brought us to the southern, leeward side of the park (almost an island) where we anchored and devoured the delicious picnic packed by Kim — chips, nuts,melon wedges, gourmet sandwiches, drinks, and cookies.

By this time, the cloud cover finally vanished for good, so Scott and Kim Yale and then Bonnie all jumped in to cool off — Bonnie in her shorts and T-shirt!  We watched the paddleboard class paddle to the right and then paddle back, observed a juvenile bald eagle take off and head south, and generally just lazed around for a while.

Finally, the afternoon drew to a close.  Scott pulled up the anchor and treated us to a rapid circumnavigation of Mercer Island, pointing out a few landmarks along the way such as the Gates’ mansion.  A great day was had by all!

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Sleepless in Seattle houseboat