Dogs | Water Dog Site

Sequim Bay (John Wayne Marina) To Port Townsend

Sunday June 3 to 5th

Trip Distance 15 nm

Port Townsend is a very nice town to visit with nice walks down the beach to the park on the north side, nice shopping in town and the start of the Olympic Discovery Trail along the bay south of town for bike rides. Beach walk is MUCH longer at LOW tide and it was not too muddy. Nice.

Got out of John Wayne Marina a little late at 1100 to catch the incoming tide and save some fuel. Ran at a little under 1600 RPM and 5 GPH at 9-10 knots so had a quick fuel efficient trip.

Day was over cast as you can see from looking in too Discovery Bay as we passed by it on our starboard side pilot house door.

We soon rounded the Point Wilson Light House and arrived at the narrow entrance to the Port Hudson Marina. The entrance makes a short dog leg to the right so a good long toot on the horn to warn some one coming the other way.

The marina is directly to the North of the water front down town section with many nice shops and places to eat. Our slip was on the far side across from town next to the Port Hudson RV park. The RV park had some nice spaces along the water but are pretty packed in due to the small space.

Later in the day we walked up the dock and across the RV park and took a left at the water for a walk to Fort Worden State Park along the edge of the beach at low tide. Dogs got a swim in along the way.

Fort Worden Park Walk

Port Townsend Beach Walk, low tide…at high no beach just cliff

Just a quarter mile down the beach we ran in a set of stairs up the bluff to a very nice Chetzemoka Park. The park is very nicely done with views of the water and lush greenery and grass.

On the way back we stopped at Doc’s directly behind the boat where I had the Mussel’s in Curry Sauce appetizer and Patty had clam chowder. The mussels are highly recommended.

On Monday we walked south along the road above the waterfront to Up Town and viewed many old Victorian houses on our way to the court house to check on details on boat rules in Washington State for taxes.

Port Townsend Houses, a few like this one are B and Bs

Port Townsend Houses, many nice yards and spring!

We then got some sandwiches from Aldrichs Market in Up Town to eat at the park across the street.

After looking for at least 10 years Patty found the right table at the right price for our foyer.

San Francisco Pre-Trip Shakedown Cruise

Tuesday May 8 to Friday May 10

Tuesday May 8

While waiting for our weather window on Saturday we decided to head over to Ballena Bay Marina on Alameda Island for an overnight stay on Tuesday. The marina has been sold by Almar to a new owner which is replacing some the old decrepit docks with nice new ones.

Water Dog At Ballena Bay, Krogen Whale Back in Back Ground

We pulled in too the guest dock to the West of the fuel dock and where surprised to see a Krogen Whale Back docked at the guest docks also.

We took a hike out of the marina and then keeping along the Bay south of the marina to the Alameda Park along the bay. Nice hike to end of park

Alameda Walk Looking Back At Houses On Bay

On way back went out to small point to see entrance the Ballena Bay looking out to bay to the east.

Wed-Friday May 9-10

Cruised over to San Francisco Small Boat Harbor Marina just inside the Golden Gate Bridge to spend Wed and Friday.

Water Dog At SF Marina Golden Gate Bridge In Background

On Thursday we walked through the Marina Green East of the marina past Fort Mason and then around to the Safeway grocery before heading back to boat.

Friday morning we took Lyft ride from marina to Lands End near the Sutro Baths with the dogs and walked back along shore line to the Golden Gate Bridge back to the marina. This is one of our favorite hikes and is very beautiful.

Dog’s got to swim at Bakers Beach then again nearer the marina at Crissy Field Beach.

View Of Bridge Once Past It On Hike From East Side

Saturday morning we got out at 7:00am bound for Bodega Bay for the first leg of trip up coast.

Seminole Canyon State park

Tuesday February 13^th

Headed south towards Big Bend with plans to stay at Seminole Canyon State park for two nights. Arrived around 2-3 pm. Opted for electric site with pretty good cell service at the sites at the end of camp ground past first set of sites.

Some neighbors in Cougar 5^th wheel from Netherlands and Canada. They spend six months traveling and six months in Netherlands.

We chilled that afternoon and planned (and did) stay two nights.

Wednesday February 14^th we took nice rim hike (about 7.5 miles) with dogs. It went to rim and overlook on Pecos river canyon joining Seminole Canyon then out to border/ Rio Grande where the Pecos river dumps into the Rio Grande.

The trail starts at the lower camp ground at point A on map on the Rio Grande Trail, click on map below to enlarge. We then took a left at point C on Canyon Rim Trail. Keeping left at point B takes you to the Panther Cave Overlook where you can see the Glyph’s across the river if you have binoc’s or a zoom. We then completed the loop around the bend on the Mexico border back to point D on the Rio Grande Trail.

Canyons are deep with steep walls. Not a border crossing area hear. At end of trail there are petroglyphs across the way, only can get there by boat but we could just see large panther tail. The Glyphs are across the river and using the camera zoom was able to get a decent idea what they look like.

Petroglyphs Over Look Sign, Glyphs Across Canyon

Petroglyphs Over Look Glyphs Across River

Picture of left side of Glyphs, if you click on picture and zoom in you can see fan shapes on bottom of 4th and 5th figures to the left of panther on over look sign.

Got back and chilled then cooked dinner and left next day. Rio grand slow here as down stream is large Amistad national reservoir.

Casey Key Nokomis

Jan 10-12 th

After Fort Desoto Park we carried on to a rental we got on VRBO for three nights at the southern end of Casey Key in Nokomis. We had the top floor at the back. Jerry a long time friend from college lives near by. The rental is across the road from the beach that goes up/down the key and backed up to a small canal adjacent to the intracoastal with small boat dock. Great location if you have a small boat or kayaks.

Rental Second Floor (Red Towel On Railing)

Officially no dog’s are allowed on the beach but if you are past the public beach where the rentals and private houses start dog’s you should have no problems. Beach access was between the rentals across from us so no problem.

We took dog’s for quick swim in intracoastal at the park to the south of us before going over to the beach for a walk. The water here in the intracoastal and canals is very clear since close to Venice Inlet.

Wed nights they have the drum circle at Nokomis Beach and we walked over from rental house to take a look before sunset. All the hippy type folks bring their drums and some how coordinate the drumming. Very cool and had a good time watching the dancing as the sun set.

After sunset we all walked over to Pop’s Sunset Grill for dinner. Twas nice. I have never seen a heron beg but there was a Louisiana Night Heron that was absolutely begging. I am not one to feed birds but was intrigued. He took Mahi right out of hand! Owners were feeding french fries, he declined dropped sweet potato fry. Funny.

On Thursday we rented a boat and cruised up to the North end of Casey Key and let the dog’s swim at Blackburn Park. We then picked up Jerry and Malena at the rental dock on our way back south and went down to Stump pass where we beached the boat and swam the boats.

Patty, Jerry and Malena On Boat to Stump Pass

We then stopped at Stump Pass Marina for lunch at the Lighthouse Grill before heading back to rental.

Dec 12-15th

On Friday we stopped by Jerry’s house as we had not been to the new house. He is renovating the place himself! Lots of good work done and its starting to take shape. After this visit we stopped by Casey Key Fish House with Jerry for lunch on our way back to Largo. Jerry’s house is going to be real nice when done.

Alex developed a head cold. Marcia and Gary kindly invited back for a couple days with Alex in quarantine. We hung out, guys watched football, went to nearby nature park, another beach walk and some libations over puzzle assembling. Fun times with good friends is the best!

Sampling Siesta Key Rum, a gift from Jerry. Twas good!

Largo To Nokomis Stop At Fort Desoto

January 9 th

Got out of Gary and Marsha’s at around 10 am and started drive down the barrier island route. Went through Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Beach, Treasure Island, Madiera Beach, St Pete Beach down to Fort Desoto County park. The park is well known for having a dog park where you can take dog’s on beach.

When we went in we saw signs for Fort so stopped for quick look at the fort.

After a short stroll through fort went to the dog park.

Start of dog park are the dog park enclosures which you can go in gate at front and then exit over near beach if you want to run the dog’s a bit before going to the beach. The dog beach sign had ZERO No’s, i.e. zero no this/that etc, which is our highest rating. You can go through fenced in dog park front gate and exit at back gate at beach but we decided to come back from beach through fenced area to use the dog wash station to rinse dog’s off.

We walked past sign’s to beach and let the dog’s run. Nice dog beach but pretty short, only about 1/4 mile long. You have to wonder why so short when there are many miles in each direction with NO dog’s.

We then exited through the fenced in dog park and rinsed off the dog’s in the dog wash station located in the fenced in area and let the dog’s air dry a bit behind camper.

Fenced In Dog Area Fort De Soto Dog Park

Dog Wash Station Fenced In Dog Area Fort De Soto

Tampa and Largo/Indian Rocks

Friday December 29^th

Packing up and leaving the house at Stuart on our way to Tampa to visit Dan and Jenny for their New Years party which also happens to be their Wedding anniversary also. Lia has started working at a Vegan restaurant and provided use some great Vegan meals, yummy! We need to learn to use raw cashews soaked in water and pureed for cream sauces like Lia.

We had a great camp site with electric in front of the detached garage at their tampa house.

Thursday Jan 4^th

Left Tamp to drive over to Largo/Indian Rocks Beach to stay at our next camp ground next to Gary and Marsha’s house where we had electricity by plugging in to their house via extension cord. Dallas the 12 year old yellow lab rules the roost at this place from her tempurpedic dog throne!

Alex And Gary Try Jerry’s Siesta Key Rum

Next day went to take a walk at Walsingham County Park, the county here has done a great job in providing many very nice parks scattered across the county.

On the way back across the street stopped at the Florida Botanical Gardens where in the same park they have the Heritage Village where 20 or so historical houses and stores etc have been moved and put on display. The store was staffed with period correct dressed gentlemen whom described how the country store worked back in the day. Staff needed 6 cents per day pay!

Next day went to one of our favorite dog beaches North Clear Water Beach with Gary, Patty and Dallas.

Gary and Dallas, North Clear Water Beach

Apalachicola To Stuart

Tuesday December 12^th:

Moved to Phipps park in Stuart. Nice county park with camping. Also checked out core of engineer park which is often booked. The park borders the Okechobee canal which we took the trawler Water Dog over and back from Stuart to Clear Water Beach marina back in 2014 across lake Okechobee. When we ran the lake water level was at 12′ and we had plenty of water back then.

We went to early dinner at a fish place which was good then said our good buys.

Okeechobee Canal At Phipps Park County Campground

Wednesday December 13^tH: walked around park in AM then left and checked into rental house: Shady Oak 662 Cleveland Ave Stuart

16 nights in house: nice place, not too swanky but spaceous. Kitchen not super well equipped. AC worked well and we did use. Did rent center console boat one day which as very fun as we explored and allowed dogs to play.

James visited last week for Christmas and then Anthony came for our last night and we had dinner out at Bangkhok Thai restaurant.

Spent Christmas morning at Patty’s Mom’s and had Christmass dinner at our rental.