July 4, 2011

Sleepless in Seattle

Today we took the bikes along the canal path over to Lake Union and spent the afternoon messing about with boats both big and small. The Center For Wooden Boats always has an open house on July 4th with lots of activities for all ages. There are several houseboat communities along the shores on the way there.


Honestly I was not even thinking about scale models today but there they were despite trying to escape such things for the afternoon. Might as well enjoy them since I was not responsible for making them on a holiday. There has been a pond boat building program at the Center for many years. This year the land just outside the Center got a landscape makeover in which they installed a sail boat pond. How much fun is that? One of the 4th of July activities for kids is building toy boats.

The photos below are of the workshop where the pond sailing program is held. The program is in conjunction with a City of Seattle Alternative, middle school. What a fun way to learn math and science!
photo copyright Karin Corbin 2011
photo copyright Karin Corbin 2011
photo copyright Karin Corbin 2011
photo copyright Karin Corbin 2011



Now for something to inspire you to make a marine related miniature scene. The small shed at the Center for Wooden Boats that serves as their boat rental office. I love the oar for a weather vane and the decorative shingle detail.
photo copyright Karin Corbin 2011

My favorite boat of the day, a small steam powered launch.
photo copyright Karin Corbin 2011

7 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a great day! Love the oar weathervane too. I've been looking for something to add to the cupola of my garage project. One of my friends sent me two beautiful handmade miniature oars. I think you've shown me the perfect solution!
    Thank you!

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  2. Oh Karin,the pictures are absolutely wonderful!! It shows us that you had a terrific day.
    I particularly like the workshop and the Center for Wooden Boats too.
    Thank you for sharing with us.

    Karin

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  3. Karin, what a wonderful day! I loved Center for Wooden Boats and have dreamed about starting a similar club in Minneapolis --I'd call it the 'Loring Pond Yacht Club.'

    Glad to see I'm not the only one who has fallen off the blog bandwagon. I do so miss your comments & input.

    Happy Summer!
    --John

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  4. these are "dream" pictures.. It ... the imagination. I cann't find the word in english :-)
    I think you'll understand it.
    Groeten vanuit Nederland. Elizabeth.

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  5. I have not seen these large model sailing boats since my childhood. My local park had a large pond used by enthusiasts, who had a large clubhouse where they stored and repaired their boats. The hobby seemed to die and the clubhouse is now deserted and falling into disrepair.

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  6. That is a shame Stan. I wonder if many besides yourself know about that pond and its purpose? Surely the newer generations would love for their children to enjoy that hobby that would get the kids off the computer and out of doors.

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