“The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.”
                 – William Arthur Ward, Writer

It has been a couple of difficult years for all of us.  I have heard the word “unprecedented” so many times over the last two years and in so many different contexts, but we really have been in a state of uncharted times with Covid-19 upending our lives.  Covid entered the picture just two months into my Commodore term.  It has been challenging, but together, with the Board making some tough decisions, with the Membership’s support, along with “adjusting our sails,” we’ve survived as a Club and are now learning how to live with Covid.  Thank you for getting your vaccines and boosters!  Isn’t science and medicine wonderful?  I’m so thankful.

I am very happy to say that we will end 2021 back in the clubhouse for our December 14th general meeting.  In keeping with tradition, we will have a performance by Key City Public Theatre as our program for the evening, to spread some holiday cheer.  Our general meeting will follow.  The Board decided on no food or beverages in order to keep everyone’s masks on at all times, and proof of vaccination will be required at the door.   ZOOM will be set up for those not able to attend.

This being my last Commodore Column, I can’t thank the Board and Membership enough for their support and patience in weaving our way through these trying times.  PTYC has an exceptional Board stepping into 2022, and I am honored to serve as Past Commodore.

I see a fun-filled year ahead for PTYC.

Commodore Debbie

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

Participants showed a great deal of enthusiasm at the recent 2022 Event & Cruise Planning Session led by Fleet Captain Alice Tibbals.  Whether you enjoy shorter cruises or longer cruises, destinations north or south, east or west, there is something for you.  We are also putting clubhouse and other events back on the calendar.  Some indoor events may need to be tweaked to accommodate Covid mandates, but we’re going to give it our best, while staying healthy too.

These cruises and events will not happen without captains and co-captains, so please consider volunteering. There are still details to be worked out on some of the longer flex cruises, so jump in and be part of that planning.  Contact Fleet Captain Alice to help with cruises, and Commodore Debbie for events.  The captains for cruises need to be filled right away so reservations can be made at marinas to accommodate PTYC cruisers.  You’ll find the 2022 lineup in the following pages to see where help is still needed.  Let’s make these events and cruises happen by volunteering!

• Benefits of volunteering:
• Make new friends
• Support your fellow PTYC club members
• Builds camaraderie
• Make a difference
• Builds a sense of achievement
• Provides a sense of purpose
• Stay mentally and physically active

Have fun!

I see a fun-filled year ahead for PTYC.

Commodore Debbie

Now that boating season is coming to an end, we should find other outdoor activities to keep us healthy, safe, and sane in these crazy pandemic times.  Our son and daughter-in-law, Braden and Lisa, who live in the Portland area, were up visiting over Labor Day Weekend.   Braden asked if we’d ever been on the hike to Tamanowas Rock Sanctuary, in Chimacum.  I had never even heard of it.  After a quick Google search, we knew we had to explore.

The Sanctuary has a lot of history to the S’Klallam people and is considered a sacred place.  Even to this day the S’Klallam people make offerings and prayers of thanks when they visit.  Tamanowas means “spirit power” in their native language and in ancient times they went there to discover their guardian spirit.  Some claimed to find their “spirit animal.”  (I told Braden and Lisa that I already knew that if I had a spirit animal it would be an Orca.)  Tamanowas Rock was also used as a mastodon hunting lookout and considered a place of refuge during floods and tsunamis.

We found the very small parking lot off Anderson Lake Road, parked, and began our ascent.  The trails took us through fir trees, alder, big leaf maple, madrona and cedar.  The autumn colors were just barely beginning to reveal their glory.  We were so enthralled with the beauty, we missed the trail to the Rock and found ourselves high above Chimicum Valley with breathtaking views of the valley and sea.  I’m glad we missed the turn, because this was not to be missed either.  On our descent we found the correct trail and after a short walk through a pathway of lush ferns, Tamanowas Rock rose up from the forest like a magnificent natural cathedral.  It is an immense monolith with caves, crevices and cliffs, formed 43 million years ago.   In the quiet, almost eerie, but majestic surroundings Braden, Lisa and I could feel the “spirit power” of nature itself.

I’d highly recommend this short hike.  The fall colors should be even more spectacular now.  Take in the beauty of Tamanowas Rock Sancuary and find your spirit power.   The hike became even more special to come home to a pod of Orcas swimming by our home off the bluff of Marrowstone Island (confirming my spirit animal?).

                                                                                                                     Commodore Debbie