October 14, 2009

 

 

Captain Erik really surprised us last Friday night. He and Heidi invited Margie & I to a nice quiet dinner at Anthony’s Restaurant at Shilshole Bay, strictly a come as you are little family get together. All my alarm bells went off when we did not go to the main seating. Erik said ‘we will just eat in this other section over here to the right as it’s a little more private’.  Wow! We walked into the room and there were 30 people clapping their hands and cheering us: a lot of old friends and all the people that work with us and for us. A huge sign was up celebrating Mark’s 50 years and Margie’s 30 years. Needless to say we were speechless- they really knocked the socks off us. The people that came the farthest were Chuck & Karla Fowler from Olympia and Robin & Kae Paterson from Gig Harbor. Many speeches were given – sometimes 2 or 3 from the same person, all heartfelt and funny; Margie never really made it all the way through her thank you due to choking up…now that takes a bit of doing; and I have to share with you this one item which is quite touching. This was printed on the side of a box “To Capt. Mark Freeman:  Mark we hope that this 25 million candle power hand held light helps you to continue to light the path of inspiration & quality of life that you have shown and continue to still do. Thank you Captain.  PS: You are truly a Captain of Life.”  Signed Mike & Patti.  Now if that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, nothing would.  We had a lot of fun, the food was great and the BS wonderful. It seemed like it was over in about 5 minutes actually it was more like 4 hours, then we were home and Margie and I looked at each other and said ‘did that really happen’? Talk about a blur. Erik and Tom, you really pulled off the secret of the year – many thanks to you both – it’s an honor to have all of you in our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STANDFAST has been sold! Her new owner is Thompson Pile Driving of Port Orchard. Paul Fritts was their contact man and she will be renamed FRITZY.  Cliff Thompson brought the pick up crew over in his yacht TRIUMPH named for the old tug. Cliff and I go way back to 1952 when I started working for his Dad, Sherman, and partner, Mississippi, making up log rafts out of Deer Harbor on Orcas Island.  I have included in the blog several pictures that were taken on Columbus Day in 1992 of the STANDFAST.   We called the storm Hillary’s Hurricane.  The photos were taken from a KIRO video with their permission. We were called to get a barge that was beating a condo to death on Lake Washington and the STANDFAST was just south of the Evergreen Point Bridge and it had to be blowing over 90. Once thru the bridge they could not turn around so they ran down to the I-90 bridge and sheltered there till the wind went down to 40 and then got the barge in tow off a lee shore. If you look carefully in one of the pictures you can see the bridge and a big truck on it.  I bought the STANDFAST in 1972 and she did thousands of tows for us – couldn’t have asked for more from such an able vessel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lost another old friend – Ed Delanty – whose funeral was Saturday.  Ed was born in 1934  and I had known Ed forever, starting when I was selling boats in the early 1960’s. Ed was out of Grays Harbor and he took a lot of tug boat photos. It’s nice that we stayed in touch all those years – he will be missed.

 

The cats are staying closer to home now that it’s a bit colder . Perhaps a bit too close.  I looked in on Margie and Raz was behind her on her chair and Batman was sleeping on her lap while she is trying to type on the computer. Indy moved into closer range once I turned on the oil foc’sle heater in our house boat.

 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAIRTIDE MARK.

PS:  First south east blow of the season is just starting at 1100 on Tuesday. Good, it didn’t last long….but I have a feeling that was the preview.

 

 

RENTAL PROPERTIES & SERVICES WE OFFER.

 

·       Quiet, protected open boat moorage to 70 feet at FREMONT BOAT COMPANY at 206-632-0152.

 

·       Great office space at the O.H. Doc Freeman office building. Water views over our marina on Lake Union. Only five single offices now available!  Kitchen, sun deck and conference room are included. Call Margie at 206-632-0152.

 

·       Tugboat service & barge rentals call Erik or Tom at 206-632-0151

 

·        Dog walking, Petsitting and Lodging – call Heidi Freeman at Happy Camper Pet Service, 206-784-5291.

 

·       Single family homes for lease in the Ballard area.

    Call Margie at 206 632 0152 or Erik at 206-632-0151.

 

·       Covered & open boat moorage plus brokerage situation available at DOC’S DOCK on Lake Union. Call Dayle at 206-697-4552.

 

·       New book for sale “TUGBOATS ON PUGET SOUND”. Call 206-632-0152 to buy your signed copy – we’ll send one to you; or pick one up from Fremont Boat Co. at 1059 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103.