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Tall Ships in Bodega Bay

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Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

 

Tall Ships in Bodega Bay

 

We had a real treat this past week in Bodega Bay, when Tall Ships based out of Grays Harbor, Washington, paid us a visit. According to the local paper, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain have never been here before and their presence was an instant hit. Actually ... too much of a hit.

Thousands of curious locals descended upon the tiny hamlet of Bodega Bay to get a closer look. Hundreds of folks had to be turned away due to lack of parking and lack of hours in the day. I got lucky and took advantage of a mis-print in the paper that had the wrong date of arrival. I rushed to the harbor and was able to tour Lady Washington with time to spare.

On Saturday and Sunday, the boats headed out of the harbor into Bodega Bay for a mock battle. It was pretty cool to hear the cannons and see the smoke, realizing just how close these boats had to get to each other to do any sort of damage back in their day.

Lady Washington, the boat on the right, portrayed the HMS Interceptor in "Pirates of the Caribbean". Aye Aye, Matey!

 

 

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Cynthia Larsen (707-332-2560) is an independent real estate referral broker in Sonoma County, California as well as a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist.

CA Broker License #01433049

Comments(18)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Oh Cynthia, lucky you and the folks living at or near by Bodega Bay. I know on the East Coast particularly Long Island they have had these tall ships before. Such a beautiful and historic feeling they must give you. Thanks for your enthusiastic report.

Apr 10, 2012 09:51 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Cynthia:  Wow... that had to be an absolutely incredible scene to see.  I sure wish we could get these ships into the Fort Worth Harbor.  Trouble is... any ship needing more than a four-inch draft would not be able to make it up the Trinity River.  I hate that.

Do they just plant themselves in the harbor, or do they actually dock, and allow the spectators to tour them ?  That would be so cool.

ps... if you look at Gary's photo in comment number 1... from just the right angle... doncha think he looks more than a little bit like a pirate ?  I could just see him, sword in hand, at the helm of one of those gorgeous ships.

Apr 10, 2012 10:07 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Gary - I went to the harbor three times to see these ships, they were magnificent.

Karen Anne - oh, that's too bad! Bodega harbor is pretty shallow as well, and if you deviate from the narrow path of ingress you will be in trouble. These ships docked at Spud Point Marina and allowed tours at specific times, I was lucky to get aboard the Lady Washington. And I agree, Gary would make a fine Pirate! LOL!

Apr 10, 2012 10:14 AM
Carie Shapiro
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL

I've missed the tall ships exhibition a couple of times in my area.  Thanks for the report ... I will definitely have to make sure I get to the next one!

Apr 10, 2012 10:22 AM
San Antonio Texas New Homes for Sale
www.sanantoniotexasnewhomesforsale.com - San Antonio, TX
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hill Country

Hi Cynthia...They sure do look Awesome!   And a tour of Lady Washington too!!!!    Wow!!!

Apr 10, 2012 10:47 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Carie - if you like boats and the water, you'll be glad you went to see them.

Robert - they were incredible! I was so lucky to tour Lady Washington and get photos on board the ship.

Apr 10, 2012 10:54 AM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Very cool Cynthia.  I would love to go aboard one of those ships as long as it was docked.  I don't do well out on the ocean.  Great picture too.  Thanks for sharing.

Apr 10, 2012 10:58 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Cynthia I've seen the tall ships before and they are so awesome......takes me back to another lifetime!!!!

Apr 10, 2012 11:11 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

That is so cool.  I love sailing ships and would like to have seen that.

Apr 10, 2012 11:16 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Jim - I used to race sailboats and I just love being anywhere near water so this was an awesome week!

Anna Banana - I felt like I was in the 18th century, the volunteers were dressed in period clothes too!

Gene - The ships will be back in July at Fort Ross, which is celebrating its 200 year anniversary.

Apr 10, 2012 11:27 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Cynthia, That's not a sight you get to see every day!  Pretty cool and love their mock battle.  And those fights back in the day were pretty up close and personal.

Apr 10, 2012 10:25 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

BLiz - you could pay $40-$60 for a ride on a ship during the mock battles. The next time they visit I'll be on that ship, not observing from the bluffs.

Apr 11, 2012 12:03 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Cynthia, those tall ships are lovely. When I see them I'm always reminded of the Caribbean of old, the Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, the adventurers discovering new places and all those stories and legends that I used to read about as a boy. It's very comforting knowing that the things that used to excite me as a child still can tug at my heart a little when I see them. Arrrrr matey, have a great day.

Apr 11, 2012 12:20 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I am sure that some where in a past life I sailed upon such a vessel... They are magic to me!

Apr 11, 2012 09:25 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Never knew that they could reinact a battle on the high seas.  Bodega Bay gets around.  Wasn't that the backdrop to The Birds??  (I should just Google that) ;-)

Apr 11, 2012 09:51 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Malcolm - I feel the same way ... that's why I couldn't stay away. I've never been to Bodega Bay three times in one week.

Paul - I think you would have made a wonderful pirate :)

Carla - Yes, the towns of Bodega and Bodega Bay were both prominent in The Birds. Also, a church in Bodega was made famous by Ansel Adams in the late 40's. Tourists visit these towns every day. Bodega Bay is still a fishing community, it's a lot of fun to go there.

Apr 14, 2012 04:04 PM
Rob Spinosa
US Bank - Larkspur, CA
Mortgage Loan Originator, Marin County

Can't think of a better venue than Bodega Bay to catch such a sight.  I don't make it over there nearly enough.  Really cool photo!

Apr 23, 2012 11:09 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Rob - you are really close ... you should catch the magic of Stinson and Dillon Beaches on your way up to Bodega Bay. Truely spectactular, my friend.

Apr 25, 2012 10:16 AM