Bored with our usual haunts, we planned a new adventure.  Two nights in Tacoma and our first time/night on anchor in Quartermaster.  We were able to book moorage with Foss Harbor Marina.  A lovely marina, with guest slips for temporary moorage typically available when permanent residents are away.  Nice bathrooms, showers, lounge area with patio and a little market with essentials.  Walking distance to downtown Tacoma with lots of restaurant choices.  Also short Uber ride to many Tacoma waterfront restaurants.  A highlight was The Point Defiance Zoo. Pretty grounds, and lots of interesting animals.  You are able to take the trolly or Uber as we did, and it's a short 5-10 minute drive.  

After our two nights in Tacoma we were ready for a more picturesque nature setting.  We set sail for a night on anchor in Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island.  We read in our cruising guide of two spots for good anchorage at Dockton Park  and Burton, all the way at the end of the passage.  We were a bit unsure of which area would be best so we ended up choosing Burton all the way at the end.  It was quite windy, 19k winds, but we did achieve successful anchorage around 2PM.  Winds died down and we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful Vashon surroundings and peaceful harbor.  Wind died down around dinner time.  Upon arrival we noticed we were in a dense residential area.  We needed to relieve our two whippets and after kayaking in to a nearby beach were greeted with a sign 'Please leave your address, and I will visit your home and have my dog poop in your yard.', so we started to get the impression visitors were not necessarily welcome on these beaches and are private property.  However, all beaches are in fact public in Washington.  There is a nearby private marina in the Burton area where we felt a bit more comfortable relieving our dogs.  However, next time we would stay by the Dockton Park which had more space for public usage.  

A weekend in Kingston is a quick easy way for us to get away, and there's enough there to make everyone happy. We left on a Saturday from Seattle around 12 and were there by 2ish. The public dock has online reservations which we tried for the 1st time and was successful, however you can just show up and slips are available. The Kingston harbor staff is especially helpful and friendly.  

We hit up our favorites the first being Little City Candy Company. If you have not been, you need to go!  Wonderful selection including homemade fudge, cult classic candy, and much more.

Kingston Ale House, impressive food and drinks for both adults and kids.  They have a pretty deck out back for nicer days and lots of games to take to your table to play.

Henery Hardware Kingston,easy walking distance from the marina.  We were able to find fishing poles and gear for the children and ourselves.

New this time - Westside Pizza, great for cheap, quick eats they have slices and whole pies.  Grab and go, or eat in.

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During Spring Break we spent a night on Blake Island, and then headed over to Poulsbo for two nights.  Poulsbo is convenient and charming.  Sailing through Agate Pass is beautiful.  We saw a pod of Orcas on our way through.  In Poulsbo, all four of us love the bookstore, Liberty Bay Books, and JJ's Fish House is a must for fish and chips.  

Sailing through Agate

Park by the Marina 

Salty dog