Wind Storm: AFTERMATH!

December 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Well, it appears we may have gotten away with one as long as a hill doesn’t slide away in the next day or so. The timing of the tides vs wind spared many a basements on the west side of the street.

Don’t tell this to Rudolph and Santa though. They were pretty blown away at the 50 knot gusts!

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Asked Mr. Menashe about how the Christmas village faired last night, blessed at just a few knock-downs and the toppling of the ornamental arch over the walk way. Not bad at all!

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Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Beach Drive Homes, Holidays, Puget Sound, Weather

Weather Apps/sites for predicting wind, waves & tides

December 8, 2014 by 2 Comments

We’ve used several weather sites and apps over the years in helping us predict when we get to go fishing in our driveway. Yep, we’re well into the season of higher tides and southerly winds. “Yuletides” measuring close to 13 feet will be gracing our shores starting on Christmas while the dreaded King Tides  (my definition is over 13 feet) start up later in January.

BDB compiles several different government weather sources to come up with the Barking Dog warning…

A “barking dog report” means that we are very closely watching the sound and preparing to possibly flood. It may or may not happen (hopefully not!!). Consider us your neighbor’s barking dog who’s barking at potential trouble.

This has me wondering if there are any free sites/apps that can provide all the info you want in an easy to understand format. It’s a safe bet that most weather sites are pulling their stats off of NOAA satellites/beacons so it’s just a matter of which site/app works for you. Here’s a few freebies that stood out to me…

Predict Wind includes a robust amount of weather info (includes predicted wave & tide heights) but totally whiffed in predicting our last big blow in November. They claim that their custom report/models are used by America’s Cup & Volvo Ocean sailors more than any other forecast applications. They’re predicting that we’ll be seeing peak gusts of 50 knots around 9:oo AM tomorrow…

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iWindsurf was recommended by a neighbor and is now my go-to app. It accurately predicted our last couple of windy days off of Alki Pt. This snapshot of their Prediction Table is showing steady wind of 21 knots with peak gusts to 48 for tomorrow at 5:00 PM.

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There are several good sources for tide heights but I prefer Tide Graph HD from Brainware LLC. Here’s the height for Seattle @ 6PM tomorrow…

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Wave height is pretty much a factor of wind speed around here. The fetch or travel distances approx. the same from North to South.

Wind 10-20 Kt = 3 footers

Wind 15-25 Kt = 4 footers

Wind 25-35 Kt = 6 footers

Wind 35-45 Kt = up to 8 feet! (BTW, predicted by NOAA Marine forecast for Puget Sound/Hood Canal this Thursday evening)

 

IMG_3522 Beach Drive’s own Psycho of the Soup uses the IWindsurf app to map out wind speed forecasts for slaying the surf along the drive.

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

 

Filed Under: Tides, Weather

M/V Puget fetching debris off Beach Drive

December 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment

The US Army Corp of Engineers are busy hauling off one the largest flotillas of debris I’ve seen off our shores. As a frequent boater out here, I can’t imagine trying to maneuver around these half sunken hazards at night. Rudolph the Radar better be extra bright when he leads the Christmas ships on the 13th!

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Port of Manchester in the background…

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The M/V Puget has been dedicated for this type of debris removal in the Seattle District…

The Corps has continuing authority to study and undertake projects to remove and dispose of derelict objects such as sunken vessels, waterfront debris and derelict structures, and other sources of drift that may damage vessels or threaten public health, recreation, or the environment at publicly maintained commercial boat harbors. The harbor need not be, but usually is a Corps project. Congressional authorization is required for projects with Federal costs of $400,000 or more. (USACE Engineering Regulation 1105-2-100)

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

 

Filed Under: Boats, Puget Sound, Uncategorized

Port of Manchester WA?

November 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Yes, they actually do have an “official port” where their 3 elected members meet at the library once a month. Now they have something to really talk about, two 1000+ foot cargo ships anchored off their shores! Long term neighbors along Beach Drive have commented about never recalling cargo ships of this size tucking in behind Blake Island.

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The first cargo ship anchoring off Manchester was reported on November 6th by B-Town Blog as making an abrupt U-turn due to weather or mechanical issues…

“The ship Hyundai Force was going south to Tacoma at 1:15 p.m. when it made a U-turn and proceeded slowly in a northern direction.
When the ship made the U-turn it was just north of Three Tree Point.
As it made the U-turn, it blew its fog horn several times.
Clearly must be a response to the strong winds.
Note the trail of white behind the ship showing where it made its U-Turn.”

The Hyundia Force and the NYK Constellation are most likely hanging out waiting for the contract embattled Longshoreman in Tacoma to pay attention to them. The work slowdown has been stacking up ships and cargo up and down ports of the West coast. The Facebook page for Pier Trucker Seattle pretty much sums up how the slowdown is affecting our local transportation and exports (warning for explicit language).

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Current Affairs, Puget Sound

Better watch your step!

October 29, 2014 by 2 Comments

If you’re one of the many humans being walked by your dog along Beach Drive, you may be wondering when the Mutt Mitt boxes will be refilled. You’re going to have “hold it” until at least year-end according to the Seattle Parks people I’ve talked to. Lack of funding and having to prioritize needs will be the theme for the remainder of this year.

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One thought is to load up our local boxes with those biodegradable produce bags you get from grocery shopping. These boxes are located along Beach Drive at Cormorant Park, Mee-Kwa-Mooks, Lowman Beach, and the north entrance to Lincoln Park. I’d eat my (clean) shoe if Seattle Parks funds bags over employees in the foreseeable future.

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Parks, Pets

The “Justin” rides again!

September 8, 2014 by 2 Comments

I had to rub my eyes a few times but confirmed via AIS what I saw out in the Straits of Jaun de Fuca. it was the same 1950’s army landing craft that had sunk off the shores of Beach Drive in late 2011.

 

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She looked as good as new cruising south towards Admiralty inlet. Her current position appears to be in Lake Union according to MarineTraffic.Com.

JustinLUPlease join me in wishing Justin calm, safe seas for the rest of her career.

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

 

Filed Under: Boats, Puget Sound

Check out the back door on these 100 year olds!

September 5, 2014 by 2 Comments

While 2013 featured only one Beach Drive home (and a lighthouse) turning 100, this year needs enough candles for a half-dozen! Check ’em out…

 

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This Lowman Beach Cottage remembers when Lincoln Park was named Fauntleroy Park prior to 1922.

 

 

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One of my favs to be sure on the 5000 block.

 

 

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An extensive remodel in 2009 but the bones are unmistakably 1914. Being nestled right up against Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, I’m pretty certain it witnessed some pretty swank Schmitz parties!

 

 

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This gem is so well hidden these days, I had to use a county photo from 2003.

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This most northern 100 yo on Beach Drive may have a 1914 sports page in the attic featuring the Boston Braves sweep of the Philadelphia A’s, 1st sweep in World Series history.

 

 

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Think it knows it was built the same year as the Smith Tower??

 

 

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This is one of those beauties that sits down from the street south of where the Peavey Saw Mill used to reside on Alki Ave. (now named Beach Drive).

 

*A majority of these photos were lifted off the King County Dept of Assessments site.

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Beach Drive Homes, Historic Homes, Real Estate

Voyage of the sv Hot Potato

August 9, 2014 by 1 Comment

Making headlines for the second straight day on BDB, folks on the 5000 block of Beach Drive woke up to the un-named/registered 26 foot sailing vessel anchored out in front of their views.

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You ask how you could be so blessed to have this blue tarped boat swaying near your buoys?? Seems it was towed there by what looked like the Seattle Harbor Patrol! We first noticed the sailboat several days ago anchored out front of Weather Watch Park but recently noticed it was leap frogging south about a hundred yards or so during every flood tide. Here’s how it unfolded yesterday…

1:00 PM – The head honcho of BDB makes a call to the Coast Guard to alert them of an unsecured vessel. They pass her onto Seattle Harbor Patrol which in turn passes the buck to King County which in turn tells her to contact the Coast Guard… well, see a pattern here? Nobody wants responsibility to tow or secure the boat.

6:15 PM – The 26′ “Hot Potato” floats off it’s anchor heading out towards the shipping channel

8:00 PM – Near miss! A container ship heading north almost sends Hot Potato down to Davy Jone’s locker for good.

Approx 9:15 PM – A patrol boat with blue lights flashing is seen towing said vessel southward towards which we thought might be Des Moines or Tacoma.

Some good news for our Beach Drive neighbors is that 2 notices have been neatly taped to the aft cabin of Hot Potato. One of which reads Notice of Intent to Obtain Custody. It’s one of the first steps in disposing derelict vessels in an environmentally responsible way and, not to mention, allows time for the rightful owner to step forward.

(b) Before taking temporary possession of the vessel, the authorized public entity must make reasonable attempts to consult with the department or the United States coast guard to ensure that other remedies are not available. The basis for taking temporary possession of the vessel must be set out in writing by the authorized public entity within seven days of taking action and be submitted to the owner, if known, as soon thereafter as is reasonable. If the authorized public entity has not already provided the required notice, immediately after taking possession of the vessel, the authorized public entity must initiate the notice provisions in subsection (1) of this section. The authorized public entity must complete the notice requirements of subsection (1) of this section before using or disposing of the vessel as authorized in RCW 79.100.050.

 

In other news, wouldn’t you think they could find a more visible location for this sign?

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Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Beach Drive Homes, Boats, Puget Sound, Uncategorized

Can you hear me now on Beach Drive??

August 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment

If you you were wondering why someone was holding a pole along Beach Drive in 90+ heat…

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I’m thinking she drew the short straw while her co-worker is driving all air-conditioned around the Beach Drive vicinity taking reception readings for Verizon Cellular.

Poor cell reception comes up pretty often in conversatio…tion… arou…nd here. Good to see Verizon taking action!

 

Scupper, reporting for Beach Drive Blog

 

 

 

Filed Under: Misc., Uncategorized, Web/Tech Tagged With:

Garage sale this Saturday at 4620 Beach Dr SW

May 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment

This garage sale is NOT TO MISS! The owner’s are really nice folks but… really have no idea how highly valuable their loot is. Rumor has it that they’re unloading priceless paintings for only a couple of bucks. This is just one of many items that have spent years collecting dust in their daughter’s closet…

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Other items include several jewels of the Queen said to be still lingering under the cushion of this plush throne…

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Hope to see all you treasure hunters bright and early this Saturday & possibly Sunday starting at 9:00 AM…and to receive the super “whamo deal”, make sure you tell them Scupper sent you!!!

 

PS: If you have a garage or yard sale around Beach Drive that you’d like to promote – drop us a line!

 

Scupper, schlepping for Beach Drive Blog

Filed Under: Art, Beach Drive Homes, Garage Sales
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