Impromptu Seattle Party

     As all good cruisers know, you don't need a reason to get together with other cruisers and have a good time.  That said, at the recent Seattle Boat Show (Jan. '06) I was asked to speak at a charity event for Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Seattle.  On our website bulletin board a group of cruisers suggested that might be a good time to have a little get together.

     And so it was set.  The gathering place for the event was settled.  We'd meet at Harvey's Lounge in Ballard.

     As we entered Harvey's we were greeted by about 30 cruisers, most of whom we knew from the NW Cruisers' Party a few months earlier.   I walked up to the bar and ordered a coldie.  The lady serving the beer didn't look real pleased with the crowd.  Said something about it never being this busy.

     As the night progressed (digressed?), the Music Man, who is an avid sailor, kept the party going with some great sailing music.  Then Pam decided it was time to dance on the tables.  She did a cross between a jig and a tap dance.

     I looked over at Audrey, the lady who was running the bar, and she had a great big smile on her face.

     "You know," she said, smiling, I've been serving beer here for over 30 years."

     She hesitated for a minute, and then continued.

     "It's been over 25 years since anyone has danced on the tables here!"  She smiled.

     The rest of the evening was mellow and about as perfect as can be.  Audrey, the owner, had her son come in to help handle "the crowd," and a dozen pizza's (some of the best I've ever had) were consumed in a matter of minutes.

     A lot of folks had to work the next day, and being cruisers, it was an early night anyway.  As Jody & I were leaving I noticed Audrey at the end of the bar, engrossed in the latest issue of Lats & Atts.  We had a new convert.

     So the next time you're passing through Ballard, Washington, stop by Harvey's on Leary Street and say  "Hi" to Audrey.