Russ, I love your new avatar!

We have the right date, Sunday, April 1, and a good idea for a gathering - round trip from Seattle to Bremerton on the ferry with a stop over for a lunch in Bremerton. The ferry schedule that will be released later will show the possible sailing times to consider. This Qland anniversary/birthday/celebration day will not fall on a weekend day again until 2017. So don't miss it!

Reminders and more information will be posted as we get into March. I have attended two gatherings, both have been small and both have been very much fun - lots of good conversation, and great to meet people face to face!

Please be sure when you publicize this, that you clearly state this is NOT an April Fools Joke. "It's No Joke, we're turning 3 and want to throw ourselves a party.. You're invited to come along. So Don't miss the boat..." Something like that?

The very first weekend I ever spent here over 25 years ago I took that round trip to enjoy the view and water. Went to Bremerton, had a nice lunch and returned. I looked at restaurant listings and see some mentioned nearby, but we should get some recommendations and make sure there are Sunday hours.

I looked up events and see no sports stuff happening at the stadiums.

This could be just long enough to be fun and somewhat different from meeting at a happy hour on a weekday eve. Midday would be a great timing also. I hope some others will chime in here if interested. I will wait a day or so and then post it as a separate question.

The boats usually assigned to the SEA-BR run hold 1076 to 2000 passengers so it shouldn't be a problem, but I will volunteer to call WSF and the Galley contractor and give them a head up if/when we decide to do this, and I hope we do. As far as a cafe on the other side, I don't know, I alyways just blow through Bremerton on my way to the coast. Perhaps we could post a question and ask our friendly Kitsap County Qlanders for advice? There is always also the option of a Bainbridge run but that is only a 30 min ride each way, my inclination was to do Bremerton because it's a 60 min boat ride each way, more time to socialize onboard. Another great thing about this idea is that Colman Dock is easily accessible from light rail, Amtrak and Metro so it's easy for Qlanders from all over to get to. If we scheduled it for midday that would probably be best, give everyone time to get their bus or train back to our respective neighborhoods. And there shouldnt be a stadium conflict for drivers to find parking on April 1, right?

I think the Lake Union cruise is a bit ambitious and might be a good one for later years.

I do however, like the idea of the ferry crossing round trip. Would we have to do anything to warn the ferry system about a group of folks coming together to socialize on the way over and back? Are there any moderately priced restaurants close by to walk to and have a soup and sandwich over there and catch a later ferry back? Even a late comer could catch up if we did that.

One thing for sure is that if you didn't show up for this social, then you really would have "missed the boat"! ;0)