Across the Pond

On the same day as their successful compass practice, the Knights convened for a voyage across the dangerous waters of Dogfish Bay. Or, depending on whom you ask, they may have set out for a leisurely paddle across tranquil Liberty Bay. For the sake of this update, we will continue to refer to the bay by its earlier, more Jawsian name. Leaving the shore from two different locations, the two parties effected a mid-channel rendezvous that would have made Admiral Sprague jealous in preparation for the crossing. The fleet was comprised of an entire flotilla of kayaks and a two-man canoe, and the Knights were so fortunate as to be voyaging with both Hayley and Nate, as well as the lovely Miss Leslie. Once again, Nick’s injured leg forced him to remain home, where he remained on his crutches for exactly two more days until the first opportunity to play ultimate Frisbee popped up, at which point he literally tossed aside his crutches and made a flying catch to score a touchdown. But such glorious insanity was in the future, and the Knights were sadly bereft of his company on this expedition.

As the flotilla crossed the bay, the grey, wizened visage of a seal periodically surfaced to monitor their progress. Jelly fish were sadly in absentia, except for one that had decided the sun was too much to resist that day, and was promptly plucked out of the water to be examined for its trouble. After its release, the Knights paddled their way across the sapphire waters, and prepared to land. Arriving in Poulsbo by sea gives you a fantastic feeling, as the kayak glides smoothly through the shallows up to the dock like a Viking returning from plundering voyages long ago. After a quick docking, the Knights were able to enjoy a fantastic afternoon at the waterfront, and while no pillaging was done, it was a lovely time indeed.

Lensatic Compass Practice

On a glorious spring day in late May, the Knights of the Blue set off to practice their orienteering skills. The destination? The ice-clad North face of the Eigar? The sun-drenched canyons of Wadi Haifa? The frigid, wind-swept plains of Vostok Station? No, the destination of choice was rather closer, being the idyllic fields of Battle Point Park, which were chosen as a veritable paradise for their practice.

Leaving behind the Knight General of the Order, Nick, who had recently suffered a terrible foot injury during a game of extreme water balloons, the rest of the Knights saddled up the intrepid Subaru, its white flanks glistening in the morning dew in a manner reminiscent of the steeds of Balaclava. “Death or Glory” being the usual motto of the KBE, they were pleased to see that the beast ran smoothly and it was clearly a day destined for glory and not death that lay ahead of them!

And what a day indeed! The sun shone in a splendor that had been woefully absent for the last six rain-soaked months. The fields of the park, freshly washed in dew, were beautiful in the shimmering sunlight, and the distant horizon melted into a large wall of cedar and fir. Overhead, perched on his nest at the very pinnacle of a water tower, sat a proud Osprey, his eyes flashing back and forth as he prepared to swoop down and capture a meal for his chicks. It was lovely indeed!

Practicing a simple geometric pattern, the Knights were able to familiarize themselves with their new lensatic compass quickly. In their attempts to emulate such men as Livingstone and Perry, they would need to know this tool inside and out. With some quick review, the Knights were able to follow a course to perfection, and even managed to work in a game of Frisbee to celebrate their success. Great explorations lie in the near future.