Pirates Ahoy!

It was the opening of the boating season last weekend in Seattle, and many a unique vessel was to be seen afloat. All sorts of tugs, wooden boats, yachts, steamboats... big and little.

Of course these two really stood out. They even had a mock battle with gunpowder.

One of these ships, (the Lady Washington) was used in the movie Master and Commander with Russell Crowe. It looked so much bigger in the movie than it does in real life. I believe it also was used in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies.

Sometimes they sail these ships all around Lake Union... but this time they stayed far away, towards the Center for Wooden Boats on Lake Union.

I have always had a thing for the sailing ships of old. As a boy I'd draw them for hours on end. I loved drawing every little detail... all the rope ladders and rigging other cool things.

They're the stuff of dreams I think. And they're fabulous as geometric designs... so elegant, complex, distinct and amazing.