Welcome to the Floating Homes Association

A View from the Sidelines

It all started with weeds.  When the Shoreline Master Program Update (SMP) came to town, I welcomed it as a vehicle for reducing the use of chemicals to control aquatic weeds. I had no idea that attending an SMP open house in late fall of 2007, would lead to meetings and workshops beginning in March, 2008, and continuing for more than a year, or that my interest in weeds would lead so quickly to concern for my beloved life afloat.

Western Washington has a mystique. It's a unique blend of snow-capped mountains, misty rain forests, waters everywhere (an inland sea, bays, lakes, rivers), whales, elk, salmon and mild, mosquito-free climate. All Western Washington's diverse natural elements are entwined in a complex, self-sustaining order. The threads of its beautiful tapestry began to weave together about 13,000 years ago when the 3,000-foot-deep Vashon Glacier retreated.

Unfortunately, after thousands of years of perfect primal coordination, this mixture of natural wonders is falling apart.

It's another hot day on the Lake, so why not join me? Get in your kayak, canoe or sail along with me as we visit houseboaters around the lake. Our route will start at Northlake. Then we'll go up the west side of Lake Union, back down the eastern shores and finally go a short distance into Portage Bay.