06/12/2026
One ship. Centuries of history. ⚓
A member of the Daily Kos community shared the story of the Lady Washington, and we thought it deserved a wider audience.
The original Lady Washington was launched in Boston in 1787 and became the first American vessel flying the U.S. flag to reach the Pacific Northwest in 1788. Built for trade, she connected worlds long before modern shipping routes and highways.
Today, her full-scale replica serves as Washington State's official ship and continues a different mission—bringing maritime history to life through education, hands-on experiences, and community programs.
Thanks to Ojibwa and the Daily Kos community for helping introduce more people to the Lady Washington and the work of the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport.
06/12/2026
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter: 3 planets visible this week.
It's a good week to be a stargazer, with three planets visible in the Western sky.
Venus and Jupiter have been hanging out together this week in what's called a "conjunction" — when planets seem close to one another from our POV on Earth.
Starting Thursday night through Monday, Mercury will join them for what NASA calls a "mini parade of planets."
👉 Learn more here: bit.ly/4oqXbYG
06/09/2026
Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is setting sail. 🏴☠️
Look for Sparrow’s Son, Margot Robbie, and a leaner, meaner vision for the franchise.
Few film franchises have carried quite as much nostalgic weight over the past two decades as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean‘. The swashbuckling Disney series turned a theme park ride into a genuine pop culture sensation, with Johnny Depp’s roguish Captain Jack Sparrow becoming one of the most recognizable characters in modern blockbuster history. 🍿
It's been nearly a decade after the last film hit theaters, the seas have been quiet, but the winds of change appear to be picking up fast.
👉 Learn more here: bit.ly/4v4KHsm
06/09/2026
The Space Needle unveiled a new paint job, turning the roof of its iconic saucer into a giant soccer ball.
The makeover comes less than a week before Seattle hosts its first of six FIFA World Cup matches.
The black-and-white design "sends a powerful message that Seattle is ready to welcome the world," Peter Tomozawa, CEO of Seattle's local World Cup organizing committee, said in a news release.
Consider it the most visible sign yet of the soccer fever set to sweep Seattle this summer.
06/06/2026
Lady Washington's long-lost companion.
Recently, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Board Member Susan Ogilvie visited Disneyland to see Columbia, a ship with a fascinating connection to Lady Washington.
Designed by maritime architect Ray Wallace, both vessels share a similar appearance inspired by the historic ships of the Pacific Northwest fur trade era. Standing 110 feet long and fully rigged, Columbia is an impressive sight, complete with a towering mainmast, cannons, and deck-mounted guns.
But the story behind the original Columbia is even more remarkable.
In 1792, Captain Robert Gray sailed Columbia Rediviva into the mouth of a great river in the Pacific Northwest, becoming the first non-Indigenous navigator known to enter it from the Pacific Ocean. He named it the Columbia River after his ship.
The ship's full name, Columbia Rediviva, has an interesting origin as well. The vessel was rebuilt from an earlier ship named Columbia, and the Latin word "Rediviva" means "revived" or "restored to life."
06/05/2026
A wedding, a storm, and a tall ship.
The Lady Washington has been part of a lot of memorable voyages over the years, but some stories stay with you.
One of our followers recently shared these photos and the story of her wedding aboard Lady Washington in 2019.
"We sailed out of Dana Point Harbor. The captain called me the day before warning me of stormy seas and asking what my rain plan was."
'To get wet!' I said.
"The morning of the celebration, I watched the downpour outside the hotel window while the makeup artist quietly switched to waterproof applications. But as we arrived at port, the skies cleared for a beautiful day at sea."
It's hard to imagine a more fitting beginning for a life together than setting sail aboard a tall ship. We're honored that Lady Washington could be part of such an important day, and we're especially touched to hear that the ship remains close to her heart all these years later.
Stories like this remind us that Lady Washington isn't just a vessel—she's part of people's lives, memories, and milestones.
Thank you for sharing your story and photos with us.
📸 Jeff Janke
Jeff Janke at Big Pictures shoots weddings and events with over 15 years covering amazing weddings and incredible couples via professional photography and cinematic wedding films.
instagram.com/wearebigpicturesweddingfilms
06/04/2026
🚨 Last call for vendors to join Waves, Wheels & Wrestling! 🚨
We're down to just a few vendor spots remaining for Waves, Wheels & Wrestling 2026!
This one-of-a-kind waterfront event brings together classic cars, boats, professional wrestling, maritime history, food, entertainment, and families looking for a great day out. If you're a vendor looking to showcase your products, services, artwork, crafts, collectibles, or local business, this is your chance to get in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Vendor spaces are limited and applications are being reviewed now.
Apply here: bit.ly/4uQk366
Know a vendor who would be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post!
Historical Sailing Ship Adventures on the Lady Washington | Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
Set sail on the Lady Washington! Your next adventure can be a weekend getaway, historical appreciation, or even a party! Learn more here!
06/06/2026
06/05/2026
06/04/2026