The sky was cloudy. It was a cooler day, but comfortable to be out on Puget Sound as the Kiwanis club of Parkland/Spanaway set sail on “My Girl,” Sunday afternoon. They left the dock about 1:30 p.m. and headed first to the Blair Waterway and then on toward Quartermaster Harbor.

As soon as the boat left the dock, Cheryl Evans told the Captain, Paul Stanfill, “I want to see a sea lion!” Sure enough, as the boat cruised by the buoy marking Tacoma’s Commencement Bay, there was a large sea lion lying on top and just above it, a much smaller harbor seal on the tower. Cameras were snapping as the boat slowly inched closer so they could get good photos, but not frighten the mammals.

On board, Alan Perkins offered first, second and third chances to buy raffle tickets for a beautiful pair of custom necklaces. Gini Dryer Dow, who a few days ago was installed as the Kiwanis District Lt. Governor, managed to get around the boat fairly well in spite of a sling immobilizing her injured shoulder.

The voyage included a potluck and a no host bar. The Captain’s son, Charlie, served up the beverages that had proof numbers and monitored the musical selections on the sound system.

This was a fundraising event for the local Parkland-Spanaway Kiwanis. The club supports scholarships for graduates of the Bethel and Franklin Pierce School Districts. They also sponsor many Key Clubs and other junior Kiwanis organizations in the schools from elementary to college level. Coming up on October 27, the club has their Annual Scholarship Auction at 5 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Spanaway Lake High School. They are currently looking for donations of big ticket items for the live auction event and selling tickets for those who wish to attend.

The Parkland Spanaway Kiwanis meets on Thursdays at noon in the Paradise Bowl’s meeting room. Their current President is Bruce Rice.