Friends of Odyssey

06/03/2025

What has become of Tacoma’s Tall Ship? Find out here:

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The old wooden sailboat, with which writer Emily Molina had spent countless hours over the past five years alongside Sea Scout Ship 190 and conducting research for her book, 'Tacoma’s Tall Ship: The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey,' was sold to a new keeper in late October of 2024.

06/03/2025

Here she is- our beautiful (former sea scout ship) Odyssey finishing up repairs in San Fran before heading to new home in Cannes, France & looking more majestic than ever with her new mainmast, thanks to the expert hands of her new keeper (📸courtesy of DC) Thanks for sharing! Here’s to new journeys ahead! ⛵️⛵️⛵️

Learn all about her vast history in recently published book by .molinawrites

Get your copy of Tacoma’s Tall Ship: The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey at these local retailers:

✔️ - Tacoma
✔️ - Tacoma
✔️ - Steilacoom
✔️ - Tacoma
✔️ - Port Townsend
✔️ - Tacoma
✔️ - Coupeville
✔️ - Bellingham
✔️ - Gig Harbor
✔️ - Seattle
✔️ - Steilacoom

Or online

05/09/2025

Hello Everyone!!
We're excited to announce a new era of our program: we have a new boat!

Odyssey II has been through a drydock for routine maintenance and some upgrades. And now we're looking for some financial support to help us through this next phase as we work toward our goal of financial self-sufficiency. We would appreciate any contributions you can send our way, even donations of just $5 add up pretty quickly!
We thank you for your support, as without it, we couldn't have dreamed of getting this far. Our community is the best!

05/05/2025

Hope to see you THIS weekend at the 2025 Olympia Wooden Boat Festival: Saturday, May 10 & Sunday, May 11, at Percival Landing: 217 Thurston Avenue NE, Olympia.

Visit Sunday, May 11th from 11-5pm to meet the author & get your signed copies of Tacoma’s Tall Ship, the Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey ⛵️⛵️

Discover the vast maritime history of the region⛵️⛵️⛵️

05/01/2025

https://www.southsoundmag.com/travel-outdoor/the-odyssey-farewell-emily-molina/article_f27c30fa-b02a-4bb3-a92b-9ccc1a45092f.html

The old wooden sailboat, with which writer Emily Molina had spent countless hours over the past five years alongside Sea Scout Ship 190 and conducting research for her book, 'Tacoma’s Tall Ship: The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey,' was sold to a new keeper in late October of 2024.

11/21/2024

UPDATE: thanks to the generous support of donors, SSS 190 youth will soon be sailing on this Baltic 51 beauty⛵️more details coming soon! THANKS for your continued support🙌

10/25/2024

What an amazing night & turnout for the launch of my book ⛵️Such a special evening sharing the history of this iconic sailboat- Tacoma’s Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey & one I will never forget⛵️Special THANKS to ❤️So many friends & guests with personal connections who stopped by, shared their own stories and supported this project! It has been an honor to preserve the story & share the stage with this group of sailors⛵️Thank you from the bottom of my heart & LONG LIVE THE ODYSSEY!

10/24/2024

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT! 🙌

Introducing Lawson E (Bud) Bronson, our final panelist for the launch of Emily Molina's Tacoma's Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey, taking place tonight right here at the Seaport from 6 to 9 pm! 🚢 ️

Bud began sailing as a Sea Scout around 1953 on San Francisco Bay in a 30-foot ketch-rigged “whale” boat. He entered the U S Naval Academy in 1959 and joined the “ocean sailing” Team. While on active duty as an Officer – he was on submarines. He obtained an MSE in Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan in 1972, was employed at Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. from 1973 to 1980, and spent his time on power vessels as the Sea Trials Master.

From 1980 to 2000, he was one of the owners of Bronson and Windsor. He was a USCG licensed Master of vessels less than 5000 GRT. He became part of the Sea Scout Ship Odyssey in the mid-80s, where he continued to participate in the operation and maintenance of the vessel as one of several Captains, then as the “Skipper”, and later as Committee Chair, and now Charter Organization Representative.

We hope to see you tonight! ⚓️

https://www.facebook.com/share/uoE1M8cVfMm4QbQ7/

Photo courtesy of Michiel Hoogstede

10/22/2024

Meet Bob Burns, the fifth of our six extraordinary panelists who will be speaking at the book launch of Tacoma's Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey this Thursday! 🚢 ️

Bob Burns, who grew up around mostly motor boats, was 50 years old when he learned to sail. He began volunteering onboard the Odyssey around 1979 while maintaining a 34-year career with Tacoma Public Utilities before retiring. He also captained part-time onboard the Silver Swan Tour Boat (formerly Mosquito Fleet’s Ronda).
He obtained his captain’s license around 1980 and kept it until he was 80. He turned 96 this past July.

We are so excited to have Bob help ring in the launch of Emily Molina's new book! Come out to the Seaport on October 24th from 6-8pm, where you'll also be able to purchase a signed copy. Stay tuned to hear about our final panelist and don't forget to RSVP to our event page! ⚓

https://www.facebook.com/share/uoE1M8cVfMm4QbQ7/

Photo courtesy of Bob Burns

10/17/2024

Meet Captain Michiel Hoogstede, one of our special six panelists who will be speaking at the book launch of Tacoma's Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey one week from today! 🚢 ️

Captain Hoogstede began volunteering onboard the Odyssey in 2004. He obtained his 100-ton license in 2006 and has been a captain onboard Odyssey for Sea Scout Ship 190 ever since. Since he was 16, Captain Hoogstede went to sea for a living on Coast Guard and Merchant ships. Starting as a Coast Guard apprentice, he "came up through the hawse (through the ranks)" to become a 2nd Mate Any Tonnage Ocean’s Unlimited. He worked at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard between 1988-2016.

We are so excited to have Michiel help ring in the launch of Emily Molina's new book! Come out to the Seaport on October 24th from 6-8pm, where you'll also be able to purchase a signed copy.

Stay tuned to hear about the rest of the panel line-up and be sure to RSVP to our event page! ⚓

Tacoma’s Tall Ship | Book Launch featuring Emily Molina

Photo credit: Michiel Hoogstede

10/10/2024

Meet Eric Kiesel, another panelist who will be joining us for our book launch of Emily Molina's "Tacoma's Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey" here at the Seaport on Oct. 24th from 6-8pm! 📚

Captain Eric Kiesel has been involved with sea scouts since 2003 in GA. After relocating to Washington, he began volunteering with the Sea Scout Ship 190 Odyssey Program in 2007. After obtaining his Captain’s license in 2014, he remains a Captain for SSS 190 and the Odyssey Committee Chair.

Sailing since the late 1960s, Captain Kiesel got his start in intercollegiate racing and moved on to keelboat racing. Later, while volunteering with the Sea Scouts, he was certified by the US Sailing Association as a Smallboat Sailing Instructor and Sailing Coach. He is now a practicing Forensic Pathologist and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington!

Come meet Eric and our other wonderful panelists later this month for an evening of rich Tacoma maritime history! ⚓ And don't forget to RSVP to our event page down below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1G7rw4mxzKAhkA3M/️

Photo credit SSSOdyssey.org

10/10/2024

Meet the author of "Tacoma's Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey," the literary work we'll be launching right here at the Seaport! 📖 ✍️

Emily Molina is an author and freelance writer from the Midwest who has called the South Sound home for the past 10 years. She is a former International Flight Attendant, novice sailor, and tall ship enthusiast. A love for the sea and history led her to the Odyssey and to write the book "Tacoma's Tall Ship, The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey." 🌊

Her writing and content have appeared in various publications, including South Sound Magazine, Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, Experience Cannon Beach, Visit Tacoma Pierce County, Arcadia Publishing, Showcase Magazine, 425 Magazine, Northwest Yachting Magazine, and more. She is a member of North American Travel Journalists (NATJA) and the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

Meet Emily and purchase a signed copy of her latest book right here at the Seaport on Thursday, Oct. 24th from 6-8pm! Stay tuned to hear more about our other panelists who will be accompanying her at the launch! 🙌

Don't forget to RSVP to our page down below!

Tacoma’s Tall Ship | Book Launch featuring Emily Molina