Chasing down a moving Tall Ship is apparently a tough thing to do.

Photographer Joe Barrentine and I learned that the hard way today.

Our assignment seemed relatively simple: Go to Port Angeles, catch the crews shortly after they cleared customs, talk to some of the kids about the Youth on Board program and put together something for tomorrow’s paper. My job was to write the words; Joe was shooting stills and a video.

The problems started about as soon as we left Tacoma. The contacts I had on the three ships we were chasing didn’t pick up. No problem, I figured. We’d get to Port Angeles and meet up then.

Joe and I make a Starbucks our home base in Port Angeles. I got in contact with the captain of one of the boats. If we can meet them in an hour, he said, we could hop aboard and talk to the Youth on Board kids. The ship’s docked in Union Wharf, he said.

That’s in Port Townsend.

Joe and I pack up in a hurry and head back east. We were rushing against a tight deadline, and it seemed all of Jefferson County decided driving 10 mph under the speed limit on a highway was a good idea.

As we pull into Port Townsend, I receive a voicemail. (Not a call, mind you, but just a voicemail.) The captain of one of the boats said that the three ships have just left Port Townsend and were heading toward Dockton.

That’s on Maury Island.

The fastest way to Dockton? Back to Tacoma to catch the ferry to Vashon Island at Point Defiance Park. My bosses will love seeing a 240-mile commute to the park on my expense report.

But we made the trip, caught the ferry to Vashon Island and headed toward Dockton. We got out at the park, and there was nary a Tall Ship to be seen. I called another one of the captains. He said the wind hasn’t been great, and they want to make it as far as Port Madison tonight.

That’s on Bainbridge Island.

And even if we had met up with them, the ships were going to anchor down at sea. The best we could do is stand at the dock and wave.

So Joe and I are sitting in my car awaiting the ferry off Vashon Island. By the time I drop him off, I’ll log almost 300 miles. Joe shot one photo. I’ve written nothing of substance.

Not a bad day at the office.

Joe and I arrived in Port Angeles to find out the Tall Ships had cleared customs early and sailed to Port Townsend.

As we were driving into Port Townsend, we got a call that the ships we were seeking had decided to head toward Vashon Island.

So we're heading back to Point Defiance to catch the Vashon ferry.

I've received several calls about this. Seriously, are even the petty criminals getting in the Tall Ships mood?

(Pic taken outside Commencement Bay Coffee Company)

We're hitting the road today. Photog Joe Barrentine and I are heading to Port Townsend and/or Port Angeles; basically, we're going wherever we can find some decent Tall Ships stories.

I'll be posting throughout the day.