SEATTLE - Gray skies and occasional drizzle didn't stop thousands of people from taking part in an annual Seattle tradition Saturday - the opening day of boating season.

Some were lined up along the banks of Lake Washington. Others waited along the shoreline to watch the parade of boats and the crew races. Some camped out overnight along the Montlake Cut..

And of course many others were out in their boats, cruising under those steely skies or tied up along the log boom.

Susan Kruller of the Seattle Yacht Club said, "It's all coming together, it's fun for the public. Anybody can come along the shorelines and bring their boat. It's probably the biggest part as far as the public is concerned - for free - in Seattle."

One of those on shore watching the spectacle was Elizabeth Gilham.

"We had to convert a garbage bag to stay dry but we did, we're dry. We're warm," she said.

Ben May, who just moved here from North Carolina, came to watch, too.

"I've never been to a crew event," he said. ... It's just neat to see all these people out here supporting it. ... It had sort of a football environment with the band out here."

And with it all came the promise, that some day, maybe soon, they'd be back out here in the sunshine.