June cruise to Ketchikan from Anacortes

gismo, a C-Dory 16 will be taking the Ferry from Prince Ruppert to Ketch and on to Hollis June 15, will on Prince of Wales for 4 weeks. I will launch in Craig and explore the area. Will cross Sumner Stra. on July 5 to Cape Decision Light. Hope to see another Dory around.
 
David,

What's stopping you from going this year? We might have a hard time keeping up with that new boat of yours, but come along anyway! We can talk at Lopez!

Don and Dee
 
Last summer, we were over three months on our cruise north to Alaska. Our departure this year will be somewhat later due to circumstances we couldn't avoid. With luck, we will be launching in WA in three weeks or so and cruise BC until the end of July. We'll probably be seeing many of you Alaska bound folks as you travel northerly and look forward to some shared sundowners in the cockpit.
 
GOOD to see you posting, Bill! Take it easy for a LITTLE while for crying out loud! El - make him take it easy for a few days at least!

El and Bill":1aka2qcd said:
Last summer, we were over three months on our cruise north to Alaska. Our departure this year will be somewhat later due to circumstances we couldn't avoid. With luck, we will be launching in WA in three weeks or so and cruise BC until the end of July. We'll probably be seeing many of you Alaska bound folks as you travel northerly and look forward to some shared sundowners in the cockpit.
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Bill Said
With luck, we will be launching in WA in three weeks or so and cruise BC until the end of July.
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Hey you two, remember I have something at the house for you. Let us know when you will be in the neighborhood.

David and Kate
 
I've delayed writing this for some time now, still too emotional I guess. I decided to cancel out plans to trailer up to PR and cruise SE Alaska this summer. I've actually made steady progress towards the goal; boat, trailer and tow vehicle maintenance nearly done, charts and guides purchased and studied, itinerary worked out, passport ordered, etc, etc.

The problems and risks though of making such a trip on a tight schedule (3 weeks) became overwhelming. 4-5 days each way on asphalt, that's nearly 1/2 of our time -- I know, I know, beautiful country and scenary which is all good, but misses the primary purpose of the trip to see, feel, enjoy and take in SE Alaska.

A main goal, possibly unrealistic, was to see our first tidal glacier or at least some good sized bergs up close and personal. I'd have 6 days to get there by water and 6 days to return. 1-2 days from PR to Ketchikan, then to Meyers Chuck, Wrangle, possibly Petersburg and over to Le Conte Glacier arm. Traveling 50-80 or more miles/day isn't my idea of 'taking in and enjoying' the trip! Just going up to fish, enjoy a few local towns and not see a berg/glacier was, in my opinion (and my son's), not worth the drive up, cost and effort of the trip. Another week would have made the difference.

So we looked into cruises. Amazing, a 10 day SE Alaska cruise cost the two of us just about the same as the cost of gas and a few meals! Then the clincher...my wife said "If you're going to take a cruise, I'll go too!" Hmmm, now how on earth do you turn THAT down? And, the 3rd person was a 1/2 price fare to boot. Our Princess cruise leaves San Francisco July 10th, visits Victoria, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord and returns July 20th.

So, sadly, I'm going to have to call this trip our "scouting" cruise for now. I still plan on making the trip, but only when I can devote 4 weeks or more (...retirement comes to mind...). So you other folks going have an enjoyable and safe trip, I'll keep a lookout for C-Dory's, and if you see a big white ship bearing down on you -- wave (your hand)! And to El and Bill for your advice on the trip(s), a big thank you.
 
Steve - Patty was saying pretty much the same thing...she wants to see a glacier and would be happy seeing it from a cruise ship. I would MUCH rather see it from Daydream, but for the same time constraint reasons, that is not likely for a few more years, so if she goes on an Alaskan cruise, I guess I will tag along.
 
Steve-

If it will make you feel better about the whole thing, I'll tell you that I think you made the right decision considering the time constraints.

I'd never want to race through that kind of beautiful country and turn a great experience into a blurred memory.

And the cruise shssip thing can be fun, too, if in a somewhat different way.

When we all get old enough (some of us are already there!), maybe we can have a C-Brat Get Together on a cruise ship headed for Alaska! Would be a great fun experience and fit into time schedules pretty easily!

Joe.
 
Gene & I are bound for WA June 1st. We'll launch from Blaine WA, Monday June 4th, clear customs in White Rock or Vancouver, then on our way to cruise BC. We will have just over 2 weeks to explore before pulling the plug and heading home. El & Bill, maybe we will cross wakes. I believe our first destination will be Princess Louisa Inlet, then continue up the west coast of BC to Desolation Sound and on to the Broughtons. No set itinerery. Hope to see other C-Brats on the way. With any luck you'll be joining us for a fish dinner.
Margaret & Gene & Dawson
 
Margaret and Gene --

Sure hope we'll cross wakes -- we love fresh fish! and good company. As the time gets closer, we'll be able to share locations on this site and hopefully meet.
 
El & Bill...Looking forward to sharing a moorage. We were your downstairs neighbors at the SBS in January but didn't get to chat much. We could use your cruising expertise as this is our first trip up the inside passage.
Margaret
 
Well thank you Pat and Joe. I feel better already! Seems there are [many] moments in life that you wish you'd done differently and thought you'd get another chance to do it right the next time. Life throws many curves and obstacles as we all know, the future is just too unknown most of the time.

I saw this trip as one of those moments. My son just graduating from high school, and he wanted to do the trip before he gets caught up in work and career. I on the other hand, have a full-time job and many responsibilities including family matters that must be juggled to just stay afloat so to speak. So...I'm really hoping this opportunity comes around again to do the trip with my son (and/or daughter) in my own boat. Who knows...?

Thanks again, I think it was the right decision also, just have to complain a bit.
 
The boat is packed with fishing gear, crab pot, shrimp pots and clam shovel. We start our trek north from Eureka, CA today. We hope to launch in Blaine WA on Sunday June 3. We'll head north and clear customs in White Rock or Vancouver and work our way up to Jervis, Broughtons and Desolation Sound. If you see Reef Madness on the water, give us a wave. We will have the computer with us and try to post along the way. This is our first cruise with the Tom Cat and we are very excited.
Margaret, Gene & Dawson
 
Bon Voyage! Sounds like you've planned well and are well outfitted for the trip. We expect pictures and narrative, nothing less. :smiled Wish I were going to, maybe another time.
 
Sounds great! I imagine a TC255 will not be "slow cruising," and from Blaine to the Sechelt Peninsula at least you might as well put the pedal to the metal, not too much to see - you will be able to cover that about three times quicker than we did last week! From there it gets very interesting, and you want to slow down and smell the coffee! Smuggler Cove, Princess Louisa Inlet, all the marine parks in Desolation Sound (but Von Donop Inlet is still my favorite anchorage there), and the Broughtons - so much to explore, two weeks will barely get you started! We'll be looking for your reports - there is free wireless at Sullivan Bay in the Broughtons, and pretty good ice cream. A data point for you - on returning, you will need to clear customs at Point Roberts, as Blaine is no longer a designated small boat entry point.

Gene Morris":1z1vacw3 said:
The boat is packed with fishing gear, crab pot, shrimp pots and clam shovel. We start our trek north from Eureka, CA today. We hope to launch in Blaine WA on Sunday June 3. We'll head north and clear customs in White Rock or Vancouver and work our way up to Jervis, Broughtons and Desolation Sound. If you see Reef Madness on the water, give us a wave. We will have the computer with us and try to post along the way. This is our first cruise with the Tom Cat and we are very excited.
Margaret, Gene & Dawson
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Update on Margaret & Gene Morris along with Dawson the dog on REEF MADNESS. Launched the TomCat Saturday in Blaine after driving up from Eureka. This morning they loaded up with ice and other goodies in preparation for their journey north. Couldn't have picked a nicer day to begin their boating adventure. Gene will post when he can.

Ruth and Joe
R-Matey
 
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