The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

El and Bill":3j0kjb0w said:
Good on ya, guys -- what a great way to spend the summer. Looks like we'll have to plan another trip up to Yellowstone this summer. Seems like an ideal 'job' for the two of you, and lots of free time together to share Yellowstone -- marvelous! We look forward to hearing about your experiences.
Click to expand...

It would be a treat to see you two again! Brent and Dixie have said they are coming up. We already know our way around Yellowstone and would enjoy sharing experiences with our C-Brat friends. With your love of geology, you cold teach us plenty about what we're seeing. I'm sure you know this, but over half of the world's geothermal features are in Yellowstone, and the caldera that is under the lake is still considered an active volcano. The lake doesn't have the amazing canyons, coves and cliffs of Lake Powell, but the beauty and variety in the rest of the park make for some spectacular land exploring.

We had a good time with Wild Blue on Lake Yellowstone when we visited last summer... and it was less expensive to stay in the marina than in the full hook-up campground at Fishing Bridge. :D Sleep on the boat, take a morning cruise, then go touring with the truck. Repeat. One could cover much of the lake and shoreline in a few days, but that would barely be scratching the surface of all that Yellowstone has to offer.

Will you two be basing your summer travels out of Colorado?

Best wishes,
Jim

PS - Barry mentioned that 4 letter "s" word (snow). We know that is possible any month at that high altitude. For sure, it will be cooler than latitude 26 at sea level. :wink:
 
Jim, Joan and Molly,
That sounds like a wonderful summer project. What does Molly, think about this venture? Is she going to spend the majority of her time with Joan or is she going to "wow" all the passengers on the boat with Jim?

Every time I think about the Yellowstone Marina, my thoughts go back to the summer of 2002, when we traveled back to Montana for one of my high school class reunions. On our way home we toured Yellowstone as Jessica had never been there. We stopped at the marina, and Jessica and I walked out to the boat slips to see if there were any C-Dorys there (there were none). On our way back towards the launch ramp, a very attractive lady wearing extremely tight and short shorts as well as a tiny halter top, walked across the ramp in front of us with her high heels on. Jessica (who was eleven years old then) caught me looking (ok staring.... :mrgreen: ) at her and hauled off and smacked me in the stomach. I had to chuckle as it demonstrated to me how protective she was of Carol. (My reply to Jessica was...."what do you expect me to do?")
 
Hi Dave,

We told Molly about the upcoming plans. She remembers the great docks there and the nice folks who wanted to pet her while walking around. So far, she seems pretty good with the idea.

A bit of advice for the next time you get caught looking... "I was just thinking about how good that outfit would look on your Mother!" (or: "... on you" if Carol is the one who catches you. ) Um, maybe I shoulda put that in a PM. :wink:

There are many beautiful things to see in YNP - I don't recall seeing anything like what you saw there, but I'll keep an eye out. Thanks for the heads-up.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
After reading the Springtime in the NW thread, I thought some of you could use some sunshine.

We have been out and about on Wild Blue most days, but we're about to take a break. Tomorrow we will pull her out for a couple weeks; we are heading to the desert (Phoenix) to visit our daughter and son-in-law in a couple days. With lots to get done before we go, we decided to make today's trip a sunrise cruise.

Here's a look at the sun just coming up as we ran down the ship channel...

SunriseE1.sized.jpg

And then a few mintues later, looking out to the Gulf...

SunriseE2.sized.jpg

No "photoshopping" done to either of the above, just beautiful warm colors. It was already 70º at 7:00.

With the other recent thread on "Fun with Photoshop", thought I'd toss in a before and after with a shot of a bayshrimper from this morning...

Before:
BeforeE.sized.jpg

After:
BayShrimperARTe.sized.jpg


Just so you don't think we lounge in the sun all day, I finished up the last of the SunCat-going-away chores. The spare tire kept losing air, so I took it in once again to be repaired. They "fixed" it 4 times and finally declared the tire "unfixable." It had a slow leak, by the time the tire shop was done with it, it was a very fast leak. Of course, they didn't have a tire that size in stock. We drove to a boat dealer who did have one, negotiated a good price, then took it to a nearby LLLantera who swapped it out for me for $4. Back at home, I spent a couple hours putting a last coat of wax on the SunCat - want her to look pretty when she leaves home.

Tomorrow, it's Wild Blue's turn for a "spa day."

Hope your days are filled with warmth (even if Mother Nature doesn't provide it).

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Well, it's been a couple weeks since we've seen Wild Blue. We've been in Arizona, getting our daughter through her tonsillectomy... not a fun situation for an adult, but she has been a trooper. We are now on our way back to the Tropical Tip. Coming back with us, is the newest addition to our travels, a toy-hauler... it will also be our "home" while we're in Yellowstone this summer. We've decided to leave Wild Blue home and will be "living on land" for the summer months (but, working on water :D ).

I wanted to take Wild Blue to live on, Joan wanted to get a small RV... after a great deal of discussion, we compromised... and are doing it her way. :? (You married guys will understand this version of "compromise".) After spending a couple nights in it, I have to agree that it will be a good solution for the summer.

OutToyHaulerE.jpg

InToyHaulerE.jpg

We should be home in a couple days; first order of business will be to get Wild Blue back in the water.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Hey Jim,

Why a toy hauler? Whatcha going to put in the back or is this just extra room for Molly? Could of put the catboat in there but I think you sold it.

I expect your summer job is going to be a lot of fun.

Steve
 
Jim

Congratulations on your upcoming summer job. Know you will love it.

After watching the Queen or the Queen 11 make its runs since I believe 1971 or at least as far back as I can remember during that time, we enjoyed our first ride on it two years ago. Got to know one of the then Captains fairly well and after taking him out on the Hunkydory He returned the favor by obtaining a free ride for Jo-Lee and I. Even with all the boating time we have spent on the lake it was still a great ride and one I would highly recommend for any one planning on visiting Yellowstone park.

We seldom miss the opening and closing of Bridge Bay Marina. Last year we were in Alaska for the opening, but made it for the last week. Plan to be there this year for Memorial Weekend and the following week for a start. Don't believe the Queen is in operation quite that early, but if it is and you and Joan are there will be looking forward to meeting you.

As I stated on the thread I started having to do with favorite places, Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake is our favorite place and like a second home to us. Out of the last 37 years can't remember a year we missed staying either at the campground, the marina or out on the lake. In our opinion you couldn't have found a better summer job and area to be. The Queen is like a magnet to my eyes when ever it enters or exits the Marina or we pass it on the lake.

Looking forward to meeting Joan, Molly and you this summer,

Jay
 
Two reasons for the toy hauler: seemed overbuilt compared to a small travel trailer and there is room for a motorcycle. :D And with the bed that pulls down, there is a LOT of storage. A bit more utilitarian, and adaptable. Sounds a lot like a C-Dory, huh? :wink:

Jay and Jolee: I was hoping we'd get the chance to meet face-to-face! We'll look forward to it.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
We put Wild Blue back in the water on Monday... been on it each day since then. At the end of next week, we'll pull her out of the water, clean her up nice and pretty, and put her in storage for the summer. While we're excited about this next adventure, leaving Wild Blue behind is going to be tough. In the meantime, I'll be getting as much boat time in as possible before we head out.

Tuesday morning, we left before sunrise. Joan baked some strawberry muffins while I got the boat ready. I saw on TV that gas prices were expected to rise 15¢ in the Valley today, so we stopped at the fuel dock as soon as we left our canal. $3.39 for unleaded on the water. I put in $100 worth of fuel, got 29.4 gallons... about 2.5 gallons less than the same expenditure a few weeks ago. With what we have onboard, it should hold us for a while.

Leaving the fuel dock, we turned west in the ICW and headed for the ship channel. I ran the boat at 1800 RPMs, making 5.5-6 knots and burning just under 1 gallon per hour; a comfortable pace in the early morning light. It was 74º, mostly clear sky, we had the windows open to enjoy the breeze and the smells. We ate our muffins, watched for dolphins, and waved at the bay shrimpers as we passed them.

BayShrimperE_002.jpg

Looking east...

SunriseE.jpg

Dolphin in the early light...

DolphinE_001.jpg

Into the jetties, I pushed the throttle forward to 4,000 RPM and we ran out into the Gulf. We could make out the hazy outline of a ship in the distance, but that was the only other boat out there. The wind was light, so not much wave action, but there were some sizeable swells. Coming back in, we rode an 8-10 foot swell all the way to the jetties, keeping the throttle set to keep us on top of the swell - so this is the view from a fly bridge!

Back into the Laguna, we passed a couple excursion fishing boats heading out as we came in. We turned north and ran as far as the causeway, and watched more dolphins playing by the footings... they were working together, herding fish.

Here's a look back towards the lighthouse...

PortIsabelE.jpg

Then we had to decide: come back in through the swingbridge or take the long way around? Yeah, the long way.

We passed a couple barges and more bay shrimpers on the way. Then, into our canal and back to our dock. It was a great day on the water... especially after three weeks in the desert. Joan has lots of "projects" to get done before we head out, but I plan to spend as much time as possible with Wild Blue.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Tuesday morning, we left before sunrise. Joan baked some strawberry muffins while I got the boat ready. I saw on TV that gas prices were expected to rise 15¢ in the Valley today, so we stopped at the fuel dock as soon as we left our canal. $3.39 for unleaded on the water. I put in $100 worth of fuel, got 29.4 gallons... about 2.5 gallons less than the same expenditure a few weeks ago. With what we have onboard, it should hold us for a while.
Click to expand...
Jim its good to see you still getting out and using Wild Blue even with the "high" gas prices. Pump price up here in Vancouver is $1.25 per litre. That's about $4.75/Gal. I'm definitely going to top up the tank on Meander with some "inexpensive marina fuel when I get down to Friday Harbor for the CBGT in May. :lol:
Love seeing your pictures and look forward to seeing many more of Jellystone Park this summer.
Enjoy
Ron
 
Tuesday, April 29th. We have spent some portion of each day on the boat since we put her back in. Today could rate right up there with one of the best boating days of the spring season so far - the weather was absolutely perfect: clear and sunny, high in the upper 70s, low humidity, and a nice breeze. We ran north in the ICW where we saw dolphins and a couple good size Kemp-Ridley turtles. We shared the channel with a Coast Guard tug and barge after we turned back south.

PanE.sized.jpg

ShipE_001.sized.jpg

We motored through the southern Laguna, made our way into the jetties, and anchored in Barracuda Cove. We set up the chairs in the cockpit, and sat back to enjoy the beautiful weather and the ever-changing water scenes. The ship in the photo above came in mid-afternoon; it seemed to be sporting a fresh paint job, and glowed in the afternoon light.

CockpitTimeE.sized.jpg

We watched a couple Coast Guard small boats do some exercises - chasing each other, towing, etc. I’m sure they were enjoying the day as much as everyone else that was out on the water.

CGExerciseE.sized.jpg

We got some sunshine, I took a short nap... nice! When we decided to pull the anchor up, we poked our nose out into the Gulf. Check out the deep blue color!

GulfE_002.sized.jpg

We are getting short on our time here - only three more days before we pull the boat out, then a few more to get it cleaned and put away and the RV loaded before we head north. I really needed a day like today!

--------------------
Candy Ass... I have been checking weather daily for Yellowstone - it’s still cold and occasionally snowy there. Today the high was in the low 30s, the low was 12º, and they were expecting 6 to 8 inches of snow. Things are gonna have to get a lot better in the next three weeks!

Yesterday when I got up, I stepped out onto the deck and said, “Dang, it’s cold out here!” It was 60º.

--------------------------
Molly, Do You Want To Go Out On The Boat With Us? Here’s the shot... what do you think?

MollyE.sized.jpg

I put this one in for the Captain Jim/Molly fans. :D

Tick, tick, tick.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
We're going to have to send some Brats to Yellowstone to give you C-Dory fixes. I can't see you getting through the summer without one! :mrgreen:

Warren
 
Doryman":33abx6n1 said:
We're going to have to send some Brats to Yellowstone to give you C-Dory fixes. I can't see you getting through the summer without one! :mrgreen:

Warren
Click to expand...

Jay and Jolee said they'd be there some time during the season. Same with Brent and Dixie. And when we were there last summer, there was a Ranger 21 tug in the marina. Of course, it won't be like I won't be boating... it will just be on a schedule, with someone else buying the fuel. 8) But it would be fun to meet up with any Brats vacationing or passing through.

The marina manager called me a couple days ago; asked if I'd be interested in doing any fishing charters. I had to tell him that I would be totally out of my element, since I don't fish. Anyone looking for a summer job that would pay them to fish? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Bear Lake which is close to where we live and not all that far south from Yellowstone still has ice coverage remaining longer than anytime in the last 30 years. On a normal Memorial Weekend Year we have had to push through ice to get out of Bridge Bay Marina to the open Lake and have often encountered blizzard conditions on the lake in late May and very early June. On colder years the ice can still be thick especially when Memorial Weekend falls a little earlier. Yep Jim you're headed toward drastic change. On the up side (perhaps Joan & Molly won't think its very far up) its a time when the bears are likely to be seen along Yellowstone river feeding on buffalo that have fallen through the ice and drowned. All the young will be along shortly with a unbelievable display of spring flowers shortly after.

Jay
 
Hunkydory":nugphin8 said:
On colder years the ice can still be thick especially when Memorial Weekend falls a little earlier. Yep Jim you're headed toward drastic change.
Jay
Click to expand...

Jay, I'm thinking that the more ice the better.....just think of what kind of script will arise in the comic strip about Capt. Jim...... "Capt. Jim Cruises On An Ice Covered Lake"..... :mrgreen:
 
I think one panel of the comic would have all three, Jim, Joan, and Molly all in the same position as that last picture of Molly, not wanting to get out of bed and face the cold!

Steve
 
<<I think one panel of the comic would have all three, Jim, Joan, and Molly all in the same position as that last picture of Molly, not wanting to get out of bed and face the cold!>>

And then once they get on the boat, they turn on the wallas and they're good to go! Cat and all.
 
We had a little drama around our place today, and it involved Molly. I was waxing the cabintop on the boat, Joan was cleaning the grill (we are getting ready to head out); Molly was stalking a seagull who was perched on our neighbor's boat lift.

I said, "Listen for the splash."

Joan said, "She's too smart for that."

SPLASH!

Guess not. Joan got to her first and hauled her out by the scruff of her neck.

Yes, cats can swim.

Molly got a small cut on her leg from an oyster shell. She is staying close to Joan tonight. She had a tough day.
 
Back
Top