Frequent Sea underway

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:07 am Post subject: Frequent Sea underway

Well, we've been spotted on I 5 near Bellingham, so our whereabouts is known. Nice to get a phone call from "DayDream" saying that they had just passed us in their van!

We left home about 11 days ago, and have been going almost non stop. Accomidations have varied from Motel 6 to mansions belonging to our friends, including sleeping on the floor at my daughter's house (I told her to add a 4th bed room!) The most comfortable bed is the C Dory 25, which has been our quarters in RV parks for the last 5 nights. We have spotted two other C Dories going the opposite way, and several RV park patrons or owners have said they saw a C Dory a day or two ago Tonight we are in Bellingham RV park, and Jeff Messinger's Uncle is in an RV near us--he had never seen a C Dory before!

Tomarrow we will pick up a few charts and books, and head for PR. So far the Ford Excursion has been a great tow vehicle. (we towed the C Dory 25 across the country a couple of years ago, but used a 30 foot RV last year). The 7.3 diesel pulls much better than a gas engine, and we have keep our speed up to 50 to 55 even on the high passes (unless we get stuck behind a slower vehicle).

This will probably be our last trip to AK (we spent 3 years cruising AK in our Cal 46 in the 90's)--due to health and age. Frequent Sea will be turned over to her new owners at Lake Powell in a short time. We truely love the C Dory 25 and feel that for a trailerable cruiser it is tops. The 22 has considerably less room (for us) and the Tom Cat 255 is considerably heavier to tow. Of course each boat is a compromise.

We will update as we get internet access.

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:14 am Post subject:

Bob,

If you make it a true Alaska trip you could stop by our house (excellent beds) which is on the beach of Cook Inlet 2 miles south of Ninilchik, Alaska.

Have a safe and great trip.

Today I parted with my 1983 Classic. I almost shed a tear as it rolled out of the yard behind someone elses truck. I ran that boat for 26 summers and a lot of miles, memories and fun.
I know what you will be going through when you part with Frequent Sea.

toyman · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

I (we - Jan & I) so envy you !

Keep us along as you travel, and above all.... ENJOY !

sportner · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:55 am Post subject:

Bob,
We look forward to your posts and wish you and Marie safe passage and many good times.

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject:

We had to stop at a RV park with internet connections!. This AM we went looking to the Douglas book on AK, a few charts and a MilePost. West Marine in Bellingham had 6 Mid Atlantic Cruising Guides, and one on Tahiti, but not one on AK. However the associate sent us on down to LFS (?)--and of course they had everything we wanted. The MilePost was at Barnes and Noble, and we were underway by 11 Am (After the obligatory stock up at Wally World).

The Canadian Crossing--3 cars and one RV ahead of us. Asked us where the liceense plate for the vehicle was from, and looked at our passports--the usual question about weapons--but none about alcohol, food etc. Fast and easy--looking at the US side, I suspect that we were going to see a different story. Jeff Messmer's uncle's VW van was searched for 45 minutes (including X ray) yesterday when then come into the US).

Fuel seems to be about .99 Canadian/liter for gas, and .86 for diesel. (at least so far).

Stats on the truck towing: 10.9 miles a gallon over 1200 miles averaging about 55 mph. The truck non towing was getting about 19.5 miles a gallon. This is about what we expected--and far better than the RV Which was down to about 6 miles per gallon last summer when towing the C Dory 25.

The best part of the drive today was up the Fraiser River--Highway 1. Beautiful day, with sunshine. Temp was in the 80's. We saw several batches of river rafters, and the rapids were up, with a high river flow. Even wondered how it would be doing it in the C Dory?

We had a wolf run right in front of the truck. Spooked Marie a bit since she was driving. Rest stops were a bit more primative than on our interstates, but adequate. There is also some type of motorcycle rally--and there were hundreds of bikers at Cache Creek. The one obstruction which gave us some pause, were the bicycles. Some folks tried for the shoulder--but one group of three were right in the middle of the road in one of the tunnels....

I even though of Roger Rockwell, when we came upon a lone rider of a 90 CC bike--he had his gear on the back and pulled over onto the shoulder when we came up behind (didn't see any 3 legged dogs though--yet).

Tomarrow should put us at the 2/3 mark for Prince Rupert and hopefully a lanuch at high tide on Tuesday.

No telling when the next internet, but we will try and keep in touch.

Hunkydory · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:53 am Post subject:

Bob

Just enjoy and if possible keep sharing with all of us. Found your report on todays land travels very interesting. Know that stretch of the road from the border to Prince Rupert very well and liked seeing the stretch along the Fraiser River again through your eyes and perpective. Know what you mean about the bicycles too. That's one of the few things I don't care for in Yellowstone Park. Narrow roads with no shoulders, oversized RV's and non-thinking bicycler's is not a good or safe mix and just about no matter what if you hit one it's your fault.

Seen bear in that stretch you drove today, but never a wolf.

Sounds about right for milage. With our duramax duelly towing the CD 22 we would average about 15 at that speed and empty near the same as you.

Most always found the lowest price diesel in Prince George at the Continental Shell station on the right side of the road off HY 97 very close to where it meets HY 16. I believe it was .81 a liter there last week on gasbuddy.com and gas was a dollar or better. Nice to have the break back near like what it used to be for diesel.

Like many others we'er sure looking forward to you sharing the rest of this trip and cruise.

Jay

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 3:27 am Post subject:

Dr. Bob
I just came that way with my ProAngler on our way home to Alaska in mid-April. Several Canadian C-Brats "accosted" me along the way. That was fun.

You were seen by other C-Brats I know. There is no hiding from them.

Have a great trip and be safe. Keep the rest of us "knowed up" (an oilfield term) of your travels.

Jack

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject:

Several "C Brat type encounters today. The RV next to us had fished in a 25 out of Prince William Sound for a number of years (didn't remember the boat name, but the owner now has a 46 foot Bayliner.) Earlier a fellow at a gas station commented that "The same boat as "River Horse" was what we were trailering. At the same station, there was a fellow about my age driving a Honda Trike, with an 1800 CC (all custom built)--who was familiar with the C Dories, and who I am quite sure I met during my racing days when we both lived in Long Beach. Great Ice breakers!

I mentioned the "Mile Post" for those who do not know about this publication, it is a Wagoneers for the road, or cruising road guide, which lists each feature of the roads to Alaksa and through BC. It also has some information on the towns on the Marine highway. Essential for driving up this way.

We are about 330 miles from PR tonight. I doubt that we will launch tomarrow, but probably will wait until Tues PM (want to launch near high tide, with the steep ramp)--and allow enough time to park the truck. Weather is only fair for Dixon crossing on Wed, but with an early start, we should make it easily to Dundas Island or Foggy Bay, if it is a bit lumpy.

Today we did see deer, but no bears. Also horseback riders seemed as popular as the bicyclists in the valleys. Also lots of Harley riders--not sure where they are going. There is a cyclist camped next to us. He is making about 40 to 50 miles a day, towing a small trailer. The hot weather is beating him up. We suspect it will cool off--at least as we get to the coast.

Thanks for the comments. Hope to see some of the C Brats as we get up into AK. I'll have to look at the map and see who is where...We should be in Ketchikan at least by Thursday and Friday, and then up to Myers Chuck. Haven't sorted out the rest of the route, but it depends on the weather (and if we can catch any fish)--still looking foreward to our favorite halibut hole where we always limited out in the past--but no freezer on this boat! Thus only enough to eat will be taken....

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:14 am Post subject:

Dr Bob,
That section of hiway from Hope to Prince Rupert is about my most favorite section of Canadian hiway. Love the Fraser canyon. Thanks for the post and the jog down memory lane. 'Cheery O' to Burns lake on the way through. Sounds like you are off onto my dream vacation, so enjoy and post when you can. And when you can't, enjoy the fishing. Good luck on the hali hole.

Safe travels, soft breezes and friendly wakes to you both.

Harvey
SleepyC

thataway · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:40 am Post subject:

Less than 90 miles to splash, and surrounded by high snow capped mountains. The 9:00 PM train came by (hopefully the last for the evening--since the horn is deployed right about when the train is by the campsite).

Today was very lazy--lots of stops and photo taking. Spetacular scenery. After in the Campsite; C Dory tours to be given to other travelers. May have even found a convert or two...

Dinner at a pub with fresh Halibut and a good draft! Up here they even identify us as "yankees' by our acents!

We put the good cooler in the boat, switched the sirius over and all of the food and gear in stowed and ready to go.

One other trick we do, is to have the batteries of the boat charging from the truck alternator. This keeps the refigerator batteries topped off, and we don't have to worry about charging at the campsite if we don't want to.

Also I down loaded two tide and current programs on the net book and on my I touch. Top off the boat gas tank in PR and off we go.

dotnmarty · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

We did the PR to Skagway (and back) cruise last week on the Norwegian Star. The weather was 72 and sunny with calm/slight seas every day. Here's hoping you enjoy the same weather.

thataway · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:40 pm Post subject:

WI FI thanks to Prince Rupert YC. Frequent Sea still floats, and the engine still runs! It is 60 degrees outside at 8:30 PM (of course the sun is still high!). We launched at mid rising tide and no problems with the ramp. I want to warn folks about the storage issue. The Four Seasons group across from Petro Canada is fine, and I went with them, becauase I felt obligated by the time that finances came around. HOWEVER...The fee is $3.00 a foot a month--with mininium of 3 months. Either that or $10 a day for each rig (truck and trailer) or $600 a month! The "free" trip to the YC is $20. So the information I recieved was a little misleading. It may be a good deal if you are going to stay for 3 months--but not if you are going to stay for a month--so call around and check out other options before commiting on one storage area. Also for very short term folks were parking nice trialers and trucks at the ramp parking area. I asked several locals and they felt that it was reasonably secure. We think that someone siphoned about 5 to 6 gallons of diesel out of my truck yesterday or last PM--we had filled up--and driven about 4 miles--the guage was full last night. Yesterday after parking for about an hour in a lot, we came out and the fuel door was open and the cap was off. I am sure it was put on when we had fueled up. So perhaps a locking fuel cap would be a good idea in this part of the world.

We head out for Ketchican in the AM--winds seem like they will be down early and we should make it in 4 to 5 hours. It was nearly 80 degrees in the sun and 72 in the shade in PR today. Doesn't get any better than that.

The road from Terrace had a bit of work being done, but no delays more than 15 minutes. In general the roads to Prince Rupert are better than many in Calif. Not a problem driving up here. The steepest grade we have found was 8 degrees, and not a problem going up or down.

So tomarrow we will enter the land of "Cruise liners"...

Wefings · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:45 am Post subject:

Bob and Marie , have a great trip! Sounds great for the both of you tireless wanderers. We will keep Florida going as best we can while you are gone ! Eat some Salmon and Crab for us !I look forward to the travel log .
Marc

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:13 am Post subject:

Have a great time in Alaska!

Knotty C · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject: