09/29 - 10/01 - Stuart Island, San Juan Islands WA

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 5:47 pm Post subject:

You lucky dogs! We would love to be there, but we are on this little cruise of our own - on the Mississippi right now, turning up the Ohio tomorrow. Not sure where we will be on the Stuart Island CBGT weekend, but we will be thinking of you guys!

Brewkid · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:43 am Post subject:

Looks like work has other plans for me...Flying to Florida to pick up a couple planes, so no weekend trip for us ...Hope everyone has a great trip!

John
Scallywag

Anita Marie · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:19 am Post subject:

Sorry you guys can't make it.

Anita Marie · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 11:10 am Post subject:

The gathering is getting close. Robbin and I will be leaving Thursday to reserve and set up the campsite #4 at Prevost Harbor.

-We were hoping since there is no garbage cans that we could forgo all the plastic and paper products so to reduce the amount of garbage we produce.
-We will pickup some muffins for breakfast for Saturday morning.
-We will also make a big pot of beef stew and good bread to go along with it for the Saturday night potluck.
-We will bring as much dry firewood as possible. I hope some others can also bring some. I cam supply as much dry firewood if anyone is interested. They will need to stop by our house before we leave.

We are looking forward to this gathering. Hope as many people as possible can stop by, it should be fun.

Fred and Robbin

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:42 pm Post subject:

Well now, it turns out that the gravel parking lot at B'ham is being turned into a road so they don't allow long term truck/trailer parking anymore. They said that they have been working with some other marina and that I may be able to leave the trailer at that place and the truck at Bellingham but that doesn't sound like fun to me.

John f says he has taken to sling launching at Anacortes and has good luck with that, so I guess that's an option. I have some easy parking options at Port Angeles but am leery of counting on weather both ways for the crossing.

I liked Bellingham because it was so easy and cheap. Any other suggestions?

Salmon Fisher · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:55 pm Post subject:

I believe that you can leave your rig and trailer in the B'Ham main parking lot for up to 5 days. Beyond that I don't know. Maybe on street parking?

-Be prepared for hornets at Stuart. We spent the weekend at Deer Harbor and they were out looking for water and were hungry for any meat they smelled.

-Jones Island's water was turned off due to vandals. Could we check to see if Stuart's system is up and running, still?
-Hoping we get more rain so we can have a nice campfire.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 1:03 pm Post subject:

Fred,

This gathering sounds like a great time but unfortunately Caryn and I had prior plans so we will be unable to attend. Here's wishing a great time for all!

Anita Marie · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 1:38 pm Post subject:

Hi Peter, sorry you guys will not be able to come. Hope to see you guys soon.

Fred

localboy · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:37 pm Post subject:

As of now I will be solo. Meredith did get Friday covered but no one would help her out for her Saturday shift in the OR. I will make my grand-ma's Portuguese bean soup. Hardy and great for cold weather.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:41 pm Post subject:

localboy · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:50 pm Post subject:

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 3:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks Pat! Didn't even know about that one.

I just called up there and the guy says no problem leaving the truck and trailer in their lot for as long as we need. I didn't ask about parking cost but the launch fee is cheap and it is actually an easier drive than getting to the water in B'ham. The young man on the phone says that by the time we deal with the traffic going from the freeway to Squalicum we would already be at their place. I sensed a little friendly competition there.

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 5:24 pm Post subject:

So at Bellingham, what is long term parking? How many days? We are planning of 4 days.

Blaine harbor. We used this ramp for the Powell river gathering and it worked out nice. you do have to watch the tides. its not a good ramp on a really low tide. ( just checked and its really good tides that weekend. ) Free parking for up to five days but you may want to talk to the harbor master for more then that. We spent one night tied to the visitor dock. Nice bath room and good side tie. Gated and guarded. Just watch your deep around the marina and as you enter and leave the bay. Lots of flats so you want to stay in the marked channels.

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 5:36 pm Post subject:

Just did the math. Blaine to Stewart is 30.33 and from Bellingham it's 39.63

Only real difference would be weather. Lots of open water with seas on your beam from Blaine.

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 7:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Tom. I looked back over old threads for info about Blaine and found quite a bit - a lot of it from you. Thanks for that, too.

The guy on the phone said 5 days max for Bellingham but we might be able to find a place to park the trailer at another location for longer (one was Hilton something and I forget the other) and park the truck at Squalicum. I have no interest in that.

The guy at Blaine said two weeks parking no problem, I did not ask about longer. Parking is free with $7.50 launch.

Anacortes is $5/day parking and $54 round trip sling launch.

The feeling I got while talking to the two places was that Blaine and B'ham both want the business. Maybe if enough people protest the lack of longer parking at B'ham they will find a way to offer it again. The guy at Blaine said they are really having their problems at the other port. The gravel lot is being turned into a road for a ramp to launch "huge aluminum boats". I think the folks in the marina office at B'ham really wish they could allow the parking.

I still might go to Port Angeles to launch. Blaine has the Strait of Georgia; PA has the Strait of Jaun de Fuca. Which one is least likely to be a problem? I know, I know - I should be more concerned about the Wallas stove giving out this time of year, but sometimes I get a little worried and Lois gets downright scared.