2024 SE Alaska cruise with 13 year old granddaughter

Hunkydory

With JoLee not feeling up to making this year’s Alaska extended cruise, I was beyond pleasantly surprised to have my granddaughter Wrenny, say she wanted to go & then even more surprised by her parents saying she could. When very young, starting under two, the HunkyDory was her fun place to make pretend with me, while it sat on the trailer in our yard, we were on great adventures with whales about & waves to conquer & much time spent rescuing me in her own method with ropes. Now hoping no rescuing is needed, but her grand adventure will be the real deal. I’m planning on taking her on a highlight tour of SE Alaska, starting with the long road trip to Skagway from Wyoming & then up to a month or more on the water. Wrenny was born here in Wyoming & has spent more time in the back country & around a campfire, then any other young person I’ve known & much of those times were shared with me including many nights aboard the HunkyDory on different lakes, so if any young 13 year old girl is up to such a trip with her old Grandpa it’s her.

She is now out of school for the summer & on a 3 day camping trip with her parents & the day after they return, which is the 28 of May, we plan on departing. The road route to Skagway, Alaska will start here in Cokeville, Wyoming & go north through the Canadian National Parks of Baniff & Jasper, including the world renowned I45 mile Ice Parkway. Then east to Prince George & then after another 300 miles, north the 450 miles through mostly wilderness, the Cassiar Highway from Kitwanga to where it joins the Alaska Highway near Watson Lake in the Yukon. From there it’s another 300 miles to Skagway, approximately 2300 miles total.

She has been at the boat helm for short periods over the last few years & has done some navigating with now being very eager to learn all the boat systems & navigation rules.

It’s possible, she will add some of her thoughts of the trip to my log.

Jay

Water Bill · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 6:54 am Post subject:

What an adventure it will be for Wrenny, a trip she will always remember. I know I will never forget my Alaska voyage with you in 2022. I met Wrenny at Yellowstone and she was fun to be around. Be sure to tell her hi for me. Have a great time.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 9:14 am Post subject:

Jay, I hope you and Wrenny have a wonderful time exploring the SE! Safe travels!

Discovery · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 12:03 pm Post subject:

Jay, you and Wrenny have a wonderful summer in SE Alaska.

We will never forget our summer in 2015 with you and JoLee in SE Alaska.

Da Nag · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 1:08 pm Post subject:

I know you will, but...take and share plenty of pictures!

What a great memory this will be for both of you.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 4:05 pm Post subject:

What a wonderful experience for both of you! The two of you will make memories that will last a lifetime!

You are blessed that she wants to go and has parental permission. I have no doubt that you two will take care of each other.

No Grandkids for us, so I will be following along with great excitement to live vicariously through you on this adventure. Wishing you fun, safe, and memorable travels.

Jim

thataway · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 6:26 pm Post subject:

This is a most wonderful time to have young people come with you. My Friend CA (whose ashes we spread at sea today) took his daughter (then age 13) and one of her 13 year old friends along with his wive sailing around the world in 18 months. My son and daughter were standing watches on our side 62' boat in Europe the Caribbean, Central America, etc when they were 11 to 15 years of age.

It is an age where the kids are receptive to learning everything you can teach them. Have a great time. She and you will never forget this trip!

colbysmith · Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 10:57 pm Post subject:

Such a great experience for your granddaughter, and I'm sure for you to have her along as well. Safe travels Jay!

DayBreak · Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 10:51 am Post subject:

This will be an amazing time for Wrenny to not only see Alaska on a C-Dory but to spend quality time with her Grandpa for the summer. She will learn much and will have great memories of this trip for the rest of her life.

Looks like you will be leaving tomorrow. We hope to hear from Wrenny from all that she sees and experiences in this grand adventure. I understand that she is a good writer. Thanks Jay.

Have a good time and safe travels. Gary

Hunkydory · Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 3:27 pm Post subject:

Bill, I said hi to Wrenny for you. She remembers back fondly to when you served her hot chocolate on your new to you then Ranger Tug at Yellowstone.

Steve, we are looking forward to a wonderful time & will keep safe as possible.

Brent & Dixie, we have been very fortunate to spend such wonderful times with you two at Lake Powell & SE Alaska. They are wonderful memories for us too. Now good you will know just what it’s like, as Wrenny & I make our way through many of the same unique places.

Will, her folks bought her a nice camera, so hopefully between her & me, lots of pictures to share.

Jim, your comments are heart felt & deeply appreciated. I’m very glad to share this adventure with you & Joan in this way.

Bob, I always appreciate your comments & advice. So good to know, how well taking young ones along with you & your friend, worked out, so well.

Colby, thanks for the comment & I appreciate your wish for safe travels for us.

Gary, thanks for the good wishes & we are still planning on leaving in the morning. I don’t know for sure, whether Wrenny will write & share her thoughts on this trip, but I sure hope she will.

All, if interested in where our travels takes us, the Inreach will be left on most all the time, so Wrenny can always text to & from her folks & me, JoLee. It’s the same link as in my post made signature here on C-Brats. Shared below now
https://share.delorme.com/JuliusByers

Jay

Peter & Judy · Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 5:49 pm Post subject:

Jay,

You're a brave man and this should be an adventure of a lifetime. We wish you well. You are welcome to drop by the Buffalo Horn Ranch for a visit on your return journey. When you pass the Columbia Icefields, turn left.

colbysmith · Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 9:34 pm Post subject:

Jay, if you haven't before, take Peter up on his offer. You and your grand daughter would enjoy seeing the buffalo and the operation that Peter use to run!

Hunkydory · Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 10:20 pm Post subject:

Peter & Judy, I much appreciate the invitation & a very inviting one at that, as yes Colby, I’ve no doubt we would very much enjoy the stop. Will keep it on the agenda & see if works out for the return home.

Jay

jkidd · Posted: Wed May 29, 2024 8:22 pm Post subject:

I see you made it to Jasper. My friends that I told you that are headed to the Arctic. Turned onto the Cassiar Highway last night. Have fun and be safe.

Hunkydory · Posted: Wed May 29, 2024 10:18 pm Post subject:

Stopped for night 60 miles passed Jasper.. will start up the Cassiar tommarow. 5 bears today, the last one a grizzly..