Cruise Planning

[El and Bill]

Our thoughts of cruises for this summer and fall:

June until mid-July: We are planning to cruise along the BC coast north from WA -- to include Princess Louisa and Deception Sound.

July 28 - August 11 (approx dates): For those interested in fresh water cruising and have the time, we then hope to cruise the Upper Columbia Lakes in British Columbia's Rocky Mountains (Lake Kinbasket, and the Arrow Lakes) and then down through Lake Roosevelt.

August 23 - September 12(approx. dates): We plan to trailer over to Lewiston, ID and come down the navigable Columbia from the head of navigation at Lewiston to the sea.

Mid-September until mid-October: We plan to trailer to Ft. Peck, MT and begin a long cruise down the Missouri River to the Mississippi River. On this cruise, we will cruise the lakes in Montana, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska and then cruise the river from the head of navigation in Iowa to the Mississippi River at St. Louis.

Mid-October: We hope to cruise down the Arkansas River from Oklahoma to the Mississippi River.

Anyone interested in joining in on any or all (or portions of) these cruises would be welcome. We mention these cruises now just for long-range thinking on the part of those who have the time and/or interest on these cruises. If there is interest in discussion or joining, we can start individual thread on these ideas.

[B~C]

El & Bill, sounds like a rotten job, but I suppose somebody has to do it
Looks like we may catch up to you when the current floats you down to the lower part of the Columbia.

[El and Bill]

GREAT! We'll be in contact when the time gets closer so we can mesh shedules -- would love to have some of you folks as 'guides' on the river or as tandem cruisers in those parts that might be new to both.

[El and Bill]

Yeh, Ken -- When you are homeless nomads, you've gotta be somewhere, so might as well be floating down a river, right? Nomads don't cut the lawn or wonder if you're almost home yet. On the other hand, you don't know where you'll be tonight or where the grocery store is.

[Helen O]

Gee, this thread really has me thinking. I've always wanted to see the midwest and Montana isn't that far away. Hmmm, the Missouri River to the mighty Mississippi. Dare I say New Orleans? I've got to do some research on this. More later.

[Pat Anderson]

Don't you mean "houseless" rather than "homeless" nomads?

[El and Bill]

Absolutely right, Pat and Patty. Our C-Dory is as fine a home as there is. In fact, we have two homes -- one on the water and the other (our Alaska camper on our tow vehicle) with wheels. Good to have a lawyer, who knows us, on this site to keep us precise in our words (and thinking). Looking forward to cruising with you guys on Lake Powell, and hope that works out for you guys, and thanks for keeping us honest.

[El and Bill]

Larry S. --
Nice to dream ... The Missouri River has some mighty large impoundments in MT, ND, SD, NE, and Iowa. These six reservoirs are mighty fine fishing, great boating, and interesting and beautiful country. The plan is to launch near each of the dams, cruise the lake above, then return the truck and trailer near the dam and trailer down to the next dam -- then cruise that lake. Each of these lakes is a beautiful cruise in its own right, through some wild and historic country, rich in wildlife.
The head of barge navigation is at Sioux City,just below Ponca State Park, on the NE, SD, Iowa border. We plan to launch at Ponca and leave the truck/trailer there. Then down to St. Louis, 752 miles downstream.
In its upper reaches, the river flows through rugged topography. Vegetation increases southeastward, but the river retains this rugged character throughout. Across the state of Missouri, the river marks the southernmost boundary of glaciation of the last ice age. Some of the most important and interesting towns and cities of America's heartland are found on the banks of the Missouri.
This trip cruises the route of Lewis and Clark, on a very special year of 2004.
It is, with the possible exception of the lower Mississippi, the fastest river in the US that is commercially navigable and will run 4-5 mph consistently. There are few barges on the river today, no dams below the Ponca SP put-in, so almost 800 miles of free flowing river.
There are significant hazards -- wing dams, sand bars that can shift overnight, lack of re-fueling stops, some barge traffic, shoals -- and in a drought cycle, too little water. We would plan to drift some portions, to save fuel and only use the engines occasionally to correct course into mid-channel. We would probably stop at most towns, since they are historic and interesting.
Should be a true boating adventgure. Love to have company for any portion or all of it.
The lower Mississippi (below the confluence with the Ohio) is free-flowing but confined by dikes, with few fuel stops, much traffic, not many anchorages, and not very scenic with the dike walls. If you wanted to continue south, we would suggest up the Ohio, into the Tennessee and down the Tenn-Tom waterway to Mobile, AL. We have made that trip and it is marvelous.
We plan to trailer to the headwaters of the Arkansas River in Oklahoma, after (hopefully) completing the Missouri River, and cruise down it to the Mississippi. Then, with some short trailer hops, we can put in on the headwaters of some Louisiana Rivers and cruise down to the Gulf coast.
Dreams -- eh? But ... possible. Keep in touch if you find more info, or have questions.

[Otter-BelleHavenMarina]

El and Bill,
I want to be you when I grow up! God bless you folks and your wonderful spirit! Kathy and I planning to visit friends in Nova Scotia this summer who have a cabin on one of the islands off the coast near Halifax. Am hoping to take most of the month of August off for the adventure. The Otter has only had small tastes of true salt water cruising, but she seems to love it!
All the best,

[Otter-BelleHavenMarina]

PS: With the girls, of course, and any canine members of the pack that are up to it!

[El and Bill]

Tom, Kathy, Girls, and pups --
Well, to start off, thanks for the compliment -- coming from you, it is especially meaningful.

Second, good to read about your cruisings on Otter and to know that it has been a good boat for you and the family. We have fond memories of a great cruise with you, your family, Casey, and the dogs -- and a good picnic lunch followed by an outstanding dinner. Your summer trip to Halifax sounds like a gem, and you two sure could use the lengthy time off from your busy work lives. While in NS, you might consider some cruising on the Bras D'Or lakes up on the northeast end of the Province. We have not boated on that water, and only seen it from the shores, but boating friends who have cruised there, think it some of the finest water in the Northeast.

Third -- if (and when) you have time, we'd appreciate hearing more about your recent trip to the mid-east and Iraq in particular. We know the details of your business there would not be for general consumption, but sure would like to hear some of your impressions from your trip -- if possible.

So -- best regards to you, Kathy and the girls. Our rough ideas for 2005 would put us back into the Chesepeake then, and hope to have the opportunity to cruise once again with you folks.

[TyBoo]

[Otter-BelleHavenMarina]

Would be happy to, perhaps after next week, as I have to go back over to attend an NSC conference in Jordan and then into Iraq to look at some possible training sites. I think I would be inclined to share impressions and observations rather than get into politics and foreign policy, as even among friends such topics can cause temperatures to rise! Major impression from first trip that was unexpected was the degree of economic activity and optimism even now, amidst an active insurgency. With Iraq's infrastructure base, oil reserves, huge cash infusions from the Coalition Provisional Authority, and likelihood of generous debt forgiveness by its creditors, a number of analysts are predicting an economic rebound more quickly than I would have thought possible. The other impression that struck me was the degree to which brutal internal security measures touched nearly every family. Many of the police that we are training have horrific personal stories of family members who disappeared or were tortured for reasons they never understood. We knew of course that this stuff was happening, but its different when you hear it described matter-of-factly by people who lived through it.

[El and Bill]

Tom --
Great -- and sure agree that anything you have time to share would be impressions and personal experiences -- not the politics or, naturally, anything touching on details of State Department policies.
Have a safe trip -- and know we appreciate what you are doing for all of us. E&B

[El and Bill]

Hey -- and back to the cruising thoughts -- still a long way off but wonder if any folk are interested in the full monty -- the long Columbia? e&b