2015 Pelican, Alaska Gathering

Jay,
Thanks for thinking of us. We would love to cruise down to Pelican with you from Skagway. The route to Sitka is something we would decide on at a later time. Hopefully things will work out. I hope we will not turn into a ball and chain for you and Jolee. To say I am looking forward to the trip would be an understatement.
Tom,
Thanks for your offer. I'd love to have what ever info you want to pass along. Once again thanks for being as thoughtful as you are.
D.D.
 
Dave, most certainly no ball & chain. Anymore we travel slow always trying to soak in as much as possible every trip, as who knows when it will be the last. The whole route from Skagway to Pelican, including towns, wildlife & scenery is awesome & after all the times we have made this run solo it would be fantastic to share it with you two or others that would be able to launch out of Skagway on a adjustable date of departure.

Jay
 
To update, Brent & Dixie with the Discovery & us hope to be in Skagway, Alaska toward the end of May with us both leaving our home states of Utah & Wyoming, somewhere between the 23rd & 27th of May, weather on the route north making for the actual date of departure. It's impossible to establish a exact date for us to arrive in the Pelican area, due to the unknowns of weather on the road trip & once on the water its conditions in the Lynn Canal, Icy strait & Cross Sound areas, but hope to make it there before at least June 10th. I realize, that's still very early for anyone coming from the south via Puget Sound or Prince Rupert, though any that do so would sure be welcome. For those with the experience necessary & inclination for a unique & challenging road trip might consider joining the Discovery & us as we make our way from Skagway to Pelican & perhaps beyond.

Jay
 
Another update, due to the priority of us attending our eldest granddaughters high school graduation, we won't be leaving Wyoming until June 6th with plans of the Discovery Crew & us being in Skagway about the 10th of June & the Pelican area 10 or so days later. Perhaps this later date will make it possible for others to join us there or along the way & possibly go on the outside down to Sitka. Our initial route will be From Skagway, Haines, Hoonah, Elfin Cove to Pelican with some side exploring along the way.

I will turn on the SPOT tracking when we leave Wyoming on June 6. This is the link, which is also in my posting signature. http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... nAR1SlZggM

Jay
 
We are excited and busy getting ready for the trip. I have been prepping the boat, serviced the motors and lower units, including new impellers and zincs. New tires and I reworked the elec/hydraulic brakes. A new Manson 25# anchor. I replaced the old solar panels (90 W) with two Renogy 100 W panels. I have Hypervent for the berth, and I installed a USB charging strip for all the electronic toys.

I need to look at the oil in the oil bath hubs. I need to get the Honda 2000i out and service it. Also the inflatable and Honda 2 HP need a look at.

We will be fishing, crabbing and shrimping on this cruise and I still need to go through that gear.

I bought a pair of Fujinon 14 X 40 image stabilized glasses last year for Christmas and am looking forward to using them.

So much still to do, and only one month left before we leave for Skagway.

We have a Delorme InReach and I'll post a link so you can all follow along on our location.
 
Wish we could meet up with you all in Pelican. Haven't ventured out that far but would really like to. Still working on the anchor setup for our boat.
We have been having the most incredible weather up here for several weeks. I really hope it holds for this summer!!
Julie
 
Julie, I wish you could too. It would be great if you guys could still make it happen.

We have friends from Montana who launched from Skagway in early May & have been really enjoying your wonderful weather & are fishing in the Pelican area now, though with this being their first cruise in these waters, I doubt they know just how good it really is. It sure is the opposite of what we had in 2012 & like you hope it continues. I have been watching the sea conditions on the outside & where it stayed for the majority of May 2012 between 12 & 24 feet, this years it's been more between 5 & 12 feet, with more days ok to be out there than not.

We leave home this coming Saturday & are sure excited about another adventure this time shared with Brent & Dixie & their Discovery. The Hunkydory is all waxed up with road protection on & loaded with only minor things to do to go.

Jay
 
If I have done this right this link should show our Delorme InReach position for the summer Alaska trip. https://share.delorme.com/FBrentBetenson

I won't turn on the tracking until we actually begin the trip. We leave home on 6/5/15 and have a few days drive to get to Skagway, where we launch.

We will meet Jay and JoLee (Hunkydory) on 6/6 in Idaho, and travel together to Skagway. It's 2551 miles one way for us to Skagway.
 
I can't think of anyone else I would feel more comfortable doing this trip with than Jay and Jolee. They have gone to places most people with a lifetime of S.E. Ak boating haven't. They can do it because of their prudence, the size of their craft and the extensive knowledge they have earned putting around up here. I know for us, time is often a limiting factor since we both still work full time in our respective businesses. The ability to have time for travel and time for waiting out the weather in safety is what makes cruising possible. Pelican is often doable for us and can be a very mellow and pleasant trip out of Juneau but not something we get to do often, given time and weather constraints. We hope that we will be able to meet up with some of you when you are up this way. I would like to offer up our help, should anyone need it. Jay and Jollie have our contact info and they have my ok to share that with you so you have a contact up here should you need it. The FedX boys know where we are too, should you need to have a shipping address for parts etc.
 
Brent, fantastic maps, especially aerial, on the InReach. Also the messages, to someone who can post them on The C Brat site is a great feature.

I hope that Steve and Coleen, can get the time to run over to Pelican--I am sure that a "vacation" is well deserved. They are another really great couple, who we had the pleasure to meet and spend some time with a few years ago.

We are all looking forward to "sharing" the venture! Wish we were there!
 
Steve & Colleen, it's very good to hear from you & hoping to see you sometime this summer even if not in the Pelican area though it would be wonderful if you could make it there. When I started this thread, I sent you a email stating, I hoped you two could get away to Pelican when we were there. Your complements were both meaningful & appreciated by us. It's sure assuring to know we have proven back up if needed along with very pleasurable company in the process. Our time spent anchored in your cove waiting for the new Wallas to arrive & all your help & generosity holds special memories.

Bob, we have been hoping all winter & spring that you & Marie would decide to make this road trip & cruise too.
 
Thanks Jay, the situation with my Aunt who has Alzheimer's has made a big dent in what we can do at least during for the next 6 months. Still planing to be at Powell..

We will be in Alaska at least in spirit, and having the tracking, plus I know there will be some great photos will keep all of us enthused and up to date.
 
Well, it looks like we may be heading over that way the weekend of the 26th. Not sure if you will still be in the area. We plan on fishing near Elfin Cove, Deer Harbor, and possibly cruise into Pelican.
Julie
 
Julie, if the weather doesn't hold us up we will probably be out on the outer coast by then, bit if still in the area will keep an eye out & call on the VHF. Our SPOT tracking has quit working but the Discovery's Deloreme In reach is showing our location.

We are now just entering Port Fredrick & near Hoonah with plans of going up to the forest service logging docks.

Jay
 
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