Halcyon News

Along the Danube today. Sobering to travel through countries where buildings are pock-marked by bullet impacts. We are so incredibly fortunate to have been born in No. America.
 
El and Bill,

You have no idea how lucky we are. My dad lost the Russian revolution, and as a loser had to leave rapidly and ended up in the USA. So my brother and I were born in the good old USA. Every time I think of what would have happened if dad had won, I am thrilled to be here.

So here's to luck beats skill. The USA isn't perfect, but it beats every other country on this globe.

Boris
 
El and I have been on a quest in the San Juan Islands of Washington for the past month -- visit every state marine park in the islands and write them up. Well, we've visited them all, and wrote up most -- James, Spencer Spit, and Stuart remain to be written.

For those of you who like to mingle cruising with some walking 'on the wild side' in state parks, this section should be helpful for you. For those with kids or grandkids who love to camp on "neat" islands, this writeup on the parks should be a gold mine (unless, of course, you've already 'mined' all previously). And for those whose wild walks are in the towns, gift shops, and whatever, of the islands, read about them somewhere else. :lol:

www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/wagems

Now on Lake Yellowstone for some cruising for the month.
 
El and Bill":4mh8dnmc said:
El and I have been on a quest in the San Juan Islands of Washington for the past month -- visit every state marine park in the islands and write them up. Well, we've visited them all, and wrote up most -- James, Spencer Spit, and Stuart remain to be written.
Click to expand...

Wow! That should be included in the Washington State Marine Park brochures! :thup :thup :thup

The San Juans are one of our favorite cruising areas, and you've given us many more reasons to return.

A fine job - kudos to you two! :D

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
Wow! Very nice. Thanks.

I am glad that you gave Skagit a "give it a pass". It is one of my favorite kayak camping islands. :wink:

Robbi
 
My grandparents fled Russian slavery in Lithuania in 1939 and my grandfather returned after the war as a US citizen. Only to be sent to the gulag for 3 years until he was rescued by a heroic US Consular employee who treked to Siberia with his passport. It has been wonderful to see the changes these peoples have achieved once Moscow's boot was removed from their necks.

BTW, we met Bill and Ell in Blind Bay a few weeks ago and had a very pleasent visit aboard Halcyon. Talk about a small world, it turns out that Bill was discipline director at a New England prep school around the time I was expelled!!
 
Hi El and Bill,

Very nice write up of the state parks!

We made our first trip to the San Juans in the early 1990's chartering a sailboat with our good friends. We caught our first dungeness crab at Spencer Spit with the crab rings provided on the boat. We named him George and he was the only crab for that trip. We did not have a pot large enough to cook George in so we emptied a large cookie tin and cooked him in that.

Another night of that trip was spent on a mooring at Turn Island where we first experienced bioluminescence in the water. We saw it in the current flowing around the mooring. We all squeezed into the head in the dark to watch as we pumped the head and the little critters lite up the bowl.

Chartering over the years we discovered many of the state parks, caught many more crabs, and took many walks. When we bought our CD22 in 2004 our first night in the Islands was Doe Island. On our last trip in 2007 our last night of the trip was at Doe Island. After 15 years there are still new places to discover.

Thanks for a great write up.

Steve and Karen
 
El and Bill,

:thup :thup on the write up. Sorry we couldn't get together this time, but as the fat lady used to sing, "I don't get around much anymore!"

:love to El,

Dusty
 
We are finishing up our cruising on Lake Powell tomorrow. Their are some posts to read on our website if interested in Yellowstone, Tetons, Flaming and Powell. We also have a post on the 'little critters', the hyperthermophiles, of Yellowstone:

www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/lakepow08.htm (Lake Powell)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/gs.htm (Grand Slam of Lakes)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/yellowst.htm (Cruising on a Volcano)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/yell.htm (Yellowstone ashore)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/yellgath.htm (Yellowstone Gathering)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/yelltherm.htm (Micro critters)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/teton.htm (The Tetons)
 
We have just uploaded some tales written by Grandkids about their cruising with us on Powell and Yellowstone. If you, or the kids are interested, click on www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/2009 and you will see the three postings. C-Dory cruising sure can inspire the younger ones to do some original writing (as well as afford all of us a great and memorable time together)
 
El and Bill

Have read looked at the photos and thoroughly enjoyed all of the sharing of your travels and the addition of your Grand kids perspective of their time with you is another jewel among the treasure. What a great idea having them share their thoughts. Amazing that they would and how well they did.
 
Just posted up a few tales on Halcyon Days website:

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/bellgath09.htm - Bellingham Gathering

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/nanaimo.htm - Nanaimo Gathering

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/chemainus.htm - about this interesting town (town of murals) in the Gulf Islands

Thanks for the nice comments about the grandkid writing - we've relayed on your thoughts to inspire them - several are taking writing classes outside school since they enjoy creating stories.
 
El and Bill,

Much thanks for the trip news.

In september we are going back to the Erie Canal. Dun is planning a turn around cruise so we don't have to get with the car shuffle. Good idea.

You two will be missed, unless you can make it. Every time I watch "Fifteen Miles On The Erie Canal" I remember that great trip and the great people who were with us, especially the two of you.

happy sailing,

Fred
 
Thanks for the kind comments, Fred. We sure enjoyed that cruising with you and the other nor'easters on the Erie Canal. Would love to have been there with you guys this year, but we're hanging out here for Lake Powell Gathering.
 
Seeing the posts with/by the grandkids reminded me of an article titled something along the lines of "Kids Make Great Anchors". Of course, my twisted sense of humor appreciated the title, but the gist of it was how special it is to cruise as a family with kids. You two are creating life-long memories for those grandkids (and yourselves). :D

Thanks for sharing them with us.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
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