Halcyon News

Ruth has my copy of "Pig War Islands," but I found this on the net. The killing of the pig was largely symbolic - the real issue was ownership of San Juan Island due to an ambiguity in the Oregon Treaty of 1846. This was just a little leftover remnant of the earlier much larger issue of the British historical claims running head on into American "manifest destiny" west of the Rocky Mountains, settled by the Oregon Treaty.



The Oregon Treaty of 1846 gave the United States undisputed possession of the Pacific Northwest south of the 49th parallel, extending the boundary "to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's Island; and thence southerly through the middle of the said channel, and of Fuca's straits to the Pacific Ocean." But while the treaty settled the larger boundary question, it created additional problems because its wording left unclear who owned San Juan Island.

The difficulty arose over that portion of the boundary described as the "middle of the channel" separating the British colony of Vancouver's Island from the mainland. There were actually two channels: one, Haro Strait, nearest Vancouver Island, and another, Rosario Strait, nearer the mainland (see map). San Juan Island lay between the two. Britain insisted that the boundary ran through Rosario Strait; the Americans proclaimed it lay through Haro Strait. Thus both sides considered San Juan theirs for settlement.

Read more here.
 
Engines serviced yesterday -- easy out in am and back in pm. Honda shop a few yards from the harbor. Resupplying this am in Bellingham and plan to be back to the San Juans by mid morning -- windspeeds still low, and plenty of sunchine between the showers -- delightful cruising up here now.
 
Anchored in Inati Bay tonight -- great little nook. Rain predicted for tonight and part of tomorrow. Plan to meet Daydream in Secret Harbor on Cypress Friday night, if anyone is up thisaway.
 
We have just posted up a new tale on our Halcyon Days website. This one deals with investing and getting money to work for you, rather than work for money all your life. It's how many folks could afford to Liveaboard if they understand basic economics and care to make some choices in life. http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/invest.htm

We are in Eagle Harbor, on Cypress -- with an Eagle fishing nearby. Secret Cove, where we were going to meet Daydream, is simply too fishy with the mariculture pens and too muddy to be dog-friendly ashore.
Come join us if you can and wish to have a rip-snorting game of hearts, tonight.
 
Hi EL and Bill,

I am so glad we got to know you two because of C-Dory. I really like and concur with your plan of investing. Unfortuneatly
we did not always do the 10% thing. Too soon old, too late smart.

We did learn however that having a bigger boat is not always the answer to your prayers. Several years ago we were anchored off the stern of a lovely GB Sedan. Complete with RIB tender, genset, and you get the idea. Penis envy was creeping up on me when I realized that we had the same wonderful view of Back Creek and our cheap box of wine gave us the same buzz. The bottom line our boat cost many $1000.00s less and we were just has happy.

You two show us a lot of wonderful places. Your idea of zero budget is really neat and I am glad to hear that canned baked beans are not on your menus very often.

Keep on keeping on.

Fred, Pat and Mr. Grey(the cat)
 
Gee, El & Bill, you had me hooked right up to the end, until you said you pay Fidelity to manage your money. Your concept of life after retirement, your views on growth, and risk are right in line with what Bob Brinker of MoneyTalk (ABC radio) has preached for eons. However, folks as intelligent as yourselves should be managing your money yourselves. It's far from rocket science, despite what money managers would have you believe. In fact, it's downright simple to devirsify a portfolio. I subscribe to Bob Brinker's Marketimer Newletter and follow his portfolio #4 for persons retired or near retirement. Easy, simple, and I save the fees I'd have to pay out each year, regardless of the direction of the market or my investments. And I too, use Fidelity as my IRA custodian.
 
Mike --

Sorry if we misled you about the management fees for Fidelity. We do manage the investment choices ourselves, and have from our earliest days. I was referring to the fees that mutual funds charge (about 0.5%/year) all owners of the mutual fund -- the same fees you pay for Fidelity funds in your IRA.

Definitely -- we concur, that all investors should use their own noggins to manage their investments -- nobody knows the goals, risk tolerance, or willingness to accept profit or loss better than the individual (and those who manage accounts for a fee are just taking off the top for something the individual can often do better)

Sorry to mislead, and will go back and change that part so not to lead anyone astray -- thanks for your email setting it straight. Let us know if you think that section needs more clarification.
 
El 'n' Bill,

And sometimes maybe you should be slapped up alongside the nogin. Pay good loot for a manager - after his email on Garmin (GRMN), which said, "Get on this one now, buddy" ... GRMN was 53 and change... today, just a few weeks later, 73 and change. Mental block, I guess, because I use RayNav.

Dang it, kids, guess I'm just human!! :lol: Sure wish I could join you up that-a-way in one of my favorite coves.

Dusty (poor, and you can see why.)
 
Hey Dusty- Dont feel bad. I sold my Boeing stock at 42. My son invited me to the roll out of the first 787 Dreamliner next week (on 7/8/07). Boeing stock is now about 97! But I'm happy for all concerned.
 
Hi Folks,

When I was teaching Personal Finance in college, I use to try and find out how people think, primarily wether they are spenders or SkinFlints. My parents were of the SkinFlint class, having gotten married in the early 1930's, where most of their friends did not get married until 1935 or after. They lived in the Depreciation.

My Dad never made a lot of money, but he was an very good investor. We lived in some great antique houses because Mom and Dad did all the work themselves. Mom was the decorator, Dad was the carpenter, painter, plumber, and electriction. ( Mom use to make all her own clothes.)

It took me a long time to understand what they were doing.

Today our children's friends are rushing to the bank every time the value of their house goes up, and refinancing. A lot of our daughters friends are having money problems from over spending. (One borrowed money from one of my daughters to feed her family one week.)

In the class room, I would talk about the time value of money, and how important it is to save for retirement and education for your children. Most of the students would rather buy the latest new car then save. ( The way I explained it to them was to show them how much $2.000.00 would grow at 6% a year compounded. I would mark on the bottom of the black board the first year, a third of the way up for the tenth year, the top of the blackboard for the twentieth year, and then I would push the desk against the wall, put a chair on the desk, stand on the chair and stretch and mark close to the ceiling for the thirtieth year. Quite impressive, I thought. The Red convertible won.)

In education, my parents paid for my sister, brother and my college education. All they asked if we would do the same for our kids.. We did. Many of our generation let their kids get caught up with college loans, and the kids are paying them back. To graduate from college with such a fiinancial burden is not fair. Why, because the parents want a better life style.

They also are the ones who are buying the new SeaRays at big bucks, and just having enough money left to run the boat.

Just to carry this conversation a little bit futher. I had a conversation with a friend who is on the board of a local bank. He was talking about people who have Jumbo Mortgages in the $500,000.00 range. Once a year they have to come in with a net worth statement. MOST were leasing their cars and boats. They were also maxed out on their equity, and TWO WEEKS FROM BANKRUPTCY.

What El and Bill have explained is how to be able to enjoy boating and time of your own by saving and investing.

When I was on the Erie Canal, Bill explained a few things he and El do to stretch the almighty buck. If you go out to eat, go out at for lunch. Slightly smaller portions, lot less money. Then only eat half the food. Save the rest for supper, or next days lunch. (Bill also suggested that if I would eat less, maybe I would weigh less there for I would eat less. A point well taken ((I am working on it.)))

He also explained how he invests and gets money while cruising with out using a ATM Machine. Good control of the finances.

Read what they say, and read it again. We are all lucky because we have found a way to see America at a very reasonable cost using the C-Dory. Then to add the camper on top of that. It the best of two worlds.

Thank you El and Bill.

Fred
 
We are in South Puget Sound. Cruised down from Bellingham, with a comfortable north wind at our back. First night anchored in Port Blakely -- and like Pat and Patty said, an incredible view of Seattle at night and Mt. Ranier. Lots of seals, bald eagles, geese -- great spot.
Now at Penrose State Park, and as Jim said, a nifty spot. Quiet anchorage, Lakebay is an old timey place with an interesting proprietor. Lunch at Tides in Gig Harbor hit the expectation level set by Old Dog and catman -- touristy by worth the visit.
Visited Blake Island, like you suggested, Old Dog and Catman. Hiked the trails, met the carvers, and had a great time at that State Park. Good suggestion.
We have had great weather, met good folks, and seen some beautiful areas here in the South Sound.
 
Fred -- thanks for the supportive words about investing -- your experiences certainly parallel ours. Too bad so many spend so much for so little, and can't experience the wonders of living a life of freedom from stuff. You have to be a contrarian, for sure. We miss cruising with you, buddy, so maybe we'll be east this fall and we can cross wakes again.
 
El and Bill. If I don't reach you by phone before this afternoon, give me a call again this evening. I should be around the house.

The calm south sound is expericing a bit of a breeze today. It is gusting to 25mph right now, but it sure keeps it nice a cool. Robbi
 
Hi Bill and El.

Sure is good to her you are having a good summer. Pat and I will leave for the Erie Canal and The Champlain next week. We plan to cruise and spend time in the cities on the eastern end of the canal. We will go up the the southern end of Lake Champlain and visit friends from our canoe selling days

We will have a lot to learn- a new lap top and a new camera. It is hard to say what the results will be because I am an analog guy trapped in a didgital world.

We do plan to spend some time in Sept. in the Fairport area with our son on the boat. He has heard about our canal cruising , but has never been there. This is the year. We will leave Pennsylvania about Sept 13 and launch at Geneva, NY.

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)
 
El and Bill,

It is good to see your stories back on the internet. For me, I have missed you cruising stories.

For you, Bill, guess it means that the "plumbing Job" was successful and you have your energy back. Wonderful.

Happy sailing.

Fred
 
Thanks, Fred. Yep, plumbing is 'fixed' and all is back to normal. Go in for an inside check-up toward the end of the month, between family reunions, then back to the boat. We hope to be cruising in northern Idaho in mid-August. Our best wishes to you -- we enjoy reading your posts on the site and have fond memories of times shared.
 
We had a great cruise from Poulsbo, in South Puget Sound, past the towers of Seattle and the beauties of mist rising through dark green forest, to Chuckanut Bay, outside Bellingham. Flat calm water and a light haze, like a scrim, adding mysterious scenes and magical quietness. We cruised at low speed, lightly drifting with the tidal currents. The twisting turns through Canoe Pass at dead low were treasured moments with guillemots and cormorants filling the waterway and lining the dripping rocks -- a memorable day of cruising, now crowned with the strains of the Olga Symphony (who live on Orcas Island) drifting over us as we sip our sundowners in the cockpit.
 
Back
Top