Halcyon News

Commercial:
- Fishermen
- Lumbermen
- Construction workers

all have a more difficult time making a living due to governmental regulations - not because of wealthy people who do not use their boats and take up dock space.

One docking price for commercial boats and another (higher price) for private boats (many unused)?

Where does it end?

FREE markets are what make this country GREAT! If you listen to NPR, you will never hear a word about the things that make this county truly exceptional.

There is no Cuban Cigar Exchange
There is no Peking Duck Exchange

There can never be free markets in a regulated society, and regulated markets can never succeed in a free society.

Shame on you for instilling such class envy.
 
El and Bill

"Enjoy" the title of your last bit of writing and what we always experience when reading and looking at all your write ups and photos. Your expressed thoughts and shared experiences are much appreciated.

Your chat with Charlie echoed ours with the owner and crew of the fishing boat Clarena with whom we spent some enjoyable hours this year in Pelican, Alaska. They use to take the Clarena down to the Seattle area at the end of the season every year. Said the same thing about the extreme rise in dock fees during the off season and cited the same reasons for the price increases.

It is amazing how many boats never get further from the dock than there electric power cords will extend. Again enjoyed your sense of the why.

Just returned from several days out at a remote boat site on Yellowstone Lake. We were the only boat on the lake other than Rangers and Park service working on the lake trout problem. Had a fine time enjoying the solitude and listening and watching the elk do there fall thing. Today it is snowing there with a high forecast of 38 degrees, so got out just in time.

A early Sept gathering at Bridge Bay on Yellowstone Lake might be something to consider for the future.

Looking forward to your next bit of writting and photos.

Jay and Jo-Lee
 
Jay and Jolee --

Great idea about an early September Gathering on Yellowstone. We've just been to Rocky Mtn. NP to watch the Elk and hear the bugling - incredible experience as always. It would be marvelous to share that time with you good folks and other C-Brats on Yellowstone.

Are you folks planning another Alaska adventure for this summer? -- sure enjoyed reading your tales from last summer.
 
Big Bad Ben":2ww5y302 said:
<stuff clipped>
FREE markets are what make this country GREAT!
Click to expand...
Free expression is a least a component of what makes this country great.
Big Bad Ben":2ww5y302 said:
If you listen to NPR, you will never hear a word about the things that make this county truly exceptional.
Click to expand...
If YOU listened to NPR you'd know that's not true. I listen to NPR daily during weekdays on my way into work and hear stories very frequently about the actions of every day people doing things that make this country truly exceptional. I also hear ideas about things we could do differently or (and this might shock you) things we could learn from other countries that could be done to make make things even better here. By the way, the comment that you admonish them on with the "shame on you" line was a quote from a commercial fisherman - not even something directly from Bill and El.

But hey this is Bill and El's thread about their boating and the main point of the story was boats that go unused, a nice question about why that is and some thoughts on the inertia that seems to prevent people from doing things they enjoy.

Bill and El - I really enjoyed the thoughts and writing. It's a shame that so many boats don't really get used and for most of those larger, infrequently used boats, the owners would be financially far better off leasing. I woke up earlier this morning and was thinking about that fact that I haven't been out on my boat since late August and that I need to get out there again soon. I've "only" got a little over 1000 hrs on each engine in 5 years of use and to me that's not enough. I've already been planning out next year's Neah Bay trip (Aug 7-16) and have spent much of my free time while traveling on work related matters thinking (actually scheming) about keeping my boat out there for most of next summer. But today (and today is what really matters today), I really don't have the time or energy to hook it up to the truck, take it for a short spin and then wash her down and re-stow.....damn inertia....
 
El and Bill-Just a note to say thanks for all the happiness you're writing has given me. While we will probably confine our cruising to Lake Washington, your writings have helped open my eyes to the beauty and wonder that is there for the seeing. It is a great gift, and I, for one, appreciate it.
 
El and Bill":vhj8n4lf said:
We have posted up another bit of writing on the Halcyon Days website, for those of you interested. This one's marked Enjoy and there's a great shot of Ruth and Joe's R-Matey at the end.

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/enjoy.htm
Click to expand...

Bill & El,

Thanks for including the photo of our beloved (and enjoyable) R-MATEY...wonderful to be able to see how she looks through the lens of your camera.

Ruth & Joe/R-MATEY
 
El and Bill

No Alaska trip at this time planned for this year or for that matter the next two. Hope to make a full summer trip in 2010 following retirement that spring. Was great making the three cruises with the c-dory and our other adventures in the north lands thus far and if we had it to do over wouldn't have missed a one. The reason for waiting untill retirement for the next one is not due to hazards encountered or losses suffered, but rather the anxiety brought on by knowing we have to return to work by a specific date with a very unforgiving employer and all the many things that could prevent it. When we first started considering cruising the northern sections of the Inland Passage we bought the Douglass-Hemingway cruising guide and picked out all our must see areas. Believe it not we have accomplished this knowing of course in a lifetime you couldn't see all of the inlets, bays, ect. Having accomplished the must sees really helps us to wait, so we can do a much more relaxed slow and even more enjoyable future cruise.

So----this coming year plan on more time in Yellowstone at least the two weeks following labor day weekend in Sept. The Bridge Bay Marina closes just after mid Sept. On Labor day this year there were three c-dory's there. We had our own mini gathering. Bet it wouldn't be to hard to increase that number. Will do a little more thinking about this and then see what the interest is from the other C-Brats besides you two unless you all would like to post an inquiry now and that would be just fine with us.

We too have enjoyed the elk in the fall at Rocky Mt National park. Lived three years in Kremmling, Co which is fairly close to the Park.

Jay
 
Jay -

Your plans make sense to us. Life is short, and as we get older it becomes more difficult (or impossible) to do the tough ones. You sure did it right with your "must-sees" at the top of the list, and what marvelous adventures you two had. Now, ease back a little so the time constraints of work don't force you into bad choices, enjoy the boat, each other, and beautiful Wyoming.

Your idea of a Yellowstone Gathering sounds marvelous and can't think of two guides better qualified to show folks around.
 
Sometimes it's interesting to tilt back and ponder - to think about things. Recently a book we read has caused us to have interesting discussions while swinging on the hook in some secluded cove, surrounded by the quietness of a summer evening broken only be the splash of a fish or the cry of a gull.

We thought you might enjoy sharing some of this pondering.

www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/2007 Under October, click on Black Swans.
 
Bill-

I found your discussion of Black Swans very thought-provoking and enjoyable!

Fun to have something to discuss or read about that's deep enough to ponder awhile.

Thanks for the thinking!

Joe.
 
Hi Bill,

Your quote at the end of that piece is what keeps us looking over the horizon, over the next hill, around the next bend. Thought provoking, indeed. Thank you.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
It's funny to have found this post just after the maiden voyage of "My Heaven."
The wife and I let loose in St Helens Marina this Wednesday - we headed (by mistake - but that's another story) down the Willamette to the Columbia. Anyone in this area knows of the hundreds of house boats and marinas along the way. Yes - house boats are suppose to be tied to land. However, I was noticing how many - (hundreds) - of boats were in the water and no one was around. All tied up. No one even paying any attention to them at all. It was raining on and off, but in the Northwest we understand this is going to be the case for six or greater months in the fall/winter.
I am unsure as to the various answers as to why people were not enjoying what they worked so hard to obtain, but I am sure those answers are as many as the boats that layed silent that day. I just hope for everyone that when they do - the enjoyment is great and the memories of good time are strong.
 
El and Bill
I have always enjoyed your website - Your recent posts, photos and shared time have provided life changing energy that is important at this time in my life. It has re-kindled the flame that climbing provided to a more youthful frame.

Your posts:

"Enjoy the rest of your life."

"Now, ease back a little so the time constraints of work don't force you into bad choices, enjoy the boat, each other, and beautiful Wyoming."

The "Black Swans" story.

Indeed, You have made your life "a work of art."

Mozart had a special connection to the cosmos of music composition - rarely needing to edit. You also have a connection to something grand.

I am grateful for your frequent reports back from your total immersion in Waldens Pond to those of us who only have a foot in it. Its not about bigger and better but about simpler and more connected.

I am also grateful to the members of this group that in their own way help us each find those special C-Dory places of solitude and reflection.

Thanks

Jim
On Endurance
 
El and Bill,

Very interesting.

I like the argument of Newton's Law. We don't want to get moving because it is safe or easier not to. Happened to me twice this summer. Weather report said bad weather. Left boat home. Weather was not bad. Used excuse not to do what I wanted, instead of doing what I wanted to do. It meant commitment. Easier way out.

We find ourself not doing what we want and making excuses for, or listening to, other peoples arguments that what they want is better, then regretting it.

Then we rebel and do what we want to do. Two trips to the Erie Canal. I fought people telling me that I could not take the time off. That little old ladies would be hurt if I was not at the Inn to great them. BS. I did it and had a great time. I try not to let the things of everyday living hold me down.

The problem is that we have to address this "laziness" on a day-to-day basis. It also helps if your partner likes that same things you do.

Fred
 
Glad most have enjoyed our recent postings -- and thanks for your kind words.

We're heading to the Balkans for a few weeks so all will be quiet from us for awhile.
 
Have a good trip El and Bill... Thanks for letting us know you'd be out for awhile, the posse that hunted for Sea Wolf Joe is still in session and we'd be out looking for you!

Charlie
 
Have a great time! You two deserve some time away from... um, well, have fun. We'll be looking forward to your writings on your return.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
Iggy -

Ten years ago we would have needed at least a C-130, with fighter escort. And, we tried towing an oil tanker with Halcyon to give us enough fuel to cross the pond, and couldn't budge her.

So, we fly commercial and each carry a six pound carry-on bag for this trip (wear one, wash one, right?). Heaviest part of my carry-on is the two pounds of coffee for El's morning starter-cuppa (second heaviest would be the geological 'stuff' I'm packing along).
 
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