The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

For our friends regarding getting Wild Blue back on the road...

It was a warm day today - we saw temps above 80º... and plenty of smoke as we crossed into Oregon from Washington. We timed our Seattle passage to miss rush hour (why do they call it that, when no one is able to actually rush??)

I stopped frequently to check the hubs and tires with the IR thermometer - all good. Joan did a great job packing the boat; everything rode well. We ran further than we anticipated, mostly because the first couple RV parks we checked with were full or didn't have a site left that we could fit in.

We settled for the night in Rufus... just off the Columbia River, but feels like it's WAY off the beaten path. This RV park had space. Kinda easy to see why, but we are plugged in, have the satellite TV going, and the guy running the park fixed me up with wifi. It wasn't easy getting on, but we have NO Gs on our phones. :wink: Joan is able to sign on (sloooooowly) with her iPhone... my poor Droid is waving its arms in the air and saying, "Danger, Will Robinson!!" I always get a better signal than Joan, but not tonight.

I got back into the swing of driving a truck after 4 1/2 months on the water. Big Red does a fine job with our 25. Only butt-clenching moment today came when we heard what sounded like an explosion... and the road in front of us filled with shards of rubber as the rear tire of the 18-wheeler right in front of us blew out! :shock: We zigged, we zagged, and managed to miss all the big pieces... just glad we weren't right beside that when it went off (he had just passed us)!

I wouldn't call the place we are in tonight a "destination" park; mostly permanent or long-term looking rigs in here. But, we're down for the night, got around 14 mpg for the day, the truck, boat and trailer did fine, and the smoke from the fires isn't too bad. Odds are pretty good we won't need the heater tonight. 8)

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
BaseCampAnne":2ryonvof said:
Jim, it was great to finally meet you and Joan in Anacortes in May.

Sorry to miss you this time. I was hoping to be back in Anacortes before you two left. I am finally returning Saturday to attend Jocylyn and Ray's farewell gathering for Willie and Herb. (I've been spending lots of time clearing out my home and garage.)

Happy travels, and thanks for the Adventures blog and great photos!
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We hoped we could see you before we headed South. Glad you are arriving back in Anacortes tomorrow. See you then,
 
Darn it Jim – I wish I knew about this earlier. I am about 10 to 12 miles as the crow flies, 26 miles by road from Rufus. Just the other side of the Columbia River and a little West at Gooseneck, Washington. Sure would like to see you and Joan again. Gooseneck is in the middle of nowhere and my cell does not work very well here but I do have a temporary land line. Five zero nine - seven seven three - zero four three zero. If you have the time I would consider it a privilege to show you and Joan the wild animal ranch www.schreinerfarms.com and buy you breakfast and or lunch. The ranch is just across the river from The Dalles.

Dave dlt.gif
www.marinautboats.com
 
Ah, yes, Rufus. Stayed there only once in the "RV" park there. It was a strange, windy, dusty, experience that I hope not to repeat anytime soon. Last two trips through that area, I made sure I had a prior reservation at an actual "RV" park to avoid the possibility of needing to stay in Rufus. Yes, the gentleman running things was helpful, and it did get me off of the highway, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
 
Darn it, Dave - sorry I missed that post! We are already in Idaho, settling in for the day. It would have been great to see you again. I guess I have to come back to the PNW now.

Our boss at the whale watch company said, "How many friends do you have in this area?" (after regular visits from C-Dory and sailing friends)

"We are blessed - there are way more that you haven't met, yet." :D

A relatively smoke-free drive today, with the wind out of the west (pushing it on ahead of us).

Good traveling so far... and who knew we were going to Napa Valley??

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2012/09/so ... alley.html

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For Harry - there are a couple photos in the link above, showing the view from our cockpit in Rufus. Kinda pretty. Not ready to move there, but not a bad stop for the night. Plus, I like the name... Rufus. If Joan and I decide to have another child, I think I'll name him Rufus. Unless it's a girl, of course... then it would be Rufaletta (rhymes with the sandwich from N'awlins). 8)

Best wishes,
Jim

UsCockpitE.jpg

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On edit: Joan made it very clear that there would NOT be another child... unless there is a miracle involved. Apparently, the name Rufus is something that will need to be discussed with my next wife. :wink
 
Jim, I can relate to the "explosion" when an 18-wheeler tire blows. Heard and saw my first one about 3 months ago, maybe 100 ft in front of us, barely missed the tire pieces also. Quite a wake-up call, I now stay 'extra' far away from trucks, more than usual.

Great pic of you and Joan in the cockpit, we love to picnic also when asphalt boating. Enjoy your trip and safe travels!
 
Hey Jim and Joan,

It is almost that warm here today, too, and just as nice a sky. We are just missing the rock formations. Nice to see you this summer. Enjoy and travel safe and looking forward to the next round.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Steve Grover":204qqrfe said:
Jim,

who's the babe on the bow :P
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Hi Steve,

Good to hear from you. If you mean the one next to Joan, that's little Izzy. :wink: Can you tell which of us had to run to get back to the boat to be in the photo? :roll:

How's the land traveling going these days? That Winnebago treating you right?

Best wishes,
Jim
 
hardee":1tzgaeyq said:
localboy":1tzgaeyq said:
Damn that lake is beautiful. Some day...
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Mark, I'm with you ----- someday. :) :D :thup :thup

Jim, I Always thought you always had "juice" :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
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It's a great place to be on the water, Harvey. In the past, I've described it as spiritual. We've had fun everyplace we've taken the boat... but your home waters are still the place I could go over and over again.

Lake Powell is interesting cruising, and a different mindset. We have moved to a bay closer to Wahweap so we can meet up with our friends, Herb and Wilma. Lots of "non-C-Dory" type boats in this part of the lake. Not bad, but a different type of boating... more people "going in circles, fast." :mrgreen: The weather is beautiful - I can't imagine what this place would be like in the middle of summer with the heat and the crowds. Brent and Dixie have boated here every month - it would be interesting to get their take on it.

If you enjoy being on the water, spectacular scenery, and interesting navigating (love those canyons), this place should definitely be on your list. Doing Lake Powell with a group (we didn't make it here in time to get in on the gathering) is fun and a different experience than going on your own. Both ways are great.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim,

Had to laugh at the "going in circles, fast" comment. Recently I had a total lapse of sanity and, while at a resort on Okanogan Lake up in BC, and having nothing much else to do, and being by myself and totally (can you tell I am having a hard time admitting to this?) ahhh yea, I rented an, Um a jet ski OK, there I said it. yes a jet ski. Yes I have always liked motor cycles, and love to ride. Used to love to go fast, and have never been afraid of the water. Respect yes, but fear no. Sooooo I got on. They said it would go sort of fast, well 60mph. OK, I decided to just use the bottom half of the throttle, still faster than my C-Dory would go, and I never worry about falling off of it. :lol:

After a short, and I mean really short :shock: operational instruction period, (like 30 seconds,) I am off and running. This thing goes from chugging to planning in its own length, and just with a crack of the throttle. :D WOW 20 is fast. Oh well, hang on and go 20 for a while. Then 25. Not so bad. :wink: So at 60 I could make it up to the end of the lake, about 40 miles and then back in not much over an hour. Head out, and keep the shore within swimming distance of the port side. (Eh, do these things have port and starbd.?)

Up the lake a ways, got used to the 25, 30, 35, and finally backed off at 50. (Thinking if I fall of at this speed it won't hurt much for long.) The water was pretty flat except for a few boat wakes, which I could jump from and get 30 feet of jump out of. Across the lake, down and back after a while. Fun yes, but I got it out of my system.

When I got back to the dock, one of the rental guys asked where I went, saying that folks usually just go out from the dock and go around in circles for an hour then bring the pwc back in. That way they can keep an eye on their machines. Just told him I was into cruising not circles. :oops:

Just a story about going in circles , or not.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I'm thinking our real estate related delay here will put us mid november in wahweap. It couldn't be any colder than BC in March???? Lots less traffic! We have heat and blankies so will be heading that way. Looping back thru southern Ca and Delta by March. George
 
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