The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

Hi Harvey,

Good to hear from you. Sorry we couldn't make the Sidney gathering - I was playing for the Ranger Tugs gathering in Anacortes at the same time. I followed the posts here - sounds like you all had a good time.

It is always a delight to see the whales. We did some cruising after we left Anacortes... saw some whales on the way north, with a couple excursion boats heading towards them... we went on by. It was a great summer, especially getting that "trifecta" on my last day... a good way to finish the viewing.

Hope you get some beautiful fall weather for boating.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim- I know how carefully you plan your long journeys while trailering the boat or the 5th wheel trailer. As one who always stops in motels, I was wondering if you use any particular site to find lodging on this trip. Since I don't have a smart phone and because of glaucoma I limit my night driving. I used to stop in a McDonalds about 3pm and with my laptop search for a room primarily using the AAA travel site. Anyway, have a safe comfortable trip. I Look forward to seeing you next year.
 
Hi Marty,

We travel without hauling much like we do when hauling: watch the weather and a couple hours before we're ready to be down for the day, look for options. Joan used Google on her iPhone to see what local info was available along the way... pick a town, check out the lodging. If there were a couple options she liked, we planned to make that a stop. Knowing we were spending a night and not moving in, we looked for mid-range places. We drove by one and both said, "Not a chance," and laughed. Other than specific destinations, we don't sweat the enroute places. Internet access gives us quick reference for motels and reviews... and the important stuff, like: do they allow pets?

We keep our route options open, too. The most direct route to our daughter's place would have been through Page. The fastest route was through Vegas. We didn't decide that portion until that morning.

When hauling the boat or RV, we use AllStays or Passport America apps. Joan is very proficient with her iPhone, I am usually driving. We swap occasionally, but she is a more efficient navigator... if I get on the internet while she's driving, I'll just likely spend time here. :D

We also use apps like Next Exit or similar to see what's ahead on the road (meals, rest areas, etc). We have a paper copy of that book, but it is several years old. Staying flexible works for us. I'd rather not be traveling in the dark, either - it limits options.

Hope you're staying warm and dry! Not sure what next summer looks like for us, but assuming the PNW, we'll look forward to seeing you.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Hey Jim-

How many horsepower does the main power plant on that thing have?

Do they sometimes have twins?

How about a get-home kicker?

Does your Sea-Tow insurance policy cover this new addition?

( Also, I know a life insurance agent if Joan is interested.)

Give 'em your stand-up routine as long as you can!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
So Jim, How long before Joan will let you put it in a kiddy pool, and how long after that before she lets you get both feet on the board?? :twisted: :twisted:
 
:mrgreen: Regarding some of the questions...

Power: less than 1 horse power. I have no doubt that some of you have already decided which part of the horse. :twisted:

The only kicker will be me... possibly a screamer, too. Sea Tow? I plan to be in water no deeper than my chin, and easy access to land. Life insurance? I don't want to be worth more dead than alive.

Stand-up routine - that's funny, I don't care who ya are!

Kiddie pool? Where we live isn't a 55+ community, but it's kinda defacto. Both feet is the plan, right off the bat... none of that fancy one-foot stuff stuff... well, assuming I am able to get upright on it. I'll let you know.

On the bright side: the water is a LOT warmer here than the PNW! 8)

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim, last fall at lake Powell, Donna of Secret of Life, let me try out her board. For sure, fore sure, Keith & her make it look so easy. I found myself in the water with a bleeding big toe very quickly following stepping aboard, though I did mange to paddle it around very shakily for a short there after. From watching Keith & Donna having good times on their boards it appears they'er lots of fun once your past the learning curve. I hope that part goes quickly for you. Fast or slow, I think you have already & will continue to make a good tale of it well worth the reading.

Jay
 
chromer":2qceewlm said:
Jim,

Two things after reading todays blog.
Why not catch the ferry to the gathering?
Fill out employment app THIS YEAR for http://www.sanjuanvineyards.com


Can the cat bodycheck a dog? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6FvHif8l0w
Click to expand...

I'll be working on Wild Blue tomorrow, so the ferry trip isn't going to work for us; need to get our "summer home" ready!

If the Blonde wants a job for next summer, Izzy and I will pack her lunch and send her off. I think it has more to do with the wine than the work. :lol:

I saw that video of the cat whooping up on the dog. I asked Izzy if she would rescue me like that... she said, "Absolutely - you know just how I like my food. I don't want to have to break in another chef."

People don't think twice about a 50 pound dog. Those same people would crap themselves if they saw you coming with a 50 pound cat. :wink: Izzy gets very protective of her home (house, boat, RV) and her people, and can go from a little sweetie to blur of claws and fangs in a heartbeat if she senses a threat.

Cat owners get that video.

We're looking forward to our time in Friday Harbor this summer, but it will be some time next week before we get there. But, we'll be thinking about all the C-Brats and the fun everyone there will be having. :D

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Hi Jim, Hope you all have a great Summer out there. We are on our way to Alaska, (Pandy Girl is not with us) We stayed last night at Hart Ranch in South D. (If I remember you own a lot there) It was Great, They were doing a lot yard work & they made us fell very welcome. Jim J
 
Pandy Girl":y0xs3nqw said:
Hi Jim, Hope you all have a great Summer out there. We are on our way to Alaska, (Pandy Girl is not with us) We stayed last night at Hart Ranch in South D. (If I remember you own a lot there) It was Great, They were doing a lot yard work & they made us fell very welcome. Jim J
Click to expand...

Love Hart Ranch! It has been a while since we've been there. We have been owner/members there for over 2 decades. It is the RV resort we compare all others to (Grammar Police: ended sentence with a preposition!). It was easy to go there on the way to and from the Tetons, since we had the 5th wheel. (You may remember our episode of putting a tent on the site so we'd have "an official camping unit" and staying in our boat... the board of directors changed the bylaws after that. :lol: )

Have fun with your Alaska trip! I take it you are RVing your way there? Post some updates here - there are plenty of Brats who enjoy RVing, too.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
It has been a while since I posted an update here: we are settled in at Friday Harbor for another season of whale watching. Wild Blue is our home for the summer. Living aboard works for us.

Here's a link from today's trip...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2014/06/i- ... hobia.html

The work schedule Joan negotiated means we are having some time off for fun... land exploring with the scoots and water cruising with Wild Blue.

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2014/06/in ... oting.html

The weather in the San Juans has been pretty darn pleasant since we got here in May; hoping for more of the same.

See you out on the water!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

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Missed you on our last trip through Friday Harbor clearing customs before heading to Bellingham. It was during the middle of the day & no doubt you were both on the job. We sure enjoyed our visits with you two when did connect & maybe we'll see you again there next year as we'er considering going all the way up the Inland Passage next spring starting from Bellingham.

Those of you who don't follow Jim's blog are really missing a treat. It's a fantastic way to view how a couple can turn life into a continual adventure with wonderful writing & photos to boot.
 
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