Too Old

J

jhayes1068

New member
After spending 30 days traveling to the west coast, up the Inside Passage, around Alaska, and driving the Alaska Highway back to Indiana, I realize that at age 70, my long range boating days are over for the most part. This is the 3rd time we've traveled to Alaska and the first time that I've felt competely worn out after the trip. Therefore, I've decided to not buy a boat to make the Inside Passage trip. I just want to thank the members of the C-Brats for their willingness to share their knowledge and friendship. The C-Dory is really a nice, unique, boat design, regardless of the size of the boat. Thanks, Jim
 
sorry to hear Jim, on first glance that's a lot of traveling to do in 30 days! Ambitious for any age Good for you to do it.
I hope you find a way to keep boating that suits better. Quiet days on some lake or river are good for the soul. C Dory is a great boat for that. Best of luck George
 
Jim,

Sorry to hear of your decision, but it sounds valid. As George said, that was a pretty ambitious trip for thirty days!

On the other hand, C-Brat's have no upper age limit (thank goodness); so keep on 'hangin with the rest of us. Nothing like participating, sharing thoughts and enjoying the C-Brat Family vicariously, eh?

And I can guarantee that C-Brat's are also welcoming at the CBGT's even if you show up "boatless." I speak from experience!

You can withdraw, but you can't UNenlist, we got Ya; boat or no.

Casey
 
Hey Jim, Sounds like a nice trip, one I hope to make some day. And it sounds like you're pushing it to the limit. Thanks for the inspiration. Hugh
 
Jim;
Don't give away the farm just yet. You may not be comfortable doing the "LOOPs", but you can enjoy the fellowships and slower pace the C-Dory Family can offer.

I, too, am at that age and did not have the means when I had my health. Now I have the means and not the health to do the "LOOPs". I do take comfort in what GOD has blesssed me with and enjoy the wonders of HIS Creation every time I am out of my home; especially when I'm aboard Sea Angel, whether on a work rack or cruising around the local waters.

You have been to some awesome destinations and made some wonderful journeys, meeting great people along the way. Those memories can't be underestimated. A sweet fragrance may come your way that will remind you of those times past that will bring a smile and warmth to your heart.

So cherish those times and feel the joy in your heart. Share the aromas, sights and sounds you have experienced with those who were not so blessed. This will bring its own joy.

So, trickle charge your life on the water with those small trips to keep the spirit fed. Be encouraged. I say this not only to you, but reflect on it for myself. :) :)

Art
 
Jim,

The trip you have recently taken in the time mentioned would do in anyone! Let me suggest that you just take it a little slower rather than "give up the ship" so to speak. I would like to invite you and partner to the 2nd annual C-brat gathering on the Mississippi River, 8-10 September. Its not that far a drive from Terre Haute to Guttenberg, Iowa which is 30 miles north of Dubuque. There you will experience some fine fellowship, an historic river village, and the ability to mingle with some great people. Lodging is very inexpensive and available next door to the brand new city marina where most activities will occur. And I'll host your ride aboard a 22' cruiser when we have the "flotilla cruise" on Saturday. What say you?
 
And if you go to Guttenberg, by all means try to stay in the "Button Factory" (if you're not sleeping on a boat...). I don't remember the exact name, but it is one of the neatest places we've stayed in many years.

Casey
 
But I am 67 and just got my wife retired. I'm astounded at how nice it is now to wake up on any given morning and be free to go where we want and when we want and take whatever time it takes to do that. We have a diesel truck, a small fifth wheel and five boats. If we take the C-Dory 22, we don't need the fifth wheel.

As long as we are getting up in the morning, breathing through the day and going to bed at night, it is just as easy to do it with the fifth wheel or the CD. We take a lot of time. In fact, other than fuel, it is cheaper for us to be on the road or on a lake or in a camp ground.

We are learning to simplify, cut back and be relaxed. If we don't feel like traveling for a few days and simply want to hang out at any location on the road or on the water, we do. We can chose to communicate with the world via cell phone or computer almost anywhere we go, or we can turn them off.

Yes, we have 5 grown kids and 14 grand kids, but they are on their own. We visit them on our schedule plenty of times, but if we are away a month or two and don't see them, well then, that is they way it is.

The biggest problem we have had to overcome is the self imposed need to set and meet a schedule because of outside pressures. THERE IS NO OUTSIDE PRESSURE NOW. So we are purposely changing our attitude and not "fabricating" outside pressure.

Now, all that said, there is the money issue. But, as I've said, we are finding that we travel just about as cheap on the road as by staying home.

When we get home from a trip, we wonder what in the heck are we doing in this big old house on over an acre of lawn when we are so happy occupying 100 square feet on our trips. Gotta get rid of this house. It is the only boat anchor that I'm not enjoying.
 
jhayes1068":3i2uclx9 said:
, I've decided to not buy a boat to make the Inside Passage trip.
Click to expand...

This is of course a judgement call and what ever you decide will be a good decision. But, since you were kind enough to post your thoughts, let me give you mine. Just because you have decided not to do the Inside Passage is not necessarily a reason to not buy a boat. We, Dot and I, are older than you. We too had dreams of a long cruise on our 22. When we found handling it was no longer fun, we traded down to a 16. We had at least as much fun on that little boat (and we are two,, well, overweight people). We ran all over Puget Sound and never once wished we could go somewhere we didn't or couldn't. Now we're hunting for the elusive 14, just to putter around Lake Washington and Lake Union and to trailer to some CBGT's. The emotional uplifiting from just being on the water is good enough for us, As for the Inside Passage, we still plan on a nice relaxing cruise(ship) from Seattle every year or so. In the end, which will be here soon enough, it's all relative.
 
potter water":1a5ur70j said:
But I am 67 and just got my wife retired. I'm astounded at how nice it is now to wake up on any given morning and be free to go where we want and when we want and take whatever time it takes to do that. We have a diesel truck, a small fifth wheel and five boats. If we take the C-Dory 22, we don't need the fifth wheel.

As long as we are getting up in the morning, breathing through the day and going to bed at night, it is just as easy to do it with the fifth wheel or the CD. We take a lot of time. In fact, other than fuel, it is cheaper for us to be on the road or on a lake or in a camp ground.

We are learning to simplify, cut back and be relaxed. If we don't feel like traveling for a few days and simply want to hang out at any location on the road or on the water, we do. We can chose to communicate with the world via cell phone or computer almost anywhere we go, or we can turn them off.

Yes, we have 5 grown kids and 14 grand kids, but they are on their own. We visit them on our schedule plenty of times, but if we are away a month or two and don't see them, well then, that is they way it is.

The biggest problem we have had to overcome is the self imposed need to set and meet a schedule because of outside pressures. THERE IS NO OUTSIDE PRESSURE NOW. So we are purposely changing our attitude and not "fabricating" outside pressure.

Now, all that said, there is the money issue. But, as I've said, we are finding that we travel just about as cheap on the road as by staying home.

When we get home from a trip, we wonder what in the heck are we doing in this big old house on over an acre of lawn when we are so happy occupying 100 square feet on our trips. Gotta get rid of this house. It is the only boat anchor that I'm not enjoying.
Click to expand...

Best post I've read in a long long time. Love my kids & grandkids, but here we are finally totally free and still being ruled by that self imposed outside pressure that you so well described. Think we too need a attitude change.

I'm only 63 & have always been a high energy healthy person, but last winter had some health issues that reminded us the time is coming when the adventuring will have to stop & we had better make the best of the time left.

Jim, I too advise slowing down & making adjustments to how you travel & boat instead of thinking your just to old to do the Inland Passage. One thing for sure post like this make me glad we decided to do the Inland Passage even before retirement when though unforgetably enjoyable still very difficult with the time restraints at least then we had the energy to endure when necessary.

Jay
 
This isn't in direct response to Jim's thread, but I thought I'd toss it out.

Several folks have enjoyed touring for weeks/months on the Inside Passage in their own vessels; and truly, it is Fantastic.

On the other hand tens of thousands of folks enjoy "Love Boat" type cruises, and they're fine if that's your cup of tea. And where else can you go and be 'fed 12-15 times per day!

But there is another way to enjoy Southeast Alaska/Inside Passage without challenging your boating skills, fueling and refueling, anchoring, checking weather and all that goes with Cruising in your own boat.

It's call the "Alaska Marine Highway System" (aka: Alaska Ferry).
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml The "ferry" operates twelve months per year, in all weather, and makes regular stops in many of the Southeast Alaskan communities (as well as other locale's). Depending on the level of comfort you want, berths are available, as are dining rooms, snack bars, and even a pub on each ship! If you want a simpler experience you can take a roll-on type suitcase or backpack with sleeping bag and grab a chaise lounge on the aft (covered/heated) "Solarium" on each vessel. And most (possibly all) AMHS ships have free showers and laundromat's (bring quarters...) for passenger's use. The only problem is AMHS doesn't fed you 12-15 times a day (but most of us don't need that anyway!).

When you want to stop at a port - you can get a B&B or a motel, and catch the next Ferry going your way. An even better way to travel is to take your campable vehicle (a truck or VW camper is Perfect) and spend several days exploring in each port before moving onward; but AMHS charges by the foot for vehicles, so it can get expen$ive.

And for wildlife viewing the Ferry is great. Your perch is about 40' UP so you have an even better viewpoint than on a C-Dory (but I hate to admit that).

At some point, if we're lucky, as we age we may all be a little uncomfortable going out on Grand Adventures; on the other hand, there are ways to keep going, safely ... but on Our terms.

Think about it!

Casey
 
There is never too old an age. It is just what you can physically do comfortably. We can no longer maintain the Tom cat, but that does not mean we do not still enjoy boating, and will still use our 18 foot Caracal.
 
Jim,

We bought our 16 after my 70 th. And after my 70 th we went to the Artic Circle in our PU Camper. We took the Ferry down the Inside Passage as suggested. Since then we have travelled in at least 15 states with See-Saw and been on over 20 lakes, the Arkansas and Miss rivers. I'm 74 now and every day I question ,"Will I be able to do this tomorrow?" But I have so far,awoke to a new day, still able to put the CDory in the water. The suggestion to go over to Guttenburg is a good one. We are planning to go
a couple thousand miles to be there, too, and maybe we can give you some different ideas and then you could follow us back to Lake Powell , if all goes well.

The CDory family is always there to help and they are every where, it seems.

Come boat with us on the "cute" boat-- a CDory.

Lyle & Janda
 
I've made a few of those "Lifestyle" changes over the years: moved to a powercruiser (C-Dory) from a sailboat; moved to an "adventure" type motorcycle (V-Strom) from a full-dress bike; and moved from a big house to a small house. The key is to do what fits your current lifestyle, not as an "Oh, we can't do that," but rather a "this is what we want to do NOW." Frankly, you just completed a rather ambitious trip. That same trip by C-Dory, covered over MORE time could be more relaxing AND more interesting. We find that boat cruising is generally more effort than RVing, but we cover fewer miles and enjoy it just as much. As a thought, changing the mission (the Inside Passage) may open lots of new possibilities on the water. Keep an open mind for that C-Dory - it is an amazing "escape vessel."

Good luck with your plans.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Good advice here. Penny and I realized a while ago that we wanted to enjoy some things while we still had good health. So we bought a smaller house and a bigger boat. I still work part-time, but we now have more time to enjoy the things that we once just dreamed about, and sometimes thought that we could not do.
 
Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and suggestions on the "Too Old" thread. Looking back at the trip, except for the nearly 3 days riding on the Columbia from Bellingham to Haines, I did not plan for days to just stay in place and rest, as I should have! Nine years ago it didn't bother me when we completed approximately the same trip, this time "OUCH". During this trip on the Columbia, I spent a lot of hours reading the sea conditions with the intent of improving my knowledge of the route from Bellingham to Skagway. I know sea states can be tough on that trip, but, this trip Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Straight, Dixon Entrance, and Fredrick Sound were relatively calm compared to the two other trips we had taken on the Columbia. Most other areas were choppy to pure glass. My wife ,to that point, had not taken my desire to boat the "passage" seriously until I named every turn the Columbia would make, in advance, to north of Hunter Island, from memory. :D And no, I wouldn't rely on my memory for any part of the trip should I try it!
It was really interesting to watch the Captain of the Columbia complete 3-360 degree circles just after leaving the dock at Bellingham to check the magnetic compass against the electronics on the ship. It turned out that the magnetic compass had a 3 degree error and was recalibrated before we proceded with the trip.
I appreciate the offers to take a ride on your C-Dorys: just had to make me start looking at C-Dorys again, didn't you? :D Thanks, Jim
 
Jim,

There is a saying, I think from Jaques Cousteau, "the Sea, once it casts it's spell, holds one in it's net of wonder, forever". That spell was cast for me when I was a 6 year old in an 8ft plywood dingy, rowing up and down through the marinas and to the islands around Sidney, and somehow I got saltwater in my blood. It has created dreams, some have been accomplished, and some still to come, and some maybe never, but they are still there, and still dreams. For one reason or another, we all have to slow down, at some time and to varying levels. Maybe it is the dream that keeps the spark in the eye. We will make the choice to slow down, and we can make the choice to give up, but we don't have to. We can also make the choice, as has been suggested, to pace ourselves, to take it easy, appreciate where we are, and what we are capable of and to go with that. Being thankful that if we are able to sit up, take nourishment and keep breathing we can keep on. Keeping the dream, keeps the spark.

Go for it, Go to the CBGT, and enjoy. You will meet and make friends, and maybe the right options will come along.

Remember the admonition, "Go west young man, go west." And Johhny Horton added, "North to Alaska" and we have the choice as to how we go, or if we do. Maybe Lake Powell would fit better, or a PNW cruise in the islands, with a group. (See the Broughton thread for who and what's going on up there right now.) Life is full of compromises and options.

Pick what best will work for you, but don't loose that gleam.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

PLI_and_SB_CBGT_2_631.highlight.jpg
 
Hello Jim,

We may not be as far from home as the “Inside Passage”, but we are on the absolutely gorgeous upper Mississippi River.

You and yours, along with everyone else (C-Dory or no C-Dory) are very welcome to attend the Second “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” in Guttenberg, Iowa (September 8, 9 &10) and enjoy yourself with people of like interest.

Great people, great party in a great place.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher
 
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