rick&sue
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2014
- Messages
- 135
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-248 C
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2506J607
- Vessel Name
- POPEYE
This trip was the biggest journey we have made with the boat. Departing May 13th, we drove I 90 from Wisconsin to Bellingham, Washington. The guys at Hilton Harbor were very accommodating. They allowed us to drive into their lot, stay overnight, and sling the boat into the water the next day for a reasonable price, so I did not have to back the trailer into salt water. We stored the trailer at The Landings at Colony Wharf. We were able to park the truck at Squalicum Harbor. We departed the next day for Customs at Bedwell Harbor and on to Sydney. Stayed two days visiting the city and Butchart Gardens (a most beautiful place for sure). We overnighted at Montague Harbor Marine Park and Newcastle Island Marine Park. Then on to Nanaimo Port Authority Marina. We cruised to John Henry’s at Pender Harbor, then on to Chatterbox falls for two nights (the most amazing place in the world). We experienced Bioluminescence both nights - that was a new experience for us! Next was Powell River for fuel and an overnight, then to Desolation Sound and Prideaux Haven, Blind Channel Resort and Marina, Lagoon Cove Marina (another fantastic place to visit).
On to Port McNeil for fuel and to wait for a weather window to cross Cape Caution - which was the next day. We departed in first light, made the crossing safely, rode the swell and waves into Fury Cove where we stayed over night. Headed up to Ocean Falls - very interesting ghost town. Cruised from there to Shearwater where we waited out a gale. Bottleneck Inlet next, then on to Bishop Bay for a soaking in the hot springs. Just don’t tie up to the work barge that is tied to the dock - the boys were not happy with me at 10:30 at night when they returned! We anchored in the harbor for the rest of the night and headed to Hartley Bay for fuel and to visit the First Nations Town. Cruised to East Inlet for an overnight anchorage then on to Prince Rupert. We then took the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry to Juneau, where we rented a car and spent the day at the Mendenhall Glacier. We then took the ferry to Bellingham, picked up our truck and trailer - The seagulls used the truck for target practice - what a mess!!! Took time to visit the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum. Then headed up the SEA to SKY highway to Prince Rupert to get the boat. We traveled across Canada back to home, got stuck on the road between Jasper and Banff in a snowstorm. We fired up the Wallas stove/heater and played cards in the boat, waiting 6 hours for the snow plows to come through. We were not expecting snow at the end of June!! We made it home with one flat tire on the trailer about 100 miles from home and another flat tire while it sat in our driveway!
We met many fantastic people along the whole trip. For a couple of flatlanders from Wisconsin - the beauty of the mountains, channels and fjords are astounding! The whales, dolphins, orcas, seals and bald eagles were amazing to watch. We had good weather for most of the trip. We put almost 120 hours on the boat and nearly 6000 miles on the truck and trailer. These trailerable tugs are fantastic travel machines, I strongly recommend that every tug owner trailer to Washington and experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Learning how the Canadian weather forecasting system works and dealing with currents and tides was a real education! Thanks to everyone on this Forum for the help and information that I gathered to plan and make this trip successful. Now..... planning to cruise the ICW from Florida to Washington DC next spring....... Will need more help on this one!
On to Port McNeil for fuel and to wait for a weather window to cross Cape Caution - which was the next day. We departed in first light, made the crossing safely, rode the swell and waves into Fury Cove where we stayed over night. Headed up to Ocean Falls - very interesting ghost town. Cruised from there to Shearwater where we waited out a gale. Bottleneck Inlet next, then on to Bishop Bay for a soaking in the hot springs. Just don’t tie up to the work barge that is tied to the dock - the boys were not happy with me at 10:30 at night when they returned! We anchored in the harbor for the rest of the night and headed to Hartley Bay for fuel and to visit the First Nations Town. Cruised to East Inlet for an overnight anchorage then on to Prince Rupert. We then took the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry to Juneau, where we rented a car and spent the day at the Mendenhall Glacier. We then took the ferry to Bellingham, picked up our truck and trailer - The seagulls used the truck for target practice - what a mess!!! Took time to visit the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum. Then headed up the SEA to SKY highway to Prince Rupert to get the boat. We traveled across Canada back to home, got stuck on the road between Jasper and Banff in a snowstorm. We fired up the Wallas stove/heater and played cards in the boat, waiting 6 hours for the snow plows to come through. We were not expecting snow at the end of June!! We made it home with one flat tire on the trailer about 100 miles from home and another flat tire while it sat in our driveway!
We met many fantastic people along the whole trip. For a couple of flatlanders from Wisconsin - the beauty of the mountains, channels and fjords are astounding! The whales, dolphins, orcas, seals and bald eagles were amazing to watch. We had good weather for most of the trip. We put almost 120 hours on the boat and nearly 6000 miles on the truck and trailer. These trailerable tugs are fantastic travel machines, I strongly recommend that every tug owner trailer to Washington and experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Learning how the Canadian weather forecasting system works and dealing with currents and tides was a real education! Thanks to everyone on this Forum for the help and information that I gathered to plan and make this trip successful. Now..... planning to cruise the ICW from Florida to Washington DC next spring....... Will need more help on this one!