Bob, In keeping with your thoughts on crowds, last year we left from Everett, where "Whippersnap" lives, and went up past Oak Harbor through Skagit Bay, and the Deception Pass area. There's really quite a bit of cool stuff (a hikeable undeveloped park island, Deception Pass state park with floats& Launch ramp) right around Skagit Bay. Its in protected waters, there's way less crowds, and people could launch from La Conner on the Mainland, or at Deception Pass Park on Whidbey. for what its worth Loyd Myers M-17 #334 "Whippersnap" p.s. you'd want to have your tide/current tables handy -- its a kick to look down at the GPS and see that you're doing 8 knots over ground ;) Bob Olson wrote:
Harvey,
I wasn't thinking too hard when I suggested a "get-together" at one of big lakes in eastern washington. About the only two that come to mind are Moses and Chelan. I just thought I'd throw the idea in the hopper -- Idaho is just a bit too far for me to go from the Seattle area unless it were planned as a serious vacation. Although, I'm sure Idaho lakes are way more scenic as would be the San Juans.
If a San Juan Island trip is a possibilty, my preference would be to do it in short jaunts rather than trying to make Friday Harbor in a day from Anacortis. In fact, I'd probably avoid San Juan Island all together -- nothing but a huge tourist trap IMHO. I'd go for a destination on one of the less popular Islands. Maybe to a marina that the less adventurous or time-restricted could get to by ferry. That's about the only input I have on that one.
Bob M-15 "Piccolo"
Larry, Bob, (and all NW M_boat sailors),
I like your idea of maybe two NW get togethers, ( I don't think I can spell rendezvous right too many times :)
Deena and I were aced out of our trip up to your neighborhood, last fall, (so we are still looking forward to a trip up there some time this summer. It sure would be fun to see a Montgomery fleet on one of those N Idaho lakes. I would need to build some skill and confidence before I set out in the San Juans comfortably, but I do love that area. I grew up on Vancouver Island and spent many a day out on the water there in an 8 foot dingy.
Bob, you mentioned considering one of the big eastern Washington lakes. That might be closer for any of the Oregon folks that may be interested. I would be interested in knowing which ones you are thinking of?
The only one I know anything about is Chelan. It's a BIG lake, nice clear water, deep, with very steep rocky shores except at each end. There are Forest Service camping sites along the middle and upper thirds, and accommodations at the lower end, ( Chelan area ) that range form basic Super 8 Motel to some very fine (read expensive) resorts and Bed and Breakfasts. The upper end at Stehekin does have accommodations too, and it has campgrounds, and lodges and B&B establishment. Most of those reserve early in the season would be my guess. There would be some better anchorages up there, however that is a 55 mile sail from Chelan and 30 mile up lake from the State Park at 25 mile Creek.
There are two spots on the rivers down near us that do have pretty reliable winds. One on the Columbia, at Hat Rock State park just up river from McNary Dam by Hermiston, Oregon. There is a private RV park just about a mile from the park and launch site there, and about 15 - 25 miles of river sailing or more if you wanted to go all the way up to Tri-Cities ( Pasco, Kennewick, & Richland ) to where the Snake runs into the Columbia. The other would be at Charbanou (?spelling ) about 8 miles up the Snake River past Ice harbor Dam. This is where the Tri-Cities Yacht Club sails out of. There is navigable river from there for about ( from memory ) 30 - 40 miles up the river. Neither of these have the nice clean clear water of any of the previously mentioned lakes.
There is all I know for now. Ideas. Lets hear from the rest too. We need lots of input, and it sure will be fun to get together, anywhere.
Harvey & Deena M-15 #348 PELICAN Walla Walla, WA
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