Association Forum - Living on board full time & going South (PART 15)

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General Sailing Forum

Living on board full time & going South (PART 15)

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/24/2007 : 17:04:55

If any one would have mentioned that our trip would “Someday” come to an end we would have smiled and said, “oh yeah... it's still a long time off...!!”. But sure enough, staying at an RV park in Edson, Alberta we realize that we are indeed nearing the end. Our first end destination is Smithers, BC. We will travel another 1000 km on the Yellow Head (Hwy 16) which will take us to North Central BC. There we'll spend two weeks with the grandkids in Smithers while the parents take a break. After that , the distance to our initial starting point in Langley will be roughly 1100 km bringing the total distance traveled with the “road and float equipment”, to about 25,000 km or roughly 17,000 miles.

Interestingly enough we spent, of the entire year “Living on board full time and going South”, roughly 6 months on the road and 6 months in the water. The well used phrase of “Trailer Sailors”, would be very appropriate as applied to our trip.

Our '95 C250 WB which we call home has been a comfortable means of traveling both by road and water... Of course it would have been nice to have had more head room, refrigeration, 3 element stove, a full head, air conditioning, more storage space, etc but... given the overall all size of the boat it would have been impossible to accommodate all these luxuries. However, the ease and weight of towing, use of the swim ladder to get on and off, launching and retrieving, sailing and performance as well as the simple and pleasing lines of the boat more than compensate.

After all the time we have spent in “Someday Lady”, we would change little on the basic design and apart from some personal functional additions we love the open lay-out of the boat ... in fact we love everything about her. Our heartfelt compliments to Catalina for the design of the C250 WB!!

But... we are not yet done with this trip... another month to go and still enjoy every minute of it...

3953 CLEAN UP AT PORT SEVERN BEFORE HAULING OUT

Stepping back a little in time... Once the truck and trailer were retrieved from Port Hope, after completing the Trent/Severn Waterway, we loaded the boat back on the trailer in Port Severn using a natural sloped ramp rock formation without a problem. That same day we towed the boat the 400 km (250 miles) to Little Current on Manitoulin Island in Northern Lake Huron. Checking phone messages there, we learned of the unexpected death of one of our dear friends. Without hesitation we decided to return to the Toronto area to attend the funeral. After some phone calls the boat was stored locally with the Jansen's (people we knew from way back) on Manitoulin Island.

3988 VISIT WITH TANTE ALIE JANSEN

Hans Hoddenbagh's funeral held in Ajax, Ontario was attended by well over 500 people. We were not surprised at the number since he was very much loved and known in all kinds of circles including his work for retirement homes, camps and churches. Hans also performed our marriage ceremony some 40 ago. His 6 children and 25 plus grandchildren conducted a heart touching service.

BOAT AT JANSEN FARM IN LITTLE CURRENT, ONT.

4039 HUSTLE AND BUSTLE IN LITTLE CURRENT

Returning back to Manitoulin Island we had our hearts set to sail the North Channel from Little Current to “the Pool” but poor weather and ”not to be ignored” invitations to visit old friends kept us on the dry for an entire week. We had a great time visiting Bill and Martha Heinen, the entire Jansen family and Veronica (Van Noppen) while staying comfortably in the boat on the Jansen's farm. Again the weather prevented us from launching and sailing the few days remaining before having to leave the area to begin the long drive across the country heading West. Boats from all over the continent, (it was rumored that Bill Clinton's sailboat docked “just a day ago”), frequent Little Current including the so-called “ Great Loopers”. We vow to come back and spend an entire summer in this fresh water sailing heaven with its unlimited islands and destinations with water so clear that the bottom is visible at 60 or more feet.

4050 LAKE SUPERIOR

4062 NORTHERN ONTARIO

Driving through the vastness of Northern Ontario is an experience all by itself. The area is a remote wilderness with lakes, forests and multicolored granite. Help is far away if a breakdown would occur. But nothing untoward happened and we finally hit the prairies to cross Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, a distance of some 1500 km (1000 miles). We admire the ripeness of the summer crops with its many hues and colors interspersed with towns and grain elevators, all under a “big sky”. Travel average per day is about 500 km which allows some time to explore the area on foot or by bike... Night comes early as we struggle to keep an eye open past 9:30 p.m.

4066 PRAIRIE SCENE

4088 CANOLA IN BLOOM

From Edson, Alberta our trip on Hwy 16 will take us through the Rocky Mountains. We anticipate stops in famous Jasper National Park, our drive further West towards the coast through Prince George. and the arrival with the kids in Smithers B.C. I'm sure that the last hours driving will seem the longest!! Then... after two or so weeks in Smithers we'll head for Vancouver to prepare for the upcoming 350 booth horticultural trade show where our boat will be featured in full glory with a theme of “sailing into the future”. After all this “road sailing”, the boat will need some tender loving care before being “show ready”.

4092 IRRIGATION ON A GRAND SCALE

Along our way we'll discuss in more detail our next travel dreams which may include sailing Europe, the Orient, the Great Loop in Canada and the USA... or just staying home in Langley for a while.

In the meantime...
Love you all

Henk for Johanna too

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2007 : 21:08:12

So how are those bikes holding up?

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2007 : 07:51:25

Henk and Johanna,
Leslie and I have greatly enjoyed every posting of your trip and are very taken by your adaptability to the various adversities and challenges that presented themselves and to your never ending enthusiasm. Thank you.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2007 : 11:37:35

Henk, I'm so glad you got to spend a month with us down here. Now put together a book like I did for our adventure cruise. I'd like an autographed copy!

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2007 : 14:07:15

I would second the call for a book. Wonderful writing Henk, and great photos. Thanks for it all!

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.