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Hello
Carol-Ann...
I am just writing to say how much I love your website! I am
hopeful of moving in some of the same directions at some point (see below). I
live not too far away, in Mukilteo, north of Seattle. I work in Seattle.
As a former journalist, I have to say that I love your writing.
Great stuff. And I’m picky!
Carol-Ann, my first encounter with your writing was in a doctor’s waiting room,
of all places! I was flipping through the Sept/Oct issue of Power
Cruising Magazine when I found your article on buying a trawler. Loved it!
Now I am trying to find it again, and can’t. For some reason I
cannot open the link on your website. Neither can I find it at the
magazine’s website. Can you help?
The coincidences here are amazing – I love mastiff’s, and hope to get one
someday. I’m an avid scuba diver. I also love the trawler you have
selected. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel, so I will be in touch again
on boats, dogs, maybe even recipes! I hope that’s OK! The article
on buying a trawler would be a great start. Forgive my presumption, but
it will save me a lot of time and trouble, I am sure.
Again, this is the article I am looking for:
The Eagle Has Landed - Power Cruising Magazine - Sept./Oct. 2008
If I need to pay you or the magazine, that would be fine. It would
be worth it!
Thanks so much. You and Rick sound like wonderful people. It would be
great to meet you some day!
Warm regards,
Steve
Hi Carol...I
am a total stranger and I apologize for the intrusion..but I was reading your
stories and I have to say, I loved them! What a wonderful life you and
your husband lead. The reason that I am writing to you, is to ask you if
you have ever been to Mitlenatch. I am a park warden there and it in an amazing
little bird sanctuary up by Campbell River, not too far from Savory Island.
The other thing that I
wanted to ask you about is your x tug boat. Do you know who built it?
I am a genealogist..and I did some work for a 'long distant's' cousins
wife in England, and her branch came to Vancouver in the late 1800's, Moscrops!
There is a road and a school named after them. One of the adult sons who
came over loved steam and built tug boats for a living, right near Grandville
Island but on the Vancouver side. His tug boat is floating (summer only)
at the maritime museum. I found out that he was really good at his
job..so good that he was brought out of retirement to supervise the building of
the RCMP ship LaRoch! A couple of his ships are really famous (the
Master..its the one who as at the Maritime museum in Kits..and it was at
Expo!)........................so I was wondering if the builder of your ship is
Arthur Moscrop!! It would be so cool it if was but I do realize that it
is a long shot.
I see that your husband
and yourself, love diving. My third daughter teaches diving, she now
works in White Rock but has taught in Mexico and the Great Barrier Reef.
She is planning on one day becoming a policeman (or coast guardsman) so
she can use her skills professionally (underwater crime scene management).
Already that little monkey has found human bones!!!
Also, I used to know a
Rick LaBlanc who went to NDSS (North Delta), but that was soooo long ago!
I have also found out that I have LaBlancs in my family tree...they came
out with Samuel Champlain way way back in the early 1600's. So they are
from the East Coast, not Quebec.
I am also a
photographer, its one of my passions in life, mostly wildlife photography, but
I do dabble in other things. So if your husband loves photography, you
both should come to Mitlenatch. Its a bird lovers paradise...also a
photographers!! May is the best time to go to get pictures of the
wildflowers..the birds come from all over and drop a wonderful array of seeds
in the meadow..and then if you come in June the birds are mating...July there
are tiny little birds in the nest and by end of August, most of them are
preparing to leave the nest. You would love it there. I am the only
official photographer for Riefel Island bird sanctuary and I was the
photographer for the princess of Denmark when she came out in April..for five
glorious days!! I was shocked to find out that there were lots of
princess's there as well as first ladies and x first ladies from all over the
world..almost 150 strong! I am sure glad that I didn't know that ahead of
time, I would have been scared half out of my wits.
You are a great
writer..I sure enjoyed your stories! I loved the one in which you describe your
much loved dog. I am not a writer..but..I did write a story for BC
Parks oodles of years ago..it was so scary at the time, and so funny two days
later. If you google "a monster at Alice Lake" ..it should come
up. Always an adventure at BC Parks!!
Thanks ever so much.
Marlene
Johnston - Graham
I thought I'd let you know of a bad experience we had, but with a happy ending.
My husband was attempting a Med tie-up on our Krogen Manatee
into a narrow slip in a strong wind in a marina on the coast of
Needless to say she joins me everytime now to "help with the lines".
Audrey Germain & Russ Kilmer
T-BAAC
Krogen Manatee 36
Hallo,
My name is Chris and I was one of the graduates
from the Coquitlam P&S
boating course, to whom you spoke in January.
My wife and I followed up
on your information about the Salus life
vests primarily with the object
of buying one for our 80 lb Airedale terrier,
Angus. At first there was
no dealer in the Tri Cities, but after I met
a rep. at the Boat Show and
gave her the name of
appointed dealer for the brand. We have our
doggie life jacket now on
order through
publicity you may bring him.
We would like to thank you both for your
interesting talk as well as for
the information leading us to better
protection for our beloved hound.
Regards,
Chris Sedergreen and Trudy Schneider.
Hi,
I just thought I would tell you how much I have enjoyed your website and reading your Summer '06 travel log. Thank-you for sharing your adventures. Not only is it interesting and entertaining reading, but it also helps me plan our own cruise. My wife and I explored as far north as the Broughton Islands aboard Xanadu, our Grand Banks 42, in the summer of 2005. This summer (July and August) we plan to venture past Cape Caution and visit some of the same areas you have written about. If you are cruising north again, possibly we will meet and share stories of boating adventures. We are easily recognized by our unusual yellow boot stripe.
John and Roxana Caples
Olympia, WA
Hello
Carol, Hello Rick,
Colin and Gina Smith here from a small town
called Balingasag, about 50 klms
from the City of Cagayan de Oro,
Mindanao, Southern Philippines.
We own a 41 foot Offshore 41 sailing
Yawl by Cheoy Lee, named "Sea Feather".
I wasn't too sure about the name either
but it has grown on me, and I like
it a lot now.
Current Issues of Sailing/Boating
magazines, to which I admit something of
an addiction, are not available here.
But there are a number of bookshops in
modern Shopping Malls which sell books
and back dated magazines imported
from the States.
I always search the racks, thumbing
through countless copies of "Hot Iron"
or "Diesel Power" and other
fairly obscure publications about Harleys or Hot
Rods, because that is where they hide
any boating magazines that come in.
They are obviously returned unsold
copies from booksellers in the States.
My diligence is normally rewarded with
a find or two. One of the good things
is the price ranges from 50 cents to
$2, far below the retail price and no
distinction seems to be made between
publications. For example I sometimes
find a copy of "Wooden Boat"
which are expensive and so get an even greater
bargain. They range between a few
months and a year or so out of date but
for the sort of magazines I like that
doesn't matter at all.
Another benefit is I find magazines I
would not normally buy or be available
to me in my native Australia. Yesterday
I bought several such magazines
including the March/April 2007 edition
of 'Living Aboard' with your article
"Boating with a Behemoth" and
the March 2007 edition of 'Passage Maker' with
your article on "Popeye" (She
looks a beautiful boat) I enjoyed both
articles immensely and particularly
liked the photographs in the 'Passage
Maker' magazine. I know interior shots
of boats are not the easiest thing to
do well. I wonder if you have any tips
you might share with taking such
shots.
I found your website address in
'Passage Maker' and have just finished
looking at your site and finding out
much about you. Your home port of
Mission looks to be a beautiful place.
We have mountains a plenty here, but
not with snow on them! I thought with
the coincidence of buying 2 different
magazines both with articles from you
and the similarity in our boat names I
should email and say Hello.
I am working hard at becoming a writer
and I have always thought that
boating magazines would be a good place
to start, given my enduring passion
for anything to do with boats and
boating. I intend submitting a story or 2
to "Living Aboard",
encouraged by an article in that same edition. I have
been published in a couple of club
magazines and have an article in the only
Philippine Sailing Magazine
"Cruising News".
Any encouragement and advise would be
gratefully received.
I have been practicing my writing in
various ways, recently by starting a
web page.
If you have time perhaps you would have
a look and I would appreciate any
comments on my writing style and
layout. There are 8 pages in total, one
page called "Sailing Boat 'Sea
Feather'" is hidden behind the 'Search' tab
in the top right hand corner. You can
still access it, it comes out of
hiding if you jiggle your pointer
around a bit or further down the page is a
link to all pages in a list form.
www.magcimagicol.wordpress.com/
Hope to hear from you.
Kind Regards from Cagayan de Oro
Colin and Gina Smith S/V Sea Feather
Rick,
I enjoyed
reading your wife’s article. If you are the same Rick who used to work at
CSA, then I think I dove with you and Jim at
I told my
wife about your website. The two of you put most of us to shame on
keeping a log of your travels. It is great! I’m having my kids
review it.
I too have
taken up boating, but I must say we don’t get out nearly as much as you – or do
we have the space that Sea Foam offers you.
Perhaps
we’ll run into you both one day on the water….
Hi
I liked your slide show. A comment would be to show where Fish Egg Inlet is on a chart and it’s relation to the other places in the show. I felt frustrated not knowing the overview. Also, an advertisement regarding ‘getting you there so you too can experience it…’ would be a possible addition.
I live in Jervis Inlet and I tend an oyster farm there. I would be happy to have you come over for a
prawn feast. I have a 25 ft Hunter
sailboat which I stay on during my days off.
I bought it in
Hi there. I just looked through your slide show after receiving your email with it enclosed. What else to say other than wow! Great job putting the show together. Amazing quality and amazing scenery. It sure makes me miss my commercial days up north. I have said it before but it is a rare individual or pair of whom takes the plunge to see our amazing coast. I followed your log with great interest and would be lying if I said without envy. Thank you for the update. I really wish more people could see your work and have to admit sharing it with a good number of people of whom I know. The one comment that has been repeated is that you folks will write a great book one day. A funny discussion came about after that comment. I was at work talking with a coastal pilot friend of mine as well as the crew of a berthing tug after they had brought a vessel into our port. We were discussing how B.C. has produced some amazing authors and great stories about our coast as well as what was on our bookshelves. We all came to the conclusion that there have been a number of people who had lived the west coast adventure but so few that have told the story. I also found out that just about everybody in the discussion knew of your trip and site. I guess pacific yachting is on the table of tugs and freighters as well. Any way, thank you for the update and best of luck in the future. Fair winds and calm seas. George
Congratulations on an extremely
well done slide show presentation!
Hi,
I read you article and I was
wondering why you changed to an Eagle
from your former boat. How do
you like it so far? What didn't you like about your Californian?
I hope to purchase a yacht
in a year or two and I am trying to research the field before buying.
Thanks for your help.
Hello Folks,
Read your
article in PY August 2006 Re: Prevost Island Impression very cool. Also checked
out your website, you guys are living my dream! I was born and raised in
Jim
Carol Ann,
Loved the
article in Pacific Yachting and had a great read of your website.
My husband
and I are newbie cruisers having purchased a 30’ Sea Ray this year, our largest
boat to date. Our intention is to explore the
I bought an
electric down-rigger for my husband’s birthday and we can’t wait to start
fishing and also hunt for shellfish. We purchased a crab trap and have dropped
it once in
Having
become Power Squadron members last winter and after reading stacks of articles
relating to boating, it has almost become an intimidating enterprise so it was
refreshing to know we
We’ve been
to
Thanks for
the input – keep writing!
Cheers,
Karen
I just finished reading your
article in Pacific Yachting and checking out your web site, awesome!!!! good for you guys, I'm so happy to hear and read that things are going well for you
guys, we haven't done near the boating
that we've wanted to this year, most of
our "short" weekends are spent up in Indian Arm. And I haven't been able to do any diving
since my last trip to the San Juan’s in March, have some medical problems but I
should be back under the water mid- Oct if things go well, I did get my 100th dive in before having to
stop though. Anyways, just wanted to say hi to you both and hope you're
enjoying your summer, tickle a basket star for me and give Kona a butt rub. All
the best, your first dive buddy!!!
Rick
and Carol-Ann:
I was
wondering if you had some time to answer a few questions in regards to
living aboard an Eagle 40.
After reading
your article and visited your website; we thought you might be our best
resource in providing real and meaningful feedback on the Eagle 40.
Jan and I
(married for 31 years) have been looking at boats over the past two
years. I would like to live aboard and do full time cruising, Jan
still wants to have a land base of some sort as well as having a boat (I don't
know if that option is affordable).
We live in
We are
though going to look at a 1999 Eagle 40 this weekend to see if it is suitable
for us and if it is in as nice of shape as the owner says it is?
So if you
have some time to correspond on the Eagle, in general, there are some questions
I would appreciate your feedback on:
1.
How do you like the Eagle?
2.
How does she handle heavy seas and rough weather.
3. Do
you find the space for live aboard (I realize you went from a 36' to this 40'
PH)
4.
Would you have an opinion as to what a person should pay for a loaded,
well kept 1999 single stateroom model Eagle 50.
5.
Are there any issues, concerns or problems which were inherent with the Eagle
40; or are there items I should be looking for when I view the boat?
6.
The other main problem is finding moorage in the Lower Mainland or
Would you
happen to know of any spaces available - anywhere?
Your time
and input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Craig &
Jan
Hello!
We are
sooooo excited.... our March issue of
I imagine that you will probably receive your copy today also. It is seven pages, lots of wonderful photos, and I don't believe that they did any editing at all! (if they did, the changes are not significant ones)
Ron picked it up from our mailbox and drove right to town and brought it to my office! We sat down and read the article
together. We are "all smiles"!
Thanks again,
Ron and Sue
Hi Carol-Ann.
My name is Terry. My wife Marilyn and I cruise on a 25'
Albin in the summer when she is not teaching. We began cruising 7 years
ago in our 20' Howie Heritage sailboat with a couple of short trips from
For the first summer we cruised the entire
Because our time is limited and also to avoid the long trip
across the strait, we are considering trailing the boat to the
By the way, you might be interested to know that there is an
Albin club which has 69 boats registered, mostly all 25' and built in
the mid-70's, and active in the Southern Gulf Islands. Some of
the boats have been to
Enjoyed your article, and with some searching, your website.
Will be checking it and the
Thanks, Terry
P.S. Marilyn and I were slated to crew last summer on a
delivery trip from