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Post by onepaddlejunkie on Dec 14, 2016 17:01:54 GMT -8
Well - well, look what happened while I was gone. Looks nice in here. I see names that I remember in spite of incipient Alzheimer's. Or maybe it's just CRS due to old age. I hope everyone has been well while I was out of touch and have been able to get out and go all they wanted. I may be rounding back into shape and plan on getting out some this winter and I'm working on a long trip this next spring. While I was gone, I suffered through a third shoulder surgery, 4 eye surgeries, foot surgery, a bout of sitting in my recliner feeling sorry for myself and eating chocolate chip cookies until I got fat as a hog. I decided that life can't continue like this so I went on a diet and started working out to the extent I was able. I managed to drop 43 pounds and I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. I'm trying to put together a paddling trip from the US - Canadian border to Anchorage Alaska roughly along the route of the Alaska Marine Highway. So far I haven't found anyone who has the time to go and my wife insists that I don't go alone. She did say she was going to take me to the Vet and have me chipped so if they found my chip in a pile of bear poop, she could collect my life insurance. There will be a bunch of days when you would be wind bound on that trip and being wind bound would provide an opportunity to put on your backpack and head east to see what you could see. I don't plan on being in a hurry and I only make it to Juno, that would be OK too. I really want to take this trip while I am still able. I intend to check back and look forward to posting if I think I have anything of value to add to the conversation.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,894
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Post by zeke on Dec 14, 2016 17:10:18 GMT -8
Welcome back! Surprises never cease to amaze me. How'd you find us?
I moved to Florida, and am kayaking all Winter. Have BP'ing plans for Spring and Summer. Bike plans for Sept or Oct. Other than that, not much news from my end.
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Post by onepaddlejunkie on Dec 14, 2016 17:37:20 GMT -8
Thanks Zeke. I went looking for backpacking forums and found my way back. Just lined up on it and walked straight.
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Post by trinity on Dec 14, 2016 19:17:07 GMT -8
Welcome back, I remember you from the old forum, and I'm glad you found your way back. Paddling trip sounds amazing--wish I had the time. Maybe in a decade or so when my boy heads off to college and I retire.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,709
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 14, 2016 22:41:04 GMT -8
Welcome back, both to the forums and back to being active.
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,213
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Post by reuben on Dec 15, 2016 3:30:36 GMT -8
opj, welcome back!
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bp2go
Trail Wise!
California
Posts: 1,329
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Post by bp2go on Dec 15, 2016 6:31:23 GMT -8
I knew that name was familiar! Your paddle plan sounds epic. I know you will want to check this post to see a preview of what's in store. Then read TJCeeJay earlier posts to see where you will want to stop on your way up.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Dec 15, 2016 8:55:37 GMT -8
Welcome back!
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Post by onepaddlejunkie on Dec 15, 2016 11:27:00 GMT -8
Thanks for the welcome back all. Feels like coming home. Thanks for the links bp2go. Butedale looks like a must stop. I was already thinking about Bella Bella and Prince Rupert as potential resupply points. There's an upper level limit on the amount of "stuff" you can haul in a 17' solo canoe and you need to buy more SPAM somewhere.
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TJCeeJay
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Take a hike!
Posts: 66
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Post by TJCeeJay on Dec 17, 2016 23:01:06 GMT -8
Thanks for the welcome back all. Feels like coming home. Thanks for the links bp2go. Butedale looks like a must stop. I was already thinking about Bella Bella and Prince Rupert as potential resupply points. There's an upper level limit on the amount of "stuff" you can haul in a 17' solo canoe and you need to buy more SPAM somewhere. I can definitely recommend Butedale as a stopping spot! And Bella-Bella too. (Or rather, Shearwater.) Shearwater is a few minutes from Bella-Bella, by the Shearwater Water-Bus. It is also more kayaker friendly than Bella-Bella. They have a general store, (very well stocked) a laundromat, showers, a hotel (if you want to go that route for a night or two), and if ya wanna camp, plenty of places to set up a tent. (Just watch out for all the friendly dogs!) There is also an excellent restaurant / pub where I may have spent an hour or two while recovering from a severe burn last winter. (My woodstove back-drafted on my hand here at Butedale, last Dec. and I got a free Coast Guard ride to Bella-Bella's hospital; then stayed at the Shearwater Hotel for 2 weeks recuperating.) Fantastic people at Shearwater, all 'round! They are also used very often by kayakers as a food drop-off point. There is regular mail service there, and you can send yourself a food parcel which they will store for you at the General Store / Post Office. The Seattle / Vancouver to Ketchikan / Anchorage run is a fairly popular trip. Many groups do it every year, (and most stop here for a dry night in a real bed!) So it shouldn't be too difficult to find someone also looking for a paddling partner. I figure the paddling forums would be a good place to start. Hope to see ya here at Butedale this Summer! Cheers!
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Post by absarokanaut on Dec 18, 2016 7:23:59 GMT -8
Congratulations on your corporeal reformation. I haven't ever had any excuses, need to do it myself again and stop the cycle. I was thinking about getting back into kayaking or canoeing for the first time in years, but not so much on the creeks as our numerous large lakes in the region. If I get skinny enough who knows.
That sounds like an awesome trip and although I don't know TJCeeJay I always enjoy his posts. The stuff he and Mike/GoBlue, who I also haven't met, posted is amazing. That waterfall with him in the kayak in front on the flat water is one of the more humbling/inspiring images ever posted in these pages and the ones at backpacker. However, just to be safe: If eiether of them turns out to be a psychopath you can't say I never raised the possibility. Then again I could be a psychopath, you never know.
Junkie,
May you find the best of partners and have the wind at your backs and the tides in your favor. May every harbor welcome you as a brother, and may every stroke of the journey start and end with a wide smile,
John
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Post by onepaddlejunkie on Dec 18, 2016 17:58:02 GMT -8
Thanks folks. I knew there was a reason to come back here. I'ts the good people and that's all I know about that!
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Post by hikerjer on Dec 18, 2016 18:32:42 GMT -8
Nice to have you back. Welcome to the boards again from the Big Sky Country.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,709
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 18, 2016 21:30:09 GMT -8
However, just to be safe: If eiether of them turns out to be a psychopath you can't say I never raised the possibility. Then again I could be a psychopath, you never know. I think I can vouch for BlueBear. As for TJCeeJay, we know he's a little nuts, because that's probably a requirement to do what he does (hmm...same could be said for BlueBear. And maybe me. This is looking hopeless).
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TJCeeJay
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Take a hike!
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Post by TJCeeJay on Dec 18, 2016 22:59:48 GMT -8
However, just to be safe: If eiether of them turns out to be a psychopath you can't say I never raised the possibility. Then again I could be a psychopath, you never know. I think I can vouch for BlueBear. As for TJCeeJay, we know he's a little nuts, because that's probably a requirement to do what he does (hmm...same could be said for BlueBear. And maybe me. This is looking hopeless). Psychopath? Nahhh! Might have a bout of cabin fever occasionally, But I think I'm mostly sane. Mostly. Come, come visit Butedale! It'll be fiiiiine... Cheers!
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