Destination Lake Chelan, Washington
Here I go getting ahead of myself again, we haven't actually left yet, but I think we will leave next Sunday. My lack of formal planning is running the show, at least the next trip, but I do have a method to my madness. First off the reason we are leaving next week is my son Jaiden just got back from Boy Scout summer camp and his mother thought he should have a week at home. (not my idea at all) We're leaving on a Sunday because I think Lake Chelan State Park will be less busy Sunday afternoon. I'm hopeful lots of people will be heading home. We don't need a camp site but we do need to park our car and trailer at the boat ramp parking lot. My plan (ok I got a plan) is to drive for six hours rig the sailboat and plunk her in the water on Sunday. Hopefully there will be room at the dock if they allow dock parking, if not, a buoy, if no buoy's, we have anchors and a dinghy. read more >>>
Monday morning we will take care of what ever paper work, fees, parking, last minute shopping and then cast off heading north on the fifty miles of Lake Chelan. I have planned loosely for two days heading up lake and then two days heading down lake, staying at a number of boat in only camp grounds. I would like to make it all the way to Stehekin but will make that decision while underway. My research has discovered that the last half (25 miles ) of the lake is without roads and only accessible by boat and plane. The far end of the lake has a resort with groceries and gas most likely at high prices. I have not been able to determine the wind on the lake, my concern is that it blows only one direction making one way easy and the other a real uphill time consuming gas guzzing slog. We will bring with us 12 gallons of gas, with no outside influence (wind and current) I can tweak out 120 miles at about 4 mph, with a favorable wind we can knock off 6 mph if lucky. With a nasty headwind we may want to carefully consider our options. I think we will bring food and drink for a week, but I'm expecting only four days on the water.
When we get back I will add to this blog and write what really happened.
what really happenned
Oh Boy, I'm a little embarrassed, we came home after only two days because the sailing was not any good.
I quickly read what I already posted and realize I had great expectations, so coming home after two nights seems like I'm a quitter.
In defense of Lake Chelan; It is a wonderful lake and I am planning a return trip someday, but I will bring a power boat, ski boat, wake boat, but not a sailboat. The lake water is crystal clear, its so nice you want to jump in it, take it home in a bottle, or just drink it. The bottom and all along the shoreline is granite rocks from small gravel up to some small boulders. We never anchored but I suspect it would not work well with our Danforth, a grappling hook or rock anchor would be in order.
The two days we were there the wind was not around, until after dark, and then it came up ferociously as did the waves. Most docks we visited or motored past have nasty, nasty wave action.
Monday morning we will take care of what ever paper work, fees, parking, last minute shopping and then cast off heading north on the fifty miles of Lake Chelan. I have planned loosely for two days heading up lake and then two days heading down lake, staying at a number of boat in only camp grounds. I would like to make it all the way to Stehekin but will make that decision while underway. My research has discovered that the last half (25 miles ) of the lake is without roads and only accessible by boat and plane. The far end of the lake has a resort with groceries and gas most likely at high prices. I have not been able to determine the wind on the lake, my concern is that it blows only one direction making one way easy and the other a real uphill time consuming gas guzzing slog. We will bring with us 12 gallons of gas, with no outside influence (wind and current) I can tweak out 120 miles at about 4 mph, with a favorable wind we can knock off 6 mph if lucky. With a nasty headwind we may want to carefully consider our options. I think we will bring food and drink for a week, but I'm expecting only four days on the water.
When we get back I will add to this blog and write what really happened.
what really happenned
Oh Boy, I'm a little embarrassed, we came home after only two days because the sailing was not any good.
I quickly read what I already posted and realize I had great expectations, so coming home after two nights seems like I'm a quitter.
In defense of Lake Chelan; It is a wonderful lake and I am planning a return trip someday, but I will bring a power boat, ski boat, wake boat, but not a sailboat. The lake water is crystal clear, its so nice you want to jump in it, take it home in a bottle, or just drink it. The bottom and all along the shoreline is granite rocks from small gravel up to some small boulders. We never anchored but I suspect it would not work well with our Danforth, a grappling hook or rock anchor would be in order.
The two days we were there the wind was not around, until after dark, and then it came up ferociously as did the waves. Most docks we visited or motored past have nasty, nasty wave action.
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