The great loop adventure

Well, Alexis and I are here in Sarasota, about to continue on our great loop adventure.  The great loop is an approximate 6000 mile boat trip.  For us it began when we left Houma, LA last year for Sarasota, FL.  We left the boat at Longboat Key Marina, and after Christmas, we loaded up a Hertz rental and headed to Sarasota.   From Sarasota, we will head across the Okeechobee  waterway to the east coast of Florida, and then down to Miami.  Then we will cross over to Bimini Island-part of the Bahamas.  We will winter in the Exuma Islands, and in late March head north to the Abacos.  April will mark our departure from the Bahamas, back to Florida.  Then we will head north on the Atlantic ICW to the Chesapeake Bay Area.  From there to the Hudson River in New York, the Erie Canal to Canada, Lake Michigan, Chicago, into the river system, to Mobile, AL, and back to Houma. 

Leaving home for a year is surreal, and we have not fully mentally grasped the fact that we are on the trip yet. For me, it is the first time in 32 years that I do not have office obligations scheduled, a very weird feeling.  Alexis and I have both taken a year sabbatical from work so we can do this trip.
Many have asked, why the loop, why now?  Why now is easy.  December 30th is our 39th wedding anniversary.  We have been working, raising a family, and on life's hamster wheel since then.  We have been blessed with great kids, health and good lives, but the time has come for us to do something different.  We are at a stage where we can financially do this, and are still (hopefully) physically able to do this.  Stan is at the stage where he can handle my caseload, and Alexis' parents are still self sufficient.  It is now or never.  Time to slip the dock lines!  Why the loop?  Alexis and I have been boating since we married eons ago.  We bought our first trawler in 2002, and have enjoyed the cruising lifestyle since then.   We bare-boated a trawler in the Virgin Islands with the kids many years ago, and were hooked.  My grand plan was to cruise the Caribbean down to Trinidad.  Alexis (the more sensible one) came up with the loop idea.  On the loop, we are never far from the US and home.  It is mainly an inland voyage, and necessary things like medication, doctors, etc. are available.  We have attended a looper rendezvous, and all the couples told us they fell in love with the US and with each other again while doing the loop.  It was described as a trip of a lifetime, and a way to see the country from a different perspective.  They also told us to set a date, or we would never get out of the planning stage.  So about four years ago we set 2014 as our target date.  Well it it is here!
I think not seeing the kids and grandkids will be the hardest adjustment, but we have face time, and they will join us on the loop for vacations, and we will come home for grandkid visits.

This blog is our way to share our experiences with friends and family so please check this site for updates.  We are provisioning the boat, and will depart Longboat in the next few days.  Happy New Year in advance to all!