Loop ruminations.

Well, we made it to Seabrook Marina in New Orleans.  We will leave the boat here to have the yard chip away at our running repair list.  It is a truly weird feeling to get behind the wheel of a car to drive home.  So, here are some final thoughts about the Loop.

Both Alexis and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and would recommend the Loop to any boating couple who both want to do it.  We saw parts of America (as well as Canada and the Bahamas) that we would not normally have visited.  The people along the way were friendly, accommodating and fun (even the non-boaters who hang out on city docks).  The fellow boaters we met along the way were super, and we have made new lifelong friends.  I know it sounds corny, but we have a renewed sense of pride in our country.  People are largely good, and while there are certainly regional differences, our country is much more cohesive than we thought.  Stepping out of our bubble, and turning off 24 hour news was exhilarating.  We experienced the country for ourselves, rather than forming opinions from the news, which invariably slants to the negative.  So the best part of the trip was the people.  And those who know me will find that strange as I was not exactly a “people person” before the trip, having become somewhat of a cynic. 

The best advice we received before the trip was to untie the lines and go.  Don’t wait for the optimal time, as it will never happen.  Five years ago we set 2014 as our target date, and joined America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA).   We kept to the plan and set sail Jan 1.  Of course life did not stop for us, and we had some knocks during the year.  But that is life, and who knows what next year will bring?  So we whole heartily give the same advice to those who want to do this or any other life event.  Do it while you are physically able.  Set a date and go for it!  

The hardest part of the trip was missing family and friends.  Strangely, the blog was very cathartic for me, and the comments you sent back were heartwarming (even the nasty ones!).  I wish we could have had more visitors during the year, but scheduling trips was a moving target as our destinations varied with weather, repairs, etc. 

My biggest surprise was my deficient knowledge of American history.  I thought I was fairly knowledgeable-not.    We learned so much about the demographics and history of the Bahamas, US and Canada.  It was fun and enlightening! 

My favorite region was the Exumas.  Alexis’ was the river system from the Hudson through the Trent- Severn Waterway.  There was no part of the trip we did not like. 

For those of you considering the trip we offer this free advice.  Join AGLCA and follow the discussion board, read the recommended books, and go to a rendezvous to meet and hear from Loopers.  Take everything you hear with a grain of salt, as your Loop will be, well, yours.  Some people take years to complete it, others months.  Some like certain regions over others and will linger at their favorite place.  If you want to start an argument, ask several Loopers what is the best boat for the Loop.  We won’t shut up and debate the merits of big vs small, single vs twin, walk around vs full cabin, pilot house vs aft cabin and on and on.  The best boat is your boat!  We met one Canadian couple doing the Loop in canoes, and one guy single handing on a 60 plus foot Hatteras, and everything in-between (including several sailboats).  Go with what is comfortable for you. 

Loopers come in all shapes and sizes.  Alexis and I are probably the average age (59).  There were younger and older couples, some well to do, others on a shoestring budget.  We met one guy single handling, and one gal also single handling.  While most Loopers are couples, we met a few who would have a family member or friend on board helping.   There are Loopers of different races, religions and sexual orientation.  We met English, German, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Loopers.  All in all Loopers are an eclectic bunch! 

 Besides diesel, the biggest expense for us was dining out and marina fees.  Many choose to cook on board more and save money.  While we cooked on board a lot, we also experienced the local fare.  We anchored out about 40% of the time, and stayed at marinas or city docks the rest of the time.  Obviously, the big cities such as New York take a chuck out of the old budget, but what an experience doing them on your own boat!

Boating experience, or the lack thereof, is always a big question.  We met couples who read about the Loop, bought their first boat and set sail.  Usually, the first part of the trip was very stressful for these couples, but they then would learn the routine and settle into a groove.  The couples who had some boating experience usually fared better in the beginning.  The biggest stressor (and surprise for some) is that this trip is work.  You are not on a cruise ship.  You are the captain, crew, navigator, mechanic, galley hand, travel agent and radio operator all in one.  There is not much time for sitting on the beach.  The most common complaint was from Loopers who expected more free time.  Not to blow our own horn, but this is not an average trip.  You must know the rules of the road (Coast Guard regs), seamanship, navigation, and proper ship to ship communication procedures to do this.  We had cruised our boat for several years before embarking on the Loop, so were familiar with how she handled.  Still, when entering an unfamiliar waterway, we had our moments of stress.  Never, ever, make fun of a fellow boater who crashes into the dock, as the very next day it will be you.  God has a sense of humor!  All that is part of the experience so expect it and enjoy the ride. 

The biggest question I now get is how will you go back to work?  Well, I have to, and my new persona will kick in-don’t worry, be happy. 

Alexis and I thought that a good way to close out the blog is to list some of the boaters we met.  Most all boaters have “boat cards” our substitute for business cards.  Here are a few we collected along the way:

Boat Name- Homeport

Lucky Us-League City, TX.

Lady KK-Zumbro Falls, MN.

S/V Wanderful-?       

Limelight-Cato, WI.

Freya-Rockport, TX.

Kristen Noelle-Baton Rouge, LA.

SaSea Sally-Louisiana, MO.

Second Wind-Shearborn, MA.

Connie B-Lapeer, MI.

LeryLynn-Austin, TX.

Companion-Madeira Beach, FL.

Knot Home-Baton Rouge, LA.

Easy Going-Houston, TX.

Cronos-Riverside, CT.

Carpe Diem-Oriental, NC.

Pisces-Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

Tiger Sea- Bellaire, MI.

M/V Southern Cross-Madisonville, LA.

S/V Too Chez- Portsmouth, NH & Cross Village, MI.

Gabriel-Gloucester, MA.

Blue Heaven-Lancaster, PA.

Southern Belle-?

Moondance-Baltimore, MD.

Calypso-Annapolis, MD.

Bobcat-Manteo, NC.

Prime Time V-?

Vendange-Suffolk, VA.

Lil’ David-Holden Beach, NC.

Our Time-Severna Park,MD.

S/V Second Option-Fort Belvoir, VA.

S/V October-Maine.

Let’s Drift-Toronto, Canada.

Allison Leigh- Iuka, MS.

M/V Fet-Esch-Carrollton, TX.

Field Trip-?

Lindy-?

Sojourn-Southlake, TX.

Carried Away-?

Secret Spot-North Myrtle Beach, SC.

Traveling Soul-Bahamas.

Spindrift-Boston, MA.

Sojourn-Gulf Harbour, FL.

Sunny Days-?

Queen Ann’s Revenge-Jackson, TN.

M/V Untide-New Zealand.

Chicaboom-Dunedin, FL.

In My Element-Fox Island, WA.

Daybreak-?

Peapod-Ottawa, ON.

Good Idea-London, Ontario.

Blue Chip-Big Pine Key, FL.

Terrapin-Petoskey, MI.

Potest Fieri-Kelowna, British Columbia.

With-A-K-VIII-Wilmington, IL.

Gran Vida-?

Lady Shenanigan’s-?

Our Last Boat IX-?

Balderdash-Charlevoix, MI.

Hotei-?

R & R-Long Island, NY.

Midas Touch-Richmond Hills, GA

Roxanne-?

Sundowner-Seminold, FL.

Quo Vadimus-Dover, DE.

Knot So Fast-?

Mas Bueno-Chattanooga, TN.

Greek’s Folly-Chicago, IL.

Seaveyor-Edisto, SC.

Jet Stream-Nevada.

Bright Angel-Grand Haven, MI.

Allez-?

Loophole-Holland, MI

M/V Sweetwater-?

Bushrange- Sydney, Australia.

M/V Fruitcakes-Little River, SC

Gypsea-Holland, MI

Seahorse-?

Corkscrew-Nashville, TN.

We met many others, but didn't get their cards.  It has been fun sharing our adventure via this blog.  Thanks for staying tuned!  C’est tout!  For now……