SOME PARTING THOUGHTS........

Now that we've been home for a few weeks, I've had a chance to digest what we just accomplished. I want to share a few of my thoughts and experiences of this 10 monthly journey on the waterways of the US and Canada, called American's Great Loop. 

This was a huge check off the bucket list. Approximately less than 150 boats complete this trip in a year. We have traveled all over the world, but I will have to say this journey was probably the most challenging yet rewarding adventure we had attempted and completed.

It confirmed how lucky we were to have been able to enjoy the beauty of our country by water.  We got to experience, and re-learn some American history we had forgotten. The people we met really were the highlight of this journey; many of whom I'm sure will remain friends for life. 

For the most part we had great weather. A chilly start with unseasonable cold winter in South Florida. Very little rain and could not have had better weather in Canada, while the rest of the country was in a heat wave. We ran aground 4 or 5 times,( depends on who's counting). But we never had to call Sea Tow.

Having boating knowledge is a comfort. Mike was, and is a great Captain. I really never worried about anything going wrong, because he knows how to fix just about anything and has very logical mind. He was often the leader of our flotillas, so guess I was not the only one who trusted his judgement.

We challenged ourselves by transiting 120 locks, anchoring 38 nights (wish we had done more), and not killing each other! Yes, there were moments we had our disagreements, to put it mildly sometimes. But it was just the two of us, no one else was there to help, so we had to make it work. 

And make it work we did! We now fly our Gold Burgee with pride! Loopers receive a Gold flag once you complete the Loop. The more adventurous Loopers will go for Platinum if they complete the Loop more than once. We are staying on land for a while, but not too long. We are planning on a trip to the Bahamas in the Spring with several other Loopers for two to three months. You can't keep good boaters or Loopers down.  And yes, we will probably have more "disagreements". And yes there will probably be more money (a lot more) put towards repairs and improvements but remember...it's a boat!

BY THE NUMBERS: 

   

      Jan. 22 to Nov. 11, 2016

294 Days

7075 Miles

5368 Gallons of Diesel Fuel

18 States and Canada

120 Locks

80 Lighthouses

32 Days off Boat (side trips and home)

13 Car Rentals

38 Nights at Anchor (wish we had done more)

2 Prop Changes

6 Visitors (3 couples 2 times)
161 Blog Posts