So, I have absolutely no excuse as to why I have not updated this blog in quite a long time. Had a couple of computers die, lost some photos, got caught up in the distractions of day to day, season to season and here we are, a couple of years (YEARS???!!!) later. Briefest of updates: Yes we are still cruising, full-time – although we have slowed down quite a bit.
We finished our Loop back in Marathon, Florida on December 29, 2016. Decided that we had no desire to move back to dirt up north full time, we didn’t have the ability to be “snowbirds” and maintain two houses and a boat, and we had no desire to sit in a condo in Florida, read the ink off of the newspaper and stare at each other saying “Remember when?”. So we stayed on board and kept cruising. And here we are, still cruising, but aboard a different boat.
Short version: After we finished our loop and became GOLD LOOPERS in December 2016, we stayed in Marathon for a little while. We then moved up to Pennekamp State Park, and crossed over to Bimini with OVER ICE and INSPIRATION, among other Loopers in the fleet of 2016-2017. We cruised through the Bahamas with INSPIRATION with stops in Chubb, Nassau, through Eleuthera and the Exumas, as far south as Black Point and Cat Cay, then back up through the Berrys, Grand Bahama and back to Palm Beach.
Since that time, we have again been back up and down the ICW to the Chesapeake, traveling with Loopers LONE STAR and MORNINGSTAR, meeting up with CHICA among others. We got the itch to shop for a different boat and took several road trips with Loopers Dave and Lori Martin formerly of PHASE II, shopping and dreaming. We decided to buy another boat in Niagara Falls, NY in October, 2017, brought it back to the Chesapeake, and sold the Silverton. We made plans with a group of loopers to go back to the Bahamas.
In winter 2018, we went back to Ocean Reef, Grand Bahama in the new boat, alone. We needed a chance to heal and mentally reset after the whirlwind of the last few years and after learning of the horrendous murder of our friend and fellow looper Lori Martin. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing. She is not forgotten.
The next season we met up in Charleston with a large group of new and old Loopers, and headed back up to the Chesapeake traveling with INSPIRATION and SEAFOX (formerly LeryLynn). Then back down to Florida, back over to the Bahamas, and are now passing back through Florida. Whew, it’s exhausting just trying to remember it all!
Photos and stories to follow, mixed in with our current happenings.
We are currently (October 2019) at Ortega Landing in Jacksonville Florida. Our intention is to cruise the St. John’s river to Sanford, Florida next, then decide if the Bahamas have recovered enough from Hurricane Dorian to have cruisers return.
Thanks to those of you that are still reading!!
M/V Leap of Faith 
Wow, it is so good to hear from you again! We almost caught up in January 2018 when Linda and I were doing the Star Ttek Cruise out of Miami, but that’s when you had boat problems and were stuck in Northern Florida. Haven’t seen you and Artie in a while, it’s been too long, and we miss you. I am glad to hear that you’re back on an even keel, and making terrific memories every day. Yes, I am a little jealous, but you guys deserve all the good times and happiness in the world. Next time you’re cruising the Hudson or East River, call ahead and we can meet you at a dock and catch up.
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