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!!

Happy to catch up with other loopers at Green Turtle Bay in Barkley Lake. We went from the Illinois River to the Cumberland River, and  Barkley Lock, as the Kentucky Lock leading to the Upper Tenessee River was closed for repairs during the time we passed through. Green Turtle was a welcome full-service marina at the end of that part of river excursion. Skipper made friends with Inky, from Looper Boat Panacea.  Caught up with Lynn and Wayne from LeryLynn.

Locking through the infamous Olmstead Lock (just had to follow that tow through and be escorted by a tug).  Kayaking Skipper into the beach and over to visit Lone Star. Locking through Lock 52.  Tons of tonnage, tows and barges on the Illinois and Cumberland Rivers.

When we arrived back at Alton Marina, we were lucky to be reunited with fellow Loopers Kevin and Steve on Lone Star, Pam and Phil on Inspiration and Forrest on Pura Vida, among others.   We then travelled with Lone Star down the rivers to Green Turtle Bay.  On these sections of the rivers, you do need to stop due to the mileage but there are no marinas.  So we were able to find a few places just off the river and out of the way of the tow traffic, to anchor. We had a very nice push from the current while on the Mississippi, and actually pushed 20 knots at one point when we opened it up.  Had a beautiful moonlit nite one night at anchor.  Mists in the mornings. A nice ride all around.

We had to make a sudden trip home and returned to Alton Marina in time to realize that we had to keep moving to make the Fall Rendezvous. We would have had to drive over to see St. Louis, as they do not have any dockage on the river.  Oh well, next time.  Got a few shots of the Arch.

Some years ago, Asian Carp that were apparently caught in the holds and ballast water of ships and then discharged overboard, began to establish themselves in the inland waterways.  They are aggressive when agitated by the sounds and vibrations of boats going by, and fly up into the air, sometimes landing on boats.  The slapping sound they make when hitting the water is similar to jumping dolphins.  Here are some photos and video of them following the boat.

Also began to see stronger currents, as well as some crazy looking birds, including white pelicans. Also saw another Bald Eagle.

We started to see our first barges and a more industrial landscape as we headed down the Ilinois. We also started to encounter our first large commercial locks;  these are different than the NY and Canadian locks.  Instead of cables or lines to tie onto to hold the boat, these have floating bollards that rise and fall along with the water level. Simply loop a line around the bollard, tie one end to the boat at midships and tend the other end.

Chicago was an impressive and welcome sight to see from Lake Michigan.  We stayed at DuSable Marina, right downtown near the Loop, within sight of the Navy Pier.  Took a tour with a great explanation of the architecture, and looked over the many bridges that we would have to pass under to take the Chicago River route out of the city.

Just a quick catch up post.  We have finally caught up with our Looper class of 2016, and have travelled from Lake Michigan, through Chicago, onto the Illinois River, and then down the Mississippi River, onto the Ohio River, then the Cumberland River and onto the Tennesse River.  We attended the Fall Rendezvous, and we are now taking a side trip further up the Tennessee River to Chatanooga.  Glad to see and be travelling with our fellow Loopers.

Traveling near M/V Avocet, a fellow looper.

Looper dinner with the crews of Leap of Faith, Lone Star, Inspiration and Stillwater 2.

Sometimes its a calm day with nice scenery.

Coffee on deck with Kevin and Pam

Skipper on the hunt

Manitowoc is a small town on the Wisconsin side, with plenty to do. There is a terrific Maritime museum with a submarine tour, and we were lucky enough to be there for both the Sputnik festival and a fish boil.  The story goes that when Sputnik finally crashed back to earth, a large, 20 lb piece dropped into downtown Manitowoc.  The people there sent the piece back to Russia, and have celebrated the date ever since. We attended the Miss Manitowoc pagent as well as the Aliens in the Alleyway festival, featuring a parking lot tent, brats and beer.

The fish boil is another local tradition, similar to a clam back or lobster back, but again, held in a parking lot.  A large pot is brought to a boil and a basket of whole potatoes and onions is boiled. Then a large basket of local fish – in this case, whitefish — is put on top and boiled.  Chucks of fish, including bones and skin. As the fish is brought to a boil, the fat and scum rise to the top of the pot.  A canister of diesel was then thrown on the wood fire, causing the pot to boil over and the scum from the top to pour over the sides, leaving the food free of the scum.  The baskets are then removed and served.  Anyone knowing Artie will be relieved to know that there were also hot dogs available.

There are sand dunes on Lake Michigan.  Who knew?

Leland is a cool and funky little town, known in part for a section called Fishtown where the fishing boats come in with their catch.  It is a bit more touristy now, but fun to walk. Saw an amphibious car (see the propellers on the back and the boat registration numbers on the side?).  Also a champion Cottonwood tree truck which dwarfed Artie, cool shops and a nice downtown, and a bonus of a nice sunset.

After leaving Mackinac Island, we passed through the Straights of Mackinac, under the bridge, and down into Lake Michigan.  We had now passed the northernmost part of this trip.  Our stops on Lake Michigan started on the Michigan side.  We stopped at Charlevoix, Leland, and Frankfort.  We then crossed over to the Wisconsin side, to Sturgeon Bay.  Time didn’t allow us to cross into Green Bay.  We instead continued south on the Wisconsin side, stopping in Manitowoc, Port Washington, and Racine.  We are currently in Racine, awaiting a good weather window to move down to Chicago which will be our last stop on the Lake before entering the Inland waterway and the river system.

There is a very large bridge that crosses the Straights of Mackinac, which is very impressive.  The Grand Hotel is also located on the Island and is impressive in its own right — if a bit snooty.  Notice the two women in red blazers and pith helmets.  It is their job to keep the riff-raff out or to collect the ten dollars charged to walk up onto the front porch.  At least the ten dollars can then be applied to the fifty dollar lunch buffet.  There is also a movie released about twenty years ago, Somewhere In Time, with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve, which ties into the hotel.  It is commemorated on a plaque outside.