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Chattanooga, United States ‐ Oct 15, 2021
Terrace View Marina / Spring City, TN ‐ Sep 30, 2021

Terrace View Marina, Watts Bar Lake, TN

Quiet stop as we back track our way to Chattanooga. We cruised fairly slowly today, about half the way on plane and the rest at 8 kts. This marina is located on the west side of the river and is sligh...
Chilhowee Dam, TN ‐ Sep 27, 2021

Headwaters of Little TN River

Beautiful clear and cold water! Poor Internet and cell connectivity caused the delay in writing the update yesterday. However, I was able to set the location dot on the map when we reached the farthes...
Ft. Loudoun, TN. ‐ Sep 24, 2021

+2

Watts Bar to Ft. Loudoun, TN

Watts Bar Lake (Blue Springs) To Fort Loudoun, TN

Another beautiful day on the water! Hey! We made it! Horrible WiFi reception here (what’s new on the water??). This is a nice marina. Now if only the dock master would move with some haste. It took o...
Blue Springs, TN. ‐ Sep 23, 2021

Trip to Watts Bar Lake, TN

Chattanooga to Blue Springs, TN

Well, we made it! After almost two years without serious cruising, the Admiral and I decided to take a trip farther up the TN River. Today we traveled about 70 miles up river into Watts Bar Lake. It h...
Chattanooga - Home Port! ‐ Nov 2, 2019

Going Gold at Home Port

2021 Update

I write this entry to wrap-up our Great Loop blog. It's hard to believe that it's been over a year ago since I last entered something. My have things changed! One year ago we were mourning the passing...

We Made It! Completed Great Loop!

Arrived in Gold Point Marina about 1940 hrs after leaving Scottsboro at 0630 hrs. It’s been a long day. But we made it!! The Great Loop is complete! More tomorrow, we’re beat, going to get something t...
Chattanooga - Downtown ‐ Nov 1, 2019

+3

Way Back to Home Port

Downtown Chattanooga

The TN River is closed to traffic during the "Head of the 'Hooch" rowing competition. Friday is a practice day; Saturday and Sunday are competition days. We're temporarily stopped and tied up to the R...
Scottsboro, AL ‐ Oct 30, 2019

Rainy Day in Scottsboro

Goose Pond Marina

Sitting in the Rain

We were awakened by heavy rain and the push of strong winds about 0600 hrs. All the weather has done this morning is rain and blow. We’ve decided we’re going to stay put and wait a day before moving o...

To Goose Pond Marina

We left Decatur in a light rain at 0800. It soon developed into a steady rain and then became heavy and limited our visibility. Notwithstanding, we pushed on with windshield wipers clearing the window...
Decatur, AL

Wilson Lock

Aqua Harbor / Iuka, MS to Decatur, AL

After test running the boat yesterday and topping off of the tranny fluids we set out this AM for Decatur. Our bail out plan was to stop at Florence, AL but the boat ran fine and the vitals held stead...
Iuka, MS ‐ Oct 6, 2019

Good morning on the Tenn Tom.

Going Gold!

Tennessee River Scenery

Back to Aqua Harbor

Got back to Iuka, MS yesterday afternoon about 1300 hrs CDT. Off loaded the stuff from the car and checked out the boat. To my surprise the starboard drive was not registering any transmission fluid!...

Weather Delay

Our departure from ATL has been postponed a couple of days to due a tropical weather disturbance coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. Rain in excess of 4 inches has been predicted in the TN, MS, AL area...

Call from Aqua Harbor

Received the call I had been awaiting - work is complete, the boat is ready, come pick her up! Okay! So let’s go down the checklist: potentiometers, micro switch in throttle levers changed, chase down...

Potentiometers

Greg, the service tech here at Aqua Harbor, has diagnosed our potentiometer issue. The diagnostic code is presenting a different code than previously sent. The issue appears to be a lose connection so...

They Lied!

Forecast of clear skies and sunshine was not true! Woke up to gray skies, mist, and a fog rising from the river. Worst of all is we’re still in Iuka, MS. Why? Because the port engine potentiometer is...

Rainy Day in Mississippi!

Woke up to thunderstorms and it’s been a rainy, dreary and cloudy day all along. We decided to stay at Grand Harbor today and do some boat and laundry chores. Tomorrow’s weather is to be clear and sun...

Clifton, TN to Iuka, MS - 1st Crossing of Wake!

Our night in Clifton was a lot of fun. A group of Loopers stayed over and Miss Susan, the marina owner, made us feel very welcome and had a DJ playing music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s! We sang and...
Clifton, TN ‐ Oct 5, 2019

New Johnsonville to Clifton, TN

We stayed at Pebble Isle Marina in New Johnsonville, TN last night. Tennessee has a lot of little, tiny towns known only to locals. I remember when we lived in Tennessee hearing about these wide spots...
New Johnsonville, TN ‐ Oct 4, 2019

Kentucky Lake

Green Turtle Bay to New Johnsonville, TN

Got away about 0900 this morning. The cold front came through last night and dropped temps but had no rain. Today was clear, bright and a bit windy for the 70-mile ride. High today about 85’. Morning...
Grand Rivers, KY ‐ Sep 30, 2019

+2

Fishin’

Gearing Up for Last Leg

Tomorrow (Friday) we’ll begin our homeward journey to home port. Each day will be divided into 70-mile increments which should equate to 4-5 hour runs. Our heat wave should be abating tomorrow and non...

Paducah to Grand Rivers / Green Turtle Bay, KY

It was a 40-mile run today to Green Turtle Bay from the Ohio River to the Tennessee River through Kentucky Lake Lock & Dam and crossing over to the Cumberland River to GTB. Short post last night! The...
Paducah, KY

+4

Cape Girardeau to Paducah

Cape Girardeau, MO to Paducah, KY

Wow, what a day! The Mississippi River is not for amateurs! Between the debris in the water, the eddies, commercial barge traffic, and just being aware of your surroundings, this waterway demands your...
Cape Girardeau, MO ‐ Sep 28, 2019

+5

Kaskaskia and Cape Girardeau

Kaskaskia L&D to Cape Girardeau, MO

About a 70-mile run today to a little canal inlet off the Mississippi River just south of Cape Girardeau. The Little Diversion Canal is everything everyone said about it: safe, deep water, good anchor...
Kaskaskia L&D a/k/a Jerry Costello L&D, IL ‐ Sep 27, 2019

+4

Mississippi River

Grafton to Kaskaskia L&D

Had a great day on the dock yesterday talking to all of our dock mates, some local, some Looper. Got to bed early last night and underway at 0700 this morning. Now on the Mississippi River, our speed...
Grafton, IL ‐ Sep 21, 2019

Grafton Update

It’s Tuesday morning and another beautiful fall day. We’re still in Grafton and will be here until we push off for Paducah on Friday. Yesterday we received notice from Alton that they will be unable t...

Beardstown to Grafton, IL

Internet connectivity is horrible. Just wanted to post location. Will post update after dinner. 88 miles today! Back from dinner at the Oyster Bar, a riverside restaurant here at the marina in Grafton...
Beardstown, IL ‐ Sep 20, 2019

+2

Logsdon Tug

Peoria to Beardstown, IL

After settling into IVY Club yesterday, the Admiral did laundry and I thoroughly washed the boat. We refueled, pumped out, and filled with potable water for the next leg. Last evening the club had a l...
Peoria Heights, IL ‐ Sep 19, 2019

IVY Club

Henry, IL to Peoria, IL

Got way from our primitive “dock” this morning without incident. Our forward spring line was bearing most of the tension, so it was a relief for me when all I needed to do was untie the bow line from...
Henry, IL ‐ Sep 18, 2019

+4

Henry Harbor Landings

Ottawa to Henry, IL

After an unplanned day of rest, we were underway at 0700 heading toward Starved Rock Lock, about 14 miles downstream. We made it through without incident and have now cleared all of the locks affected...
Ottawa, IL ‐ Sep 17, 2019

Heritage Harbor

Stayed Put!

We were exhausted! Set the alarm clock for 0430 and slept through it! Thankfully I rolled over and opened one eye at 0620, jumped out of bed and turned on our VHF radio for the 0630 update / agenda. T...

Joliet to Ottawa, IL

We made it! Underway at 0615, we made three locks in Illinois River, including a key lock - Marseilles - and got to Heritage Harbor Marina in Ottawa, IL at 1830 hrs. I don’t know how many miles we tra...
Joliet, IL ‐ Sep 15, 2019

+11

Chicago to Joliet

Stuck in Joliet

Up at 0430 today in anticipation of moving on but a combination of rain and lightning and predicted heavy downstream commercial traffic will postpone our movement for a day. Members within this flotil...

Chicago to Joliet, IL

Early start to the day and a late end. Underway at 0730 and arrived in Joliet at 1700 hrs. 30 miles in 10+ hours! It’s a slow ride. However, going through Downtown Chicago in your own boat was really...
Chicago, IL ‐ Sep 9, 2019

+9

Chicago Update

+24

Chicago Architectural Tour

+3

Racine, WI to Chicago, IL

Chicago Update

I just realized that it’s been a couple of days since our last post. A lot has gone on since then! We arrived on Monday and did the architectural boat tour of downtown Chicago on Tuesday. Wednesday mo...

Racine to Chicago

Oh well. Evidently, I lost another lengthy post to the black hole of the Internet. Yesterday afternoon I posted about our trip to Chicago and last night I posted some more photos, all of which have go...
Racine, WI ‐ Sep 7, 2019

Lake Michigan Blue

Sheboygan to Racine, WI

We had a nice couple of days in Sheboygan, too cold but enjoyed the city. We had three good meals on the town, got our haircut, and did laundry: not bad for just a stop! We had dinner at Lino’s Thursd...
Sheboygan, WI ‐ Sep 5, 2019

Sturgeon Bay to Sheboygan, WI

Departed about 0900 this AM under a beautifully clear sky and calm winds. Temps have dropped into the upper 40’s at night. We had smooth cruising today with seas <1’. However, the temps feel cooler...
Sturgeon Bay, WI ‐ Sep 4, 2019

Sturgeon Bay Again

In Sturgeon Bay Again

A cold weather front pushed through last night and dropped the temps from a high of 80’ to the mid 50’s overnight and with a high today of only 68’. The 50 nm run today was calm compared to the last t...
Green Bay,WI ‐ Aug 28, 2019

+5

Bay of Green Bay

Mom's Passing

On January 11, 2020, my mother, Shirley Blount, passed away in Appleton, WI. Many of you knew my mother’s health had been in a gradual state of decline which led to her decision to forego any remedial...

Back to the Boat

We have spent one week week away from the boat. Today we returned and it was great to get on aboard again and to meet our boat neighbors. We said our goodbyes to Mom this morning. Her near-term condit...

Mom Update

Had an uninterrupted nights’ sleep last night and felt much better today. Mom, too, had a good night and a quiet, peaceful and uneventful day. It’s time to start focusing on our travel schedule and we...

Mom and Appleton, WI

We’ve been in Green Bay and Appleton for a couple of days ( I think). Today is Thursday and it was our turn to work the night shift with mom last night. My mother, who will be 92 on September 13, is i...

Egg Harbor to Green Bay

After sitting out a day of rain and fog, we got underway very early to avoid an increasing southerly headwind. Forecasted seas of 2’ quickly developed into 4-6’. Small craft warnings had been issued f...
Egg Harbor, WI ‐ Aug 25, 2019

Rainy Egg Harbor

+2

Egg Harbor & Friends

Rainy Day in Egg Harbor

Enjoyed a fabulous dinner and great company last night with Dorothy and Virgil. Today has been a thoroughly rainy day from daybreak to present. However, we’ve replenished a couple of supplies, refuele...

Fayette, MI to Egg Harbor, WI

I’ve not been running on full energy for the past couple of days but I think I’ve turned the corner on my head congestion as my voice returns to its normal octave range. I limited posts from Fayette f...
Fayette, MI ‐ Aug 24, 2019

+15

Harbor Springs to Fayette, MI

Up at 0600 hrs, underway at 0815, go to the fuel dock to top off fuel and pump out and guess what - the fuel dock has gone to late summer hours and doesn’t open until 0900! Oh well, we waited a few mi...
Harbor Springs, MI ‐ Jul 30, 2019

Fall Skies

Dinner at LTYC

Big Blow

+7

Tiara HQ

Moon Over Harbor Springs

+5

Antique Boat Show

New Boat in Harbor

Back to HS!

Forecast

Forecast for the 100 mile crossing from Harbor Springs to Fayette appears acceptable at this time. Seas 2’ ft or less with a north wind of 13 kts receding to 5 kts. Estimated departure 0800 hrs, pump...

Countdown to Move On Date

We’ve decided to move from Harbor Springs on Friday. We’re going to Fayette, MI, about 100 miles west of HS and on the northern shore of Lake Michigan just east of Escanaba, MI. From there we’ll begin...

Tour of Tiara Yachts HQ

We were invited to attend a VIP tour of Tiara Yachts production and sales facility in Holland, MI so we drove down Thursday and toured the plant on Friday. We were able to test drive a new 2020 C49 ya...

Weekend Plans

A cold front moved through Wednesday night and Thursday dropping temps and humidity. It’s now in the upper 50’s with an expected high of 74’! We continue to focus on the Chicago River / Illinois River...

LTYC and Travel Plans

Good morning! I’m sitting at the table near the helm typing as the day begins to unfold. We’ve had several nice mild days in a row and haven’t used the A/C since we arrived in HS. Today is to be mild...

Returning to Our Seasonal Beginning Point

Today we moved from HS Municipal marina to Walstrom Marina and to the same slip from which our summer began! And much like last year, we need to decide quickly whether to move on to Chicago or stay pu...

Back to Harbor Springs!

Just a quick note tonight. We made it back to Harbor Springs, the place where we began our 2019 cruising season! Hard to believe we’ve been on the water nearly 3 months! We pounded through 3-5 ft head...
Mackinac City,MI ‐ Jul 28, 2019
Cheboygan ‐ Jul 17, 2019

+6

Extraordinary Service

+3

Idle Time

+4

Props - again!

Great Service!

The guys here at Walstrom in Cheboygan have been great. Not only do the function as a seamlessly working team, each dovetailing their respective talents with one another but also by going the extra mi...

Idle Time

With the props removed and electronics guru Brian trying to trouble shoot the engine revving issue we’ve taken to a land existence. Yesterday we played golf at the Cheboygan Golf & Country Club. It’s...

Repair Update

The props are pulled and on their way to Algonac. Scheduled return is Thursday. Electronics wizard, Brian, is on board today checking systems for defaults. A “drive engage” cannot be done without the...

Sault Ste Marie to Cheboygan, MI

I know I’m behind in writing and will update this week now that we’re in Cheboygan and have very good Internet connection. I’ve said it before that no two days are alike. And yesterday (Wednesday) was...
Sault Ste. Marie ‐ Jul 15, 2019

Whitefish Point

Grand Marais to Sault Ste Marie, MI

Waiting a day in Grand Marais proved to be a wise decision. Yesterday the water was calm and flat with only the remnants of the swells from the winds of the day before. The run back into the Soo was u...
Grand Marais, MI ‐ Jul 13, 2019

Back to Grand Marais

Marquette to Grand Marais

We got an early start to the day yesterday knowing we needed to return the rental car and still get a jump on an incoming weather front for the 60 nm ride to Grand Marais. Everything worked as planned...
Marquette, MI ‐ Jul 8, 2019

+4

Presque Isle

After the Front Moves Through.

+2

Copper Harbor, MI

+6

Land Cruise to Copper Harbor

Knowing a cold weather front with thunderstorms was to move through the area yesterday and today, we decided to rent a car and drive up the Keweenaw Peninsula and visit Copper Harbor, the most norther...

Munising to Marquette, MI

We decided to go west to Marquette, visit the college city and wait out a forecasted rain storm and high winds We scooted across Lake Superior in absolutely calm seas and saw no one on our 40 nm trip....
Munising, MI ‐ Jul 7, 2019

+12

Pictured Rocks

Grand Marais to Munising, MI

We woke up to a mostly clear sky this morning with temps in the upper 40’s. Second morning in which I turned on the heat! We pushed off at 0915 and eased our way out into Lake Superior. The lake was m...
Grand. Marais, MI ‐ Jul 5, 2019

+3

Grand Marais

Sault Ste. Marie to Grand Marais

Grand Marais

Today we explored the little town of Grand Marais. We first went to the beach along the shore of Lake Superior to walk bare foot in the sand. We wore jeans, sweatshirts and jackets as the the lake was...

Grand Marais, Michigan

After checking down the weather this AM, we decided to move ahead and leave the relative comforts of Sault Ste. Marie and finally head into Lake Superior. We enjoyed a beautiful, cloudless day for Jul...
Sault Ste. Marie, MI ‐ Jun 26, 2019

Fourth of July in Sault Ste. Marie

+2

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

+5

Whitefish Bay

+5

Engineer’s Day

Tour of the Valley Camp Freighter

+4

Sault Ste Marie

Whitefish Bay, MI

John and Angela picked us up this AM and took us for a tour of Whitefish Bay, west of Sault Ste. Marie. A drive along the shoreline highway took us through the town of Brimley then to the most souther...

Engineers Day

Yesterday (Friday) was Engineers Day at the Soo locks. The US Army Corps of Engineers opens the infield between the two American locks, and administrative buildings for the general public to tour. Add...

In the Sault!

A beautiful run up the St. Marys River today, so nice outdoors that we wore shorts and T-shirts for the first time while traveling this year! Sault Ste. Marie means “rapids of St. Mary”. A lot of Euro...
Drummond Island, MI ‐ Jun 17, 2019

Summertime in Drummond Island

Sunset

On to the Sault!

After another rainy Monday and with a clearing weather Tuesday, we’re set to move to Sault Ste. Marie tomorrow AM. Yesterday we rented a car and drove to Petoskey to get haircuts, manicure / pedicure,...

Summertime in Drummond Island

My, what a stretch of sunny days! Warm days (low 70’s) and cool nights (upper 40’s) and no humidity! We are learning why people come here. Yesterday we walked to the rental car company and introduced...

Summer Solstice

Good morning! Yesterday was the summer solstice - 15 hours and 45 minutes of official daylight here. We were up for most of it. I can tell you that it was still “light” out even when we went to bed at...

Gore Bay to Drummond Island, MI, USA

It was a beautifully clear and calm day on the way in from Gore Bay. There was nary a ripple in the water for the 60 mile run; quite a change from Saturday. And, no one was on the water! Even the temp...
Gore Bay, ON, Canada ‐ Jun 15, 2019

+4

Killarney back to Gore Bay

To Killarney and Back to Gore Bay and Connectivity

Only in Canada can you get better Internet reception than by going into a smaller town! We are back in Gore Bay after traveling eastward to and through Little Current and to Killarney. More tomorrow;...
Killarney, ON ‐ Jun 14, 2019
Little Current, ON ‐ Jun 11, 2019

+5

North Channel Cruise to Little Current

Gore Bay to Little Current via Crocker Island

After another all day rain yesterday, we awakened to beautiful sunshine and a crystal clear morning. Yesterday was a laundry day and time for us to plan out our next few stops. Dock mates in Gore Bay...
Gore Bay, ON ‐ Jun 6, 2019

Back in Canada, eh!

+8

Another Beautiful Day

OMG - three days consecutive with sunny skies and mild temps! Where are we? The beauty of this part of the world begins to come alive when you can get and explore its natural scenery. We walked the se...

DeTour, MI to Gore Bay, ON

We were underway by 1000 hrs this AM and were in Gore Bay by 1400 hrs. This is a gorgeous little bay on the south shore of the North Channel, or the north shore of the Manitoulin Islands. It was worth...
De Tour Village, MI, United States ‐ Jun 3, 2019

+5

DeTour Village

Down Day.

With continued rain forecasted for today, Wednesday, we decided to stay put and wait one day for clear weather following the passing weather front. All it did yesterday was rain. Good day to clean the...

Hessel to DeTour Village, MI

We decided to leave Hessel early because of rainy weather due in tonight. Yesterday was crystal clear but with a strong northwesterly wind that made the air temp seem colder. High yesterday was 56’ bu...
Hessel, Les Cheneaux, MI ‐ Jun 2, 2019

+2

Hessel / Les Cheneaux

Cheboygan to Hessel / Les Cheneaux

With the forecast of more gray skies and extremely cool weather for northern lower Michigan we decided to venture into the upper peninsula. So we came to Hessel in the Les Cheneaux Islands of the east...
Cheboygan, MI ‐ May 30, 2019

Radar Repair

Mackinac Island to Cheboygan

We got up early this morning to a fairly clear sky and a steadily building west wind. Exiting the harbor wasn’t an issue until we entered the Straits where 3 - 4’ waves were rolling through. I turned...
Mackinac Island ‐ May 24, 2019

+17

Touring Mackinac Island

Touring Mackinac Island

Two days ago I wrote a lengthy post about our touring of Mackinac Island including its significant historical sites and its geological make-up. After I had written and proof read it, I sent it to “pos...

Harbor Springs to Mackinac Island

I think it must be a part of this adventure that no two days are alike. Yesterday I did my normal check down of things - mechanical and weather - and everything looked good. We got up early, had our c...
Harbor Springs, MI ‐ May 18, 2019

Inaugural Run

+3

Sunny Monday

Rainy Day Sunday

Back on the Boat

Radar Update

After much Internet surfing and a few 1-800 telephone calls, I found a solution for our dead radar - buy a previously owned one for a fraction of the price of a new unit! A little background: our “cla...

Inaugural Run.

We made our inaugural run of the season today. A short cruise to Charlevoix for lunch and back was the order of the day. Sunny skies, calm winds and a flat lake was our experience. Although it was a l...

Sunshine Monday

After nearly all day rains yesterday the sun finally came out today! A shift in wind to the northwest calmed the harbor’s water and gave us a good night’s sleep. Today I tended to matters in the engin...

Rainy Day Sunday

A series of rain storms have been moving through the area since yesterday afternoon. Overnight the easterly wind has picked up and we’re getting bounced around (again!). Any wind with an easterly comp...

Back on the Boat!

Well, we’re back! After a six month hiatus at home, the weather has finally broken in northern Michigan and we’ve made our way back to Harbor Springs to resume our Loop. When I say the weather has bro...
Harbor Springs, MI ‐ Sep 17, 2018

Harbor Springs in Winter

+2

Day Before Departure

+3

Storm Effects

Gale in Harbor Springs

+2

Back to Harbor Springs from Sister Bay

Countdown to Departure

It’s a rainy day today as we we make final preparations to leave tomorrow. Another weather front is moving through the area that has gale warnings posted across the northern halves of Lake MI and Huro...

Departure Date

We’ve chosen to taken a seasonal hiatus in boating and from our Great Loop trip in Harbor Springs, MI. We’re about two-thirds through the Great Loop and having a fantastic and wonderful time. Much of...

Missing Photos

I was looking through our posts the other day and noticed some pictures that I had posted seem to be missing. I’m sure I posted these mysteriously missing photos although I could have thought I did! M...

Sister Bay to Harbor Springs

I’m a couple days late in writing about our trip back to Harbor Springs. First, let me say Door County, WI is, in a word, charming. The topography is hilly, rising from the shoreline to a central peni...
Sister Bay, WI ‐ Sep 16, 2018

+3

Egg Harbor to Sister Bay, WI

About a 15 mile trip up the Door County Peninsula is Sister Bay. Another one of those neatly tucked-in bays on the bay of Green Bay side of the peninsula. With an expansive north- northwestwardly view...
Egg Harbor, WI ‐ Sep 13, 2018

+2

Sturgeon Bay to Egg Harbor, WI

We are experiencing outstanding late summer weather here in WI. Crossed Lake Michigan with an easterly wind and it has sustained itself over the past several days. Consequently, the wind flow has kept...
Sturgeon Bay, WI ‐ Sep 9, 2018

+9

Sturgeon Bay Ship Building

Glidden Lodge

+4

Frankfort, MI to Sturgeon Bay, WI

Frankfort, MI to Sturgeon Bay, WI

Strong northeasterly winds continue but we decided to head across the lake because of the trailing sea. My wind app forecasted <2’ and NOAA forecasted 3-5’. Both were correct depending on your loca...
Frankfort, MI ‐ Sep 7, 2018

Frankfort Today

+8

Northport to Frankfort, MI

Northport to Frankfort, MI

Woke up to a cool, brisk day and after checking all of the engine fluids we got underway about 1000 hrs. NOAA had been forecasting increasing northerly seas today and while we ran into a bit of a chop...
Northport, MI ‐ Sep 6, 2018

Harbor Springs to Northport, MI

The long forecasted and much anticipated cold front finally made its way through northern Michigan last evening and night. We woke up this morning to decidedly different weather conditions than yester...
Harbor Springs, MI ‐ Jul 30, 2018

+2

Nightfall at the Marina

New view in Harbor Springs

+9

On the Hard in Harbor Springs

+3

Harbor Springs and Beaver Island

+4

Lake Charlevoix

Harbor Springs Clear Water

+7

To Harbor Springs

Good morning, Harbor Springs!

Plans for Next Season

All maintenance items have been addressed: transmission oil and filter changed, props pulled and tuned, boat polished and waxed, and a couple other incidental items finished. We’re ready for the last...

Preparing to Move On

The best laid plans in boating are always subject to weather and sea conditions. Today we were supposed to depart Harbor Springs and begin moving toward Wisconsin. The first port, about 35 miles west...

Played Golf

Played Chestnut Valley yesterday in advance of predicted rain for today. The course was in great condition especially since northern MI hasn’t had much, if any, rain recently. The fairways and greens...

Life in Harbor Springs

I’ve been remiss in posting updates over the past two weeks. Since landing in HS we have taken on a sedentary land lifestyle! At first we took advantage of not needing to be somewhere at some time and...

Good Morning Harbor Springs

Slept in this morning - 0615 hrs! I’m sitting on the back of the boat in mid 50’s temperature watching the morning unfold with nary a sound or movement about. Ah, the tranquility. The Admiral and I we...

Harbor Springs, MI!

We made it!
Drummond Island, MI ‐ Jul 29, 2018

Back into the USA!

A beautifully smooth ride from Tobermory, ON to Drummond Island, MI on the outside of the Mantoulin Islands and into the St. Marys River to Drummond Island Yacht Harbor. The 110 mile run took only 6 h...
Tobermory, ON, Canada ‐ Jul 27, 2018

+2

On to Tobermory

Officially in the Great Lakes - Lake Huron

Made the segue from river / canal system to Great Lakes today’s by exiting the Trent Severn Waterway and entering Georgian Bay, the eastern most portion of Lake Huron. As was with every other part of...
Port Severn, ON ‐ Jul 26, 2018

+13

To Port Severn

Orillia to Port Severn, ON.

We can see the final lock of the Trent Severn Waterway from our marina tonight. About a 35 mile run today through more twists and turns and the famous train lock: Big Chute! At Big Chute you’re loaded...
Orillia, ON ‐ Jul 25, 2018

+2

Port of Orillia

Bolsover to Orillia

Big thunderstorms came through Bolsover last night and we hunkered down, ate dinner inside and went to bed at 2100 hrs! Today we made a five lock passage to Orillia at the south end of Lake Coocaching...
Kawartha Lakes / Bolsover ‐ Jul 24, 2018

+4

Bobcaygeon to Bolsover, ON

Bobcaygeon to Bolsover, ON

After spending a down day in Bobcaygeon we were back on the water this AM. Today we patiently motored our way through the narrowest of channels and shallowest of waters yet. This leg is definitely not...
Kawartha Lakes / Bobcaygeon, ON ‐ Jul 22, 2018

Lakefield to Bobcaygeon, ON

Poor internet connection caused my post yesterday to be lost in cyberspace. I’ll try again tonight. We traveled Sunday from Lakefield to Bobcaygeon through rain, fog, and shallow, narrow and rock fill...
Lakefield, ON ‐ Jul 21, 2018

Peterborough to Lakefield, ON

Finally, a short day - 5 hours and 6 locks, including the famous Peterborough lift lock. Peterborough was an interesting town. I had expected more and found it to be a little grungy and not as neat an...
Peterborough, ON ‐ Jul 20, 2018

+27

Peterborough Lift

To Peterborough

Campbellford to Peterborough

Long days, short posts! Underway @ 0830; waited for first lock until 0930. Lock opened at 0900. We were one of the first three boats locked through. Had a 52 mile +/- run, seven lock day. Got into Pet...
Campbellford, ON ‐ Jul 19, 2018

Trenton to Campbellford

Campbellford, ON

Fifty-two miles and 12 locks today! Left at 1000 hrs due to delay in at fueling / pump out station; arrived at destination ~ 1730. It was just a slow go. Lockmasters are great! Courteous and insightfu...
Quinte West / Port Trenton, ON

+2

Oswego to Trenton, ON

Oswego to Trenton, ON

Needed to delay our departure today due wind and wave conditions. Departed at 1130 hrs and once we passed the breakwater into Lake Ontario we were introduced to the Great Lakes - a baptism of sorts! T...
Oswego, NY, United States ‐ Jul 17, 2018

+3

Way to Oswego.

Sylvan Beach to Oswego, NY

Heavy storms overnight and early this morning delayed our departure today. This is the first time we’ve had rain since Atlantic City. No complaints here; we had our fair share of rain in FL. About a 5...
Sylvan Beach, NY ‐ Jul 16, 2018

St. Johnsville to Sylvan Beach, NY

St. Johnsville was a nice little town. Docked last night on the municipal dock wall. Payment is on the honor system; if you need fuel, you call and someone will come down and unlock the fuel pumps. Ca...
Saint Johnsville, NY ‐ Jul 15, 2018

+6

To St. Johnsville, NY

Schenectady to St. Johnsville, NY

Woke up to a double rainbow over starboard. I think the last time I had seen that was when I was in grade school. A beautiful way to begin the day. After the brief shower the weather cleared out and w...
Schnectady (Rexford), NY ‐ Jul 14, 2018

Schenectady Yacht Club

+9

New Baltimore to Schenectady, NY.

New Baltimore (Albany) to Schenectady, NY

It’s back to the river system again. Pluses are calm fresh waters and little reason for weather postponements. Negatives are no auto pilot, must be on alert for human powered watercraft, small boats,...
New Baltimore, NY ‐ Jul 12, 2018

My Cousin and Me.

Meeting Relatives Along the Way.

While at Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore, Barbara and I noticed a boat name that sounded familiar. We decided to check with the marina and see to whom it was registered. Come to find out, it was...

Croton on Hudson to New Baltimore (Albany), NY

On the waterway again. This time up the Hudson River, past West Point, up to New Baltimore (about 13 miles south of Albany, NY’s state capital). This leg of the trip is reminiscent of the TN River leg...
Croton-on-Hudson, NY ‐ Jul 9, 2018

+8

USMA - West Point

+11

NYC

Brielle, NJ to Croton on Hudson, NY

Okay now, we’ve reached the pinnacle. We have boated, in our own boat, through New York Harbor, past the Statue of Liberty on one side and Manhattan Island on the other. Pretty incredible! The cruise...
Brielle, NJ ‐ Jul 8, 2018

Manasquan

Atlantic City to Manasquan / Brielle, NJ

We had a blast in Atlantic City! The weather was chamber of commerce perfect! High yesterday was 74’! We needed to wear long sleeve shirts and carry a sweater at night; even slept with a/c off and the...
Atlantic City, NJ ‐ Jul 6, 2018

Ocean City, MD to Atlantic City, NJ

We were rocked awake at 0400 today by early morning fishing boats heading out for the day and decided to get up and get an early start to get ahead of a weather front that was to bring northerly winds...
Ocean City, MD ‐ Jul 5, 2018

Hampton, VA to Ocean City, MD

A 120 mile day today! It was tough getting moving this AM after a nice day in Hampton. Last night we saw fireworks from 360’! Never have I been in the middle of continuous fireworks. It was fun watchi...
Hampton ‐ Jul 3, 2018

+5

Hampton,VA

Manteo, NC to Hampton, VA

Wow, what a day! One of the longest days on the water since the crossing from Panama City Beach to Clearwater, this 100-mile trip took nearly 10 1/2 hours to complete. It began by heading south from M...
Manteo ‐ Jul 2, 2018

+6

Manteo and the Oregon Inlet

Pamlico Sound / Ocracoke / Cape Hatteras to Manteo, NC

Up and at it early today knowing the inside ride might be slower due to increased focus on navigational charts and water depths. Pamlico Sound is a very large body of water between the barrier outer i...
Ocracoke ‐ Jun 29, 2018

+6

OBX

Beaufort to Pamlico Sound / Ocracoke / Cape Hatteras, NC

Cruised the outside again today in 3-4 ft seas at ~8 seconds. Not much fun going into a head sea but once we cleared the shoals from the Beaufort / Morehead City Inlet and turned easterly and then nor...
Beaufort, NC ‐ Jun 28, 2018

+2

Bald Head Island to Beaufort, NC

Another early start to the day (0730 hrs) allowed us to make the Carolina Inlet at high tide and saved many backtracking miles. Without local knowledge I would be hesitant to have used this inlet. But...
Southport ‐ Jun 27, 2018

+3

Bald Head Island, NC

Georgetown, SC to Bald Head Island, NC

Woke up early today and we were underway by 0730 hrs. Caught the tide at near high and rode the inlet out to the ocean with minimal tidal flow or turbulence. Got out in ~ 2-3 ft seas @ 6 seconds and h...
Georgetown ‐ Jun 26, 2018

+2

Charleston to Georgetown, SC

Charleston to Georgetown, SC

Underway at 0800 hrs today after a fun six day stay in Charleston. Our stay was extended from Sunday because the new supercharger pulley was defective, and the mechanics couldn’t finish installing it...
Charleston, SC ‐ Jun 20, 2018

+3

Charleston City Marina

Enjoying Charleston

We’ve been bicycling around the historic district during the past several days and seeing Charleston like we have never seen it. We have traveled from the Ashley River to the Cooper River on the stree...

HHI to Charleston

Another smooth run in the Atlantic Ocean to Charleston. But for a couple of huge cargo container ships, we had the ocean to ourselves. With local intel giving me courage, we left HHI from the south, n...
Hilton Head Island ‐ Jun 18, 2018

+3

HHI - Harbour Town Marina

SSI to HHI

Hello from the iconic Harbour Town Marina in Hilton Head Island, SC. Got into port yesterday afternoon after another beautiful run in the Atlantic Ocean. We left SSI at near low tide and had a smooth...
Saint Simons Island ‐ Jun 16, 2018

Fernandina Beach to St. Simons Island

Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island to St. Simons Island

Beautiful run up to SSI yesterday; seas were <2 ft @ ~ 8 seconds and a slight chop and sunny skies! We left at near high tide so our fairway from the marina had deep water and the AICW route back t...
Fernandina Beach ‐ Jun 13, 2018

+8

Amelia Island Tides

St. Augustine to Amelia Island

St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island

Ran the outside today on a calm and flat Atlantic Ocean. Waves were less than 2 ft at 8 second duration. Sweet! No traffic, except for two ocean going ships and made the trip without a hitch. Good thi...
St. Augustine ‐ Jun 12, 2018

+2

Finally, Daytona Beach to St. Augustine

After 11 days in Daytona Beach, we were finally able to head out and up to St. Augustine today. Richard, the service manager at Daytona Boat Works, got the bullet nose assembly late yesterday afternoo...
Daytona Beach ‐ Jun 1, 2018

+8

Down Time in Daytona Beach

Still in Daytona Beach.

Ran into a little problem as we left the marina on Friday. I overshot the approach into the AICW from our marina fairway and soft grounded the boat on the "other" side of the AICW (outside the channel...

Port Canaveral to Daytona Beach

Ran the outside up to Daytona Beach and the Halifax Harbor Marina. The Atlantic Ocean was as smooth and calm as I have ever seen it. It was as though we were on an inland lake or river. Forecast was f...
Port Canaveral ‐ May 30, 2018

+2

Ft. Pierce to Port Canaveral

Fort Pierce to Port Canaveral

Decided to run the AICW again today mainly due to conflicting weather reports. The app Windy indicated 3-foot seas reducing to 2 feet in the PM. NOAA said 3 ft +, not reducing. I’ve learned the Admira...
Fort Pierce ‐ May 29, 2018

+5

Ft. Pierce - Harbor Town Marina

North Palm Beach to Fort Pierce

Traveled the AICW today for the first time. It was as expected - slow, filled with no wake zones, and calm, very few boaters and only an occasional bad behaving boater. Fifty-mile trip took about 5 ho...
North Palm Beach ‐ May 24, 2018

Riding Out Alberto

+2

Miami Beach to North Palm Beach

Riding Out Alberto

Although we are not necessarily in the path of sub-tropical storm Alberto, we have been feeling wind and rain from it for the past 30 hours or so. Last night the wind howled, and we were pelleted with...

Miami Beach to North Palm Beach

Just got in to NPB after running the outside. Weather conditions cooperated and we had 2-3 ft quartering and trailing seas. The 70-mile run burned 100 gal. I’ll do the math later. I looked at running...
Miami Beach ‐ May 22, 2018

+8

Key Largo to Miami Beach

A Day of Sunshine!

Wow! What is the golden orb in the sky?! My oh my, it is the sun! Beautiful day in South Beach. Began the day checking down the engine room. Thought it was time to check all the sea strainers. For tho...

Key Largo to Miami Beach, baby!

Underway @ 0900 hrs and everything ran perfectly! Easy three hour run up the AICW without any rain. Still experiencing strong east to southeasterly wind and a 2 ft chop in the bay. Motored into Biscay...
Key Largo ‐ May 21, 2018

+10

Marathon to Key Largo

Marathon to Key Largo: Running from Liquid FL Sunshine!

We made the decision to move on a day early from Marathon because weather forecasts continued to show all-day rains. Local intel said the inside run would be simple and easy. They were right. Got unde...
Marathon ‐ May 16, 2018

+6

Naples to Marathon Key

Looking Ahead

Supposed to move ahead to Key Largo on Monday but the monsoonal rains continue here in Marathon. I was anticipating running outside to an outside based marina but the forecast of rain and seas of 4 -...

Naples to Marathon Key

We decided to leave lovely Naples a day early because of the monsoonal rains that had begun to beset the area. We spent the weekend with Kevin and Sharon at their condo in Bonita Springs. I can honest...
Naples ‐ May 10, 2018

Naples Area

First day in Naples

Up and at it early this AM for no particular reason. After washing down the boat last night, enjoying a cocktail, we walked only a short distance from the dock to find a lovely French restaurant for d...

Clearwater Beach to Naples

We’re in lovely Naples, FL. I say lovely because the difference from Clearwater Beach Marina (city owned and operated) and here (also city owned and operated) is 180’ apart. Here, in Naples, the dockm...
Clearwater ‐ Apr 19, 2018

Back in Clearwater

+9

Clearwater Beach

+4

PCB to Clearwater

Check down to Naples

Washed the boat today for the trip tomorrow. Checked fluids and everything looks good. Ran through the navigational route and set waypoints into the chart plotter. It’s handy using three points of ref...

Next stop: Naples

Back on the boat after a week away - it’s great to be back! While we were away, we were able to pick up another folding bicycle. This one has 16” wheels and is considerably smaller and lighter than ou...

Back To The Boat #2

Spent a few days with Kristen, Danny and Logan in Lakeland - and had a great time! It felt good to spend a few days on terra ferma. We’re back on the boat and exploring Clearwater Beach. We walked Pie...

PCB to Clearwater Beach

We made it! Departed approximately on time and headed out into the beautiful Gulf of Mexico around 0615 CDT. Initially we were met with 3 feet rollers due to changing tide but the farther we got away...
Panama City ‐ Mar 22, 2018

Sunday at Bay Point

Repair Work

Biking Around

+4

Out For The Day

Back On The Boat

Panama City Beach - Bay Point Marina

Sandestin to Panama City

0530 Hours 18 April Departure

Topped off fuel and pumped out; filled up water and we’re nearly ready to go. I’ll pack the bike after dinner and then head to bed early tonight. Weather forecast is very favorable - seas less than 2...

Zeroing in on Clearwater

Ran through the electronics check this AM - all ok. Tomorrow we’ll top off fuel and pump out. Preliminary time of departure is pre 0600 CDT Wednesday. Weather forecast is calm with seas less than 2 fe...

A Day Without Workmen

Whew! Terry from Marine Maintenance concluded his work around 1700 hrs yesterday. Everything seems to be running and sounding fine. We took MTB out into the Gulf for a test run yesterday afternoon and...

Boat Repair Update

I called Marine Maintenance Wednesday evening and left a message. Jody, the owner called back that night and he and his service tech, Terry, were on board by 1000 hrs Thursday. Terry spent the day tro...

Crossing Update

The AIS is up and running! Awesome to “see” other boats with it! Running through the system check down this PM and discovered a starboard engine / steering / transmission default. I don’t know the ext...

AIS Update and Weather Window

Installation of the AIS began Monday and will end today, hopefully. I don’t think it’s normal for an electronic device installation to take nearly three days but due to mixing of “classic” (read: old)...

Living on a boat.

Not too dissimilar from living on dirt, a boat needs to be maintained and things do break down - usually at the most inopportune time. Yesterday it was the shower box sump pump switch. While mopping t...

Back to the boat #1

After a week or so back home, we returned to the boat on Monday. All doctors’ visits went well (as expected) and we’re good for another 6 months, one year, and five years, as the case may be. The hous...

Back Home

Left the boat in PCB Saturday and drove ~ 6 hours back to ATL. It was melancholy leaving MTB! It's interesting how you adjust to your surroundings. Every day is an active day whether we're traveling o...

Sandestin to Panama City Beach

Another cold start to the day but this time we needed only a jacket over long sleeve t-shirts and shorts. The wind is still up - mostly from the north to northeast around 10. - 15 mph, a mild breeze c...
Miramar Beach ‐ Mar 18, 2018

Baytowne Marina - Windy Day

Baytowne Marina

+3

Running the outside - Pensacola to San Destin

Baytowne Marina

We knew we were in for a couple of bad weather days when we came to Sandestin / Miramar Beach. Rain had been forecasted but what has followed were not a part of our plans. Evidently, the cold front wh...

Rainy Day

It’s been a rainy day today beginning around 0300 hrs. Thankfully we did our grocery run yesterday. This resort is beautiful. It reminds me of Hilton Head Island or Kiawah Island. Primary mode of tran...

Pensacola to San Destin

After two telephone calls, one to Marine Maintenance and the second to his referral, John Zuidewind, John came to the boat Friday and replaced the starboard engine impeller. John’s attention and profe...
Pensacola ‐ Mar 16, 2018

+2

Dog River to Pensacola

Dog River to Pensacola

In Pensacola now and almost back to our original schedule. The Looper admonition keeps ringing in my mind: you can pick the place or the time but neither both. I guess we’ve benefited from conservativ...
Mobile ‐ Mar 14, 2018

+2

Bobby’s Fish Camp to Mobile
Silas ‐ Mar 12, 2018

Bobby’s Fish Camp

Demopolis to Silas, AL a/k/a Bobby’s Fish Camp

I don’t have much battery power remaining in the iPad or phone (have to use a hot spot due to poor WIFI reception) so this will be a short post. Another blustery cold day today on the water. Left Demo...
Demopolis ‐ Mar 8, 2018

Map Tracks

The purveyor of the map tracking software informs me I am unable to trace or track my route directly (automatically) over water. In essence, it's a point to point (straight line) set-up over water. Th...

Kingfisher Marina, Demopolis

Yesterday was a day of recuperation and clean up. I recuperated from standing 7 + hours during the ride to Demopolis. Better sight lines are afforded if you stand rather than sit at the helm given the...

Columbus, MS to Demopolis, AL

A 120-mile trip today in 7 hours including three locks. I’m bushed. Started in 32’ temps with frost on the boat and dock. Ran the entire trip with the heat running. Where is spring? Going to enjoy a b...
Columbus ‐ Mar 7, 2018

Midway Marina to Columbus Marina

The cold front coming through our area caught up with us last night.....sometime during the middle of the night. The winds howled, the boat banged against the dock, and waves lapped up against the hul...
Fulton ‐ Mar 6, 2018

+5

Grand Harbor to Midway

Midway Marina

Got a less than timely departure from Grand Harbor today due to problems with their fuel pumps. We finally pushed off at ~1000 hrs. Took on 150 gallons - excellent fuel economy. However, the delay was...
Iuka ‐ Mar 5, 2018
Iuka ‐ Mar 4, 2018

Joe Wheeler to Grand Harbor

Grand Harbor Marina

Okay, a slow Internet issue yesterday cause my update to disappear into the dark web. This mishap gave me some time to check my postings. I discovered my “route” is being marked according to highways....
Athens, AL ‐ Mar 3, 2018

113.6 km

Joe Wheeler State Park, Rogersville, AL

Well, after a chilly ride yesterday and more cold northerly winds this AM, we ran to JWSP with the generator on and heater running. Much warmer ride! We did the 95-mile run in 5 1/2 hours and saw very...
Scottsboro, AL ‐ Mar 2, 2018

Chattanooga to Scottsboro

Scottsboro,AL

After months of preparation we got away today at precisely 0730. Weather conditions were favorable; sunny but cool and windy. Chickamauga and Nickajack lock masters were waiting for us and we moved th...
Chattanooga, United States ‐ Jan 23, 2018

Waiting It Out

Preparation

Preparations

Our departure date of 1 March is still looking good as of this AM. Recent rains have caused higher water, some minor flooding, and strong currents temporarily closing our first lock-through - Chickama...

Great Loop 2018

Well, we've set our departure date - 1 Mar 2018! Each day we cross more items off the "to-do" list. The reality is beginning to set in!