Terrace View Marina, Watts Bar Lake, TN

Terrace View Marina / Spring City, 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 slightly closer to Watts Bar Lock than Blue Springs Marina. One can tell the TN summer boating season is...

Headwaters of Little TN River

Chilhowee Dam, TN  • 
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 farthest point we could travel on the Little TN River. I have to say that this section of the greater TN Ri...

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

Ft. 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 over 1 1/2 hrs to fuel up and pump out!! We were the first (and only) boat at the fuel dock!! I grew...

Chattanooga to Blue Springs, TN

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 has been a beautiful early fall day that we long for each year. After seven consecutive days of rain,...

2021 Update

Chattanooga - Home Port!  • 
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 of my mother, evaluating traveling plans both on land and water, and adjusting to the "next stage"...

Mom's Passing

Green Bay,WI  • 
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 treatment and enter into hospice care last August. She lasted about five months since she made that...

We Made It! Completed Great Loop!

Chattanooga - Home Port!  • 
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 to eat, and go to bed! Good Saturday morning! We must be running on adrenaline! Awoke at 0500 and roa...

Downtown Chattanooga

Chattanooga - Downtown  • 
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 Riverfront docks in downtown Chattanooga until the river reopens at 1800 hrs.

Sitting in the Rain

Scottsboro, AL  • 
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 on to Chattanooga. The cold front is moving diagonally from the southwest to the northeast and I calc...

To Goose Pond Marina

Scottsboro, AL  • 
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 windows as a car’s would on the interstate. From Decatur to Guntersville Lock we saw two pleasure crafts (...

Aqua Harbor / Iuka, MS to Decatur, AL

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 steady. We were able to get two quick lock throughs at Wilson Lock, (the tallest / deepest lock) and Whee...

Back to Aqua Harbor

Iuka, MS  • 
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! What’s up with this? All other fluids check-out okay. Hmmm. I guess we’re not traveling Monday after...

Weather Delay

Iuka, MS  • 
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 where the boat is located and where we are to travel so we decided to stay home for a couple more d...

Call from Aqua Harbor

Iuka, MS  • 
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 loose cable connection on CPU under helm station, prop drive alignment (both engines/drives), engin...

Atlanta Update

Everything on the home front appears to be good. The house is in good shape as we open more things and re-establish our dirt lifestyle. The only issue discovered thus far has been my desktop computer - apparently the hard drive has died and I am unable to “reboot” the computer. I’m not going to inve...

Back Home 2019

We’re back home in Atlanta! Got home last night. But it wasn’t easy. We had made reservations with Enterprise Car Rental, got a confirmation number and we’re all set to pick up a car at noon, right? Not so fast! We received a telephone call at 1000 hrs informing us they hadn’t a car for us. Huh? We...

Potentiometers

Iuka, MS  • 
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 somewhere between three of the four on-board computers. The solution is to ohm test the wiring compone...

They Lied!

Iuka, MS  • 
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 misbehaving and I’m unwilling to travel any distance with it malfunctioning. Fortunately the marina...

Rainy Day in Mississippi!

Iuka, MS  • 
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 sunny with a high in the upper 70’s! This will be a welcome change from the summer like temps of the up...

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

Iuka, MS  • 
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 danced until Looper midnight (2100 hrs!). In spite of threatening weather, we got up and were underw...

New Johnsonville to Clifton, TN

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 in the road when severe weather struck. We’re in another tiny town named Clifton, TN alongside the...

Green Turtle Bay to New Johnsonville, TN

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 low in the upper 50’s. Big change! This area of the TN River is beautiful. The river is very wide wi...

Gearing Up for Last Leg

Grand Rivers, KY  • 
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 none too soon. I over-worked myself the other day and have been moving slowly and staying in the a/c as...

Paducah to Grand Rivers / Green Turtle Bay, KY

Grand Rivers, 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 Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and all of the drama surrounding lockage wore me out. So nice to be...

Cape Girardeau, MO to Paducah, KY

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 best or it will beat you up. We made it from our overnight anchorage just south of Cape Girardeau t...

Kaskaskia L&D to Cape Girardeau, MO

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 anchorage with a steady water flow that keeps your bow pointed upstream and without need for a stern ancho...

Grafton to Kaskaskia L&D

Kaskaskia L&D a/k/a Jerry Costello L&D, IL  • 
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 increased by at least 3 mph once we merged with the Missouri River. We traveled through two locks on...

Grafton Update

Grafton, IL  • 
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 to accommodate us due to receding water levels! They are concerned the inlet to the marina has insuff...

Beardstown to Grafton, IL

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, IL. Food was pretty good, but the entertainment offered by a nearby, clearly drunken woman was bet...

Peoria to Beardstown, IL

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 limited menu for dinner - chicken wings and sliders! I went for the combo! Let me say the people at I...

Henry, IL to Peoria, IL

Peoria Heights, 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 around the root of a tree, remove the back spring line and stern line, jump on the boat and have Bar...

Ottawa to Henry, IL

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 by the impending closedown. Hallelujah!! A collective shout was given over the radio as our group o...

Stayed Put!

Ottawa, IL  • 
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. The USACoE is recommending Loopers travel in smaller groups now after traveling through the Marseille...

Joliet to Ottawa, IL

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 traveled but we’re in a flotilla that has grown to 28 boats! This leg of the trip has been the most dif...

Stuck in Joliet

Joliet, IL  • 
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 flotilla called to the lock masters and discovered we could pass through one but not two locks today. And,...

Chicago to Joliet, IL

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 cool! The Chicago River south of downtown and the Illinois River are heavily industrial and not very...

Chicago Update

Chicago, IL  • 
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 morning, I began my engine room check down, topping off fluids and looking over everything. That's whe...

Racine to Chicago

Chicago, IL  • 
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 gone missing. I’ll need to keep it brief because we need to soon leave for the architectural boat tour...

Sheboygan to Racine, WI

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 Thursday night - outstanding! Everything is made daily, and the pasta was incredibly good. Last night we a...

Sturgeon Bay to Sheboygan, WI

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 here with a southeast breeze; currently it’s 66’! Water temps have dropped, too. Readings ranged fr...

In Sturgeon Bay Again

Sturgeon Bay, WI  • 
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 time we were on the boat. We had decreasing northwest winds and a calming sea - 1-2’. We’re in Sturge...

Back to the Boat

Green Bay,WI  • 
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 condition has stabilized. Our focus now is to get to Chicago and into and through the Illinois River. I am...

Mom Update

Green Bay,WI  • 
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 weather window. Although it appears our best weather window is to travel now, we’ve decided not to mov...

Mom and Appleton, WI

Green Bay,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 incredibly mentally alert and sharp. However, she has spinal stenosis, a severe spinal compression th...

Egg Harbor to Green Bay

Green Bay,WI  • 
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 for Lake Michigan but not for the bay. We pounded our way down the throat of this headwind and the bo...

Rainy Day in Egg Harbor

Egg Harbor, WI  • 
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, refueled the boat and are prepared to push off for Green Bay tomorrow morning. My sister reports our mother...

Fayette, MI to Egg Harbor, WI

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 for two reasons. One, I wasn’t feeling too well, and two, the WiFi was not secure and there was no al...

Harbor Springs to Fayette, MI

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 minutes and got our business taken of while admiring a 217’ yacht docked at the municipal dock by the...

Forecast

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 out then hit the bay and open waters. Course is nearly westerly, adjusting slightly for the Fox Isla...

Countdown to Move On Date

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 working our way into the Bay of Green Bay and a stop at Green Bay. We need to travel this route bec...

Tour of Tiara Yachts HQ

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 yacht! The little town of Holland is located about 4 hours south of Harbor Springs very near Lake Mich...

Weekend Plans

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 leg of our trip. We have now learned that from 10 September to 21 September, the locks will operate...

LTYC and Travel Plans

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 with highs in upper 70’s to low 80’s. We may take a run to Charlevoix today. Yesterday we motored ar...

Returning to Our Seasonal Beginning Point

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 put for another winter. Decisions, decisions! The Illinois River is to close a series of locks for rep...

Back to Harbor Springs!

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 seas today before turning at Gray’s Reef to enjoy (not really) a beam sea for 5 miles when we were...

Great Service!

Cheboygan  • 
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 mile to deliver high customer service and satisfaction. Case in point: yesterday we had the props inst...

Idle Time

Cheboygan  • 
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 a nice older course and set up originally build in 1922. It plays up and down with a lot of blind sh...

Repair Update

Cheboygan  • 
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 props so that will occur later. The diagnosis for the radio is to get a new one. I’ll be surfing the...

Sault Ste Marie to Cheboygan, MI

Cheboygan  • 
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 one of them. After looking over our calendar, we determined it would be best to go to Cheboygan to...

Grand Marais to Sault Ste Marie, MI

Sault Ste. Marie  • 
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 uneventful. We came back through the Canadian lock with a tour boat, two PWC’s, and two small day-tri...

Marquette to Grand Marais

Grand Marais, MI  • 
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 and we enjoyed about a 2 mph push from the westerly winds and made excellent time - about 30 minute...

Land Cruise to Copper Harbor

Marquette, MI  • 
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 northern part of mainland Michigan and a launch point for those intrepid travelers going to Isle Royale, a...

Munising to Marquette, MI

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. Sea depth ranged from 20 ft to 360 ft. I’m glad we were able to experience Lake Superior at her cal...

Grand Marais to Munising, MI

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 much calmer than yesterday. We cut hard to port and began running parallel along the shoreline wester...

Grand Marais

Grand. Marais, MI  • 
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 not calm today. A northeasterly wind was producing a steady chop of 2-3 ft. We walked to the breakw...

Grand Marais, Michigan

Grand. Marais, MI  • 
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 July 4th, and terrific fireworks last night. The forecast for early morning rain showers held true but...

Whitefish Bay, MI

Sault Ste. Marie, 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 southern portion of Whitefish Bay. On our way back to town we visited the Bay Mills Indian Reservation wher...

Engineers Day

Sault Ste. Marie, MI  • 
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. Additionally, the USCG holds an open house and allows the general public into its secured yards and on...

In the Sault!

Sault Ste. Marie, MI  • 
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 European (French & English) and Native American history here. The city was named by a French Jesuit prie...

On to the Sault!

Drummond Island, MI  • 
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, stock up on some hard to find supplies and go to the bank. We chose a great day because it rained a...

Summertime in Drummond Island

Drummond Island, MI  • 
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 ourselves. It was about a 4-5 mile walk just past the airport. Guy who owns the rental company said...

Summer Solstice

Drummond Island, MI  • 
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 2215 hrs! First light occurs at 0505 hrs and last light was at 2208 hrs. It was a beautifully sunny...

Gore Bay to Drummond Island, MI, USA

Drummond Island, MI  • 
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 temperatures cooperated- high in the mid 60’s. In Drummond Island people are actually walking around in...

To Killarney and Back to Gore Bay and Connectivity

Gore Bay, ON  • 
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; it’s too much of a story to relate after a 6 hour ride through 5’ seas and a couple of post trip / b...

Gore Bay to Little Current via Crocker Island

Little Current, ON  • 
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 suggested we go to Crocker Island, about 15 miles to the northeast of Gore Bay in the southern Benja...

Another Beautiful Day

Gore Bay, ON  • 
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 several km trail around Gore Bay (locals pronounce as nearly one word - Gorebay!) to the bluff overloo...

DeTour, MI to Gore Bay, ON

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 waiting a day because our travel conditions were beautiful - calm seas and a gentle east wind. The...

Down Day.

De Tour Village, MI  • 
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 inside of the boat and take of business via the Internet. We literally did not leave the boat the e...

Hessel to DeTour Village, MI

De Tour 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’ but it felt like 46’! Winds had calmed overnight a bit so since most of the trip would be protected by...

Cheboygan to Hessel / Les Cheneaux

Hessel, Les Cheneaux, MI  • 
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 eastern UP. It’s about an 1 1/2 hour run around Bois Blanc Island, just to the east of Mackinac Island,...

Mackinac Island to Cheboygan

Cheboygan, MI  • 
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 to meet them head on and powered up as spray from the waves covered the bow and helm. Once we got ou...

Touring Mackinac Island

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 “post” and in a flash the entry was forever lost because of our spotty Internet connection. I had forgot...

Harbor Springs to Mackinac Island

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 coffee, and then began the process of shutting things down in preparation of departing. I noticed, ho...

Radar Update

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 “classic” (read: old) electronics are no longer supported by the manufacturer. Parts are in a dwindling...

Inaugural Run.

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 little cool, we ran everything while underway including the generator and all of the HVAC units, etc....

Sunshine Monday

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 engine room, checking all of the vital fluid levels and looking over the transmission seal / gasket repai...

Rainy Day Sunday

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 component affects us as the marina and harbor are exposed. Thankfully we’re a few slips to the west than...

Back on the Boat!

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 broken you remember that things are relative.....where at home the a/c has been on for a couple weeks,...

Back to the Boat!

We've received the green light from the marina - they are to launch Meant To Be on May 15th! We're in process of closing the house and will soon be on the road to Harbor Springs! Can't believe it's been 6 months since we've been home / off the boat. It's taking a little time to remember all of the l...

Rotary Club of Alpharetta

Last Friday, March 29th, we had the privilege of presenting our Great Loop Adventure to the Rotary Club of Alpharetta. Background for this invitation is as coincidental as life itself. While attending the Christmas party for the Peach State Cadillac and LaSalle Club in December, we ran into a friend...

Update at Holiday Time

We've wrapped up Christmas in ATL and will soon be into all of the college football bowl games over the next week or so. Since we've left the boat, the props have been re-speed treated (an anti-barnacle coating), and the engine and generator oil / filters / impellors changed. I'm evaluating whether...

Don’t Get Off the Boat!

We got home late Saturday night, October 6. As expected it was bittersweet coming off the boat but temperatures were steadily dropping and our 2018 boating season was coming to a close. We emptied and defrosted the refrigerators, cleaned cupboards, and looked through our cubbyholes and closets for c...

Countdown to Departure

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 Huron, and all of Lake Superior. We have not been able to catch a multiple day weather window since we r...

Departure Date

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 the appeal to do the Loop was to spend time in the Great Lakes. This is an area in which we know a l...

Missing Photos

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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! Maybe Internet connections have something to do with it, too. Keep an eye on the photo section becaus...

Sister Bay to Harbor Springs

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 peninsula plain and back to the shore. The terrain is rocky and has fewer sandy areas than that of north...

Egg Harbor to Sister Bay, WI

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, this little bay has all of the charm of Egg Harbor but at water level instead of from a bluff. As...

Sturgeon Bay to Egg Harbor, WI

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 anything from approaching this region as temps have gradually risen to the upper 70’s / low 80’s. A...

Frankfort, MI to Sturgeon Bay, WI

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 location. From Frankfort, the leeward side of the lake, seas were relatively flat; however, by mid-lake...

Northport to Frankfort, MI

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 we had a trailing sea and made great time with exceptional fuel economy. Once we rounded the tip of...

Harbor Springs to Northport, MI

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 yesterday - cool northerly winds, a clearing sky and much lower humidity. We eventually pushed off at 1030...

Plans for Next Season

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 leg of journey for the season: going to Wisconsin to visit family and then returning to Harbor Sprin...

Preparing to Move On

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 and south is Northport. Northport is located near the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula in Grand Travers...

Played Golf

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 were well watered. The roughs were a different matter! We also played Springbrook Hills near Boyne F...

Life in Harbor Springs

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 slept in, walked to town for dinners and even took in a movie in nearby Petoskey (The Spy Who Dumpe...

Good Morning Harbor Springs

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
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 were reflecting yesterday about the travel adventure that got us here. In 30 days we traveled from Cap...

Harbor Springs, MI!

Harbor Springs, MI  • 
We made it!

Back into the USA!

Drummond Island, MI  • 
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 hours and I felt we could have gone farther. I checked into the country via the CBP app and within mi...

Officially in the Great Lakes - Lake Huron

Tobermory, ON  • 
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 the TSW, exiting had its challenges. To begin with the lock is the smallest in length and narrowest...

Orillia to Port Severn, ON.

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 into a travel-lift sling and moved over a road via a rail and pulley system. Absolutely incredible!...

Bolsover to Orillia

Orillia, ON  • 
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, just above Lake Simcoe. Lake Simcoe was a welcomed relief after another shallow and narrow canal p...

Bobcaygeon to Bolsover, ON

Kawartha Lakes / Bolsover  • 
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 for the timid. You either make the move or not. Cruise speed ranged from full cruise speed (24 mph)...

Lakefield to Bobcaygeon, ON

Kawartha Lakes / 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 filled waters. It was probably the most navigationally challenging part of our journey thus far. The for...

Peterborough to Lakefield, ON

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 and clean as other Canadian towns and cities. Found the liquor store before dinner and restocked last...

Campbellford to Peterborough

Peterborough, ON  • 
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 Peterborough after 1730. Need to check out Peterborough; home of the Peterborough Petes, a major junior...

Campbellford, ON

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 insightful. Spending the night on the wall in Campbellford. Fortunately, Dan and Mary Schott (from Sturgeon B...

Oswego to Trenton, ON

Quinte West / Port 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! Three-to-four-foot waves from the northeast and a steady northeast wind drenched the boat. However, o...

Sylvan Beach to Oswego, NY

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 50-mile run today through 8 locks, one on Erie Canal and seven on the Oswego Canal. The rain brought...

St. Johnsville to Sylvan Beach, NY

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. Call a local restaurant and they will send a car for you and return you to the dock after dinner! I th...

Schenectady to St. Johnsville, NY

Saint 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 we’ve enjoyed a warm, sunny day. About an 80-mile trip today. We didn’t know how far we could go toda...

Meeting Relatives Along the Way.

New Baltimore, NY  • 
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 my cousin, Andrea and her husband, Jim! It’s a small world!

New Baltimore (Albany) to Schenectady, NY

Schnectady (Rexford), 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, no wake zones and of course, the locks! Traveled further up the Hudson River, past Albany to Troy, N...

Croton on Hudson to New Baltimore (Albany), NY

New Baltimore, 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, wide river, smooth water, commercial tows and cargo ships, rock cliffs and lots of trees. We’re in...

Brielle, NJ to Croton on Hudson, NY

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 was very simple and sea conditions very benign: <2 ft at 8 seconds from the east. Headed northeas...

Atlantic City to Manasquan / Brielle, NJ

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 hatches open! Our location in the marina was tops! We were about halfway down the dock, perpendicul...

Ocean City, MD to Atlantic City, NJ

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 and produce 6-10 ft seas. By 0600 we were pulling away from the dock and entered the ocean to face...

Hampton, VA to Ocean City, MD

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 watching it from the bow of the boat. The ride to Ocean City was without incident. Again the ocean was our...

Manteo, NC to Hampton, VA

Hampton  • 
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 Manteo to the Oregon Inlet, about a 20-mile southward trip in narrow channels with considerable shoal...

Pamlico Sound / Ocracoke / Cape Hatteras to Manteo, NC

Manteo  • 
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 islands (the Outer Banks) and the mainland. It is also very shallow and tricky due to constant tidal...

Beaufort to Pamlico Sound / Ocracoke / Cape Hatteras, NC

Ocracoke  • 
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 northeasterly the ride became a lot of fun. Riding on top and then down the wake is like surfing the wa...

Bald Head Island to Beaufort, NC

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 everything went as described and I am glad we traveled this route for more experience. Which, in th...

Georgetown, SC to Bald Head Island, NC

Southport  • 
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 had a beautiful run in the early morning sunlight. We saw only one ship in our 4 hrs at sea. The inle...

Charleston to Georgetown, SC

Georgetown  • 
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 until Monday. With oil changes complete, new fuel filters on the generator and a new supercharger on...

Enjoying Charleston

Charleston, SC  • 
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 streets that connect the two rivers and occasionally we’ll take the perpendicular streets to and from the...

HHI to Charleston

Charleston, SC  • 
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, nearest the marina, rather than traveling the AICW north to Port Royal Sound as we had entered. I cho...

SSI to HHI

Hilton Head Island  • 
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 entry into the ocean, and we arrived in HHI at near high tide to a calm inlet. Timing of tidal flows...

Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island to St. Simons Island

Saint 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 to the inlet was easily navigable. Evidently Hurricane Irma “relocated” some of the channel markers w...

St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach  • 
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 thing Fernandina Beach marina could not take us for two nights - they have no fuel! Had to travel a bit...

Finally, Daytona Beach to St. Augustine

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 afternoon and we were in the sling at 0900 today to have them installed. MTB ran like a charm on the AICW. W...

Still in Daytona Beach.

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 markings). I shut down the engines and generator and checked our location relative to depth contour...

Port Canaveral to Daytona Beach

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 for two-foot seas at eight second intervals and it was that and then some! Got some of the best open...

Fort Pierce to Port Canaveral

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 Admiral likes a smooth ride, so I defaulted to go inside. Good decision. Big thunderstorms (a/k/a FL sunsh...

North Palm Beach to Fort Pierce

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 hours and burned about 33 gal. Clearly showing you can achieve greater fuel mileage if you go slowly....

Riding Out Alberto

North Palm Beach  • 
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 rain showers. This morning, we’ve felt and seen wind coming from all directions. I’ve been wonderin...

Miami Beach to North Palm Beach

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 the inside, but it looks to be a serious hassle. So many slow zones and bridges. Clearing Miami inle...

A Day of Sunshine!

Miami Beach  • 
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 those who don’t know a sea strainer from a tea strainer let me introduce you the first line of defense...

Key Largo to Miami Beach, baby!

Miami Beach  • 
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 Biscayne Bay toward downtown Miami and into the shipping channel / Port of Miami. Headed out toward the At...

Marathon to Key Largo: Running from Liquid FL Sunshine!

Key Largo  • 
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 underway around 0900 hrs after an early morning dousing, we came across only one sustained rain shower....

Looking Ahead

Marathon  • 
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 - 5 ft + appear to preclude that idea. We’re experiencing a consistently southeasterly wind up to 15 k...

Naples to Marathon Key

Marathon  • 
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 honestly say that when you travel by water you can easily lose your land bearings. Bonita Springs is somew...

First day in Naples

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 dinner - Bleu Provence. Outstanding Pompano fish. Today, after breakfast we’ll explore more of the to...

Clearwater Beach to Naples

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 dockmaster actually greets you, takes a line, tends to the fuel and coordinates your visit including meet...

Check down to Naples

Clearwater  • 
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 reference to prepare for the next leg. I have Navionics software on my phone and iPad, paper charts and...

Next stop: Naples

Clearwater  • 
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 our other folding bike. It’s a beautiful day here and we rode the bikes over to Sand Key, a key locate...

Looper Conference

We’ve been in Norfolk, VA this week attending the spring Looper’s conference. This material covered the northern half from the Chesapeake to the Tn Tom. Spring is just beginning to break in the VA, MD, NJ, NY region so from a timing perspective we don’t need to be in NY harbor until late May / early...

Back To The Boat #2

Clearwater  • 
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 Pier 60, a long pier extending out into the Gulf with a cache of local vendors each night. We missed th...

PCB to Clearwater Beach

Clearwater  • 
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 from the inlet the smoother the ride became. We paralleled the coast eastward toward Port St. Joe ab...

0530 Hours 18 April Departure

Panama City  • 
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 feet and decreasing as we travel southeastward. Destination is Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina on...

Zeroing in on Clearwater

Panama City  • 
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 feet. My guesstimate is 10 hours running plus one hour for time change to EDT. That should have us in...

A Day Without Workmen

Panama City  • 
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 enjoyed a wild ride through 3 foot seas and a building south wind. I continue to be impressed with...

Boat Repair Update

Panama City  • 
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 trouble shooting the issue (through computer diagnostics and re-creating the default). Two issues were...

Crossing Update

Panama City  • 
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 extent of the default but I’m considering any default at this time serious. Trouble shooting through th...

AIS Update and Weather Window

Panama City  • 
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) equipment with new, high-powered equipment it requires the right integration. The first day could n...

Living on a boat.

Panama City  • 
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 the exterior of the boat following the rains, I heard water being discharged near the starboard (righ...

Back to the boat #1

Panama City  • 
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 house is fine, and we switched from heat to A/C since we don’t know when we’ll be home again. Now to upd...

Back Home

Panama City  • 
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 or in port. E verything on the home front looks fine. Amazing how "big" our house is! Traveling on...

Sandestin to Panama City Beach

Panama City  • 
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 compared to the previous days! We took the inside pass on the GICW and made the trip in about 4 hours...

Baytowne Marina

Miramar Beach  • 
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 which came through the southeast and Monday produced tornadoes in northern AL also brought sustained h...

Rainy Day

Miramar Beach  • 
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 transportation are golf carts, and there are some beauties. Woodies, Rolls Royce grills and some pimp-my...

Pensacola to San Destin

Miramar Beach  • 
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 professionalism is second to none. Within an hour the job was completed, and we had full engine power and...

Dog River to Pensacola

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 conservative planning and better than expected traveling conditions. The run across Mobile Bay was beautiful in...

Bobby's Fish Camp to Mobile Bay

Made it into greater Mobile area yesterday after a long run of dodging floating trees and maneuvering around tows. The port of Mobile is larger than I thought. It was really cool to boat alongside massive ocean-going container ships and then run the channel out into Mobile Bay! Thank goodness for al...

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

Silas  • 
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 Demopolis and the TN Tom and entered the Black Warrior River. Strong north winds and a swift current mad...

Map Tracks

Demopolis  • 
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. This was not the premise under which I purchased the package. However, it is what it is - I bought it,...

Kingfisher Marina, Demopolis

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 rise of the bow while underway. And since there has been debris in the water you need to be aware o...

Columbus, MS to Demopolis, AL

Demopolis  • 
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 beverage or two and write about it tomorrow. In Demopolis for four nights with rain and predicted sto...

Midway Marina to Columbus Marina

Columbus  • 
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 hull. We woke up to cloudy skies (the weatherman lied), strong northerly winds and air temp in the mid...

Midway Marina

Fulton  • 
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 not without its benefits. We met a guy who was the previous harbor master. He shared his experience...

Grand Harbor Marina

Iuka  • 
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. I’m trying to correct the routing and show it via the waterways. Please bear with me. So, we made i...

Joe Wheeler State Park, Rogersville, AL

Athens, 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 little traffic. Passed one barge (too quickly; sorry for the wake) and saw what seemed to be a hund...

Scottsboro,AL

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 through the locks without delay. River current was strong but manageable and fuel consumptions was ~ 1...

Waiting It Out

In Chattanooga waiting for a break in the rain in order to top off fuel and pump out holding tank. Checked TVA this AM and they’re flowing about 58k cfs (cubic feet per second) while adding 69k cfs which means they’re retaining water instead of allowing all of the accumulated rain to flow through. T...

Departure Update

Weather and river conditions appear to be best for a Friday, March 2 departure. Heavy rains have effected the TN River and caused the Tenn - Tom River to flood. I'm hopeful we'll be able to come behind the rains and high water conditions to progress down the Tenn - Tom. Loaded the boat with clothes...

Alternative mode of transportation!

We acquired our first folding bicycle! I can only imagine that I’ll look like a Shriner clown riding it! Working on acquiring AIS (Automated Identification System) for the chart plotter. AIS transmitter allows your boat to be “seen” by other boats equipped with an AIS receiver (required on all comme...

Preparations

Chattanooga  • 
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 - Chickamauga Dam. We’re hopeful for drier weather over the next week. Temps have already moderated albeit too...

Great Loop 2018

Chattanooga  • 
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!