(in a happy way!) Last Wednesday was a proud moment for this First Mate! Rick passed the Coast Guard Captain's license exam....with flying colors! He's often been called captain along our Loop as dockhands routinely called out "Stern to port, captain" or "Six feet left, captain" or "Spring line on, captain." In those settings even … Continue reading Oh Captain, my Captain! →

After moving R&R from Marco Island to a safer harbor in Fort Myers, we stayed at Legacy Harbour a few days, catching up with fellow Loopers and completing a number of boat projects. Though we wish we were moving on to new destinations, we are resigned to being “in neutral” until late Fall. Dinner in … Continue reading Neutral is a Gear →

Today, with friend Marilyn, we moved R&R from Marco Island Marina north to Legacy Harbour Marina in Fort Myers, inland on the Caloosahatchee River near downtown Fort Myers. As we headed into the Caloosahatchee on a hot Florida afternoon, we encountered the Saturday boat parade leaving Fort Myers for the Gulf of Mexico, and slowed … Continue reading Perfect Florida Day →

Why Boat? Growing up near many lakes in western Michigan, I loved but took for granted availability of lakes for recreational boating. After moving to Indiana in the late 1970s, I sometimes felt landlocked, but came to enjoy many of Indiana’s rivers and lakes. Rhonda and I continued to be drawn to Michigan’s lakes. We … Continue reading Why Boat? →

Last Thursday the Wall Street Journal published an excellent detailed article about America's Great Loop, highlighting stories and photos of Ben and Laura Stein and their children Madelyn and Molly (of "Have Another Day") and Larry and April Smith and their dog Abby (of "One Eye Dog"). In our Great Loop travels from Michigan to … Continue reading WSJ Article on Intrepid Great Loop Travelers →

R&R (the Boat): Marco Island, Florida until voyage resumes R&R (Captain and First Mate): Holland, Michigan until voyage resumes Departed: September 8, 2019 from Holland, Michigan Waterways: Lake Michigan, Calumet River, Cal-Sag Channel, Illinois River, Mississippi River, Ohio River, Tennessee River, Tenn-Tom Waterway, Tombigbee River, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf of Mexico crossing, Anclote River (Tarpon … Continue reading Voyage Summary from Captain’s Log (3/28/20) →

About a week ago, we were enjoying Faro Blanco Marina in the Florida Keys but feeling ready to continue our Great Loop Voyage, rather than staying through our planned March 31 departure date. Faro Blanco News of the spreading virus had reached us, but had no visible effect on the thousands of vacationers and boaters … Continue reading Things Change →

Yesterday we traveled about 40 miles from Everglades City to Marco Island, Florida. Tiki Hut gazebo at Everglades Isle Unfortunately, we left the dock with the key fob for Everglade Isle RV Resort...But fortunately, Mark Lake devised a long-handled tool to hand the key fob to Rhonda, who drove downstream to meet us. Thanks, Mark … Continue reading Loopus Interruptus →

Yesterday we arrived in Everglades City, a town at the end of Highway 29 in Southwest Florida. We left the Gulf of Mexico and idled up shallow Indian Creek about five miles through a narrow dredged channel to this charming and rustic town. It is the former county seat of Collier County, but in 1962 … Continue reading Everglades City, Airboats R Us →

Not that Voyager ...and not that Voyager ...and certainly not that one ...but THIS Voyager is moving on! R&R has been at two excellent marinas in Marathon, Florida for the past six weeks. We truly enjoyed Marathon and met many new friends. But the Captain had a case of “dock itch” (been there long enough, … Continue reading …And They’re Off!! →