Watching Tropical Storm Eta approach Southwest Florida has been a learning, not to say harrowing, experience. Eta began in Central America and then headed east over the Gulf of Mexico toward Cuba. Meteorologists predicted that Eta might intensify over the warm waters of the Gulf and/or track onto the main Florida peninsula. Storm Tying. When … Continue reading Lessons From Tropical Storm Eta →

Earlier this week we drove to Fort Myers in a fully-loaded SUV with two e-bikes hanging off the back. Along the way checked out Russell Cave National Monument in Alabama and Rhonda added that stamp to her NPS Passport book. When we arrived at Legacy Harbor Marina, it was good to catch up with boat-neighbor … Continue reading On The BOAT Again! →

Don’t miss the Grand Traverse Bay, the Leelanau Peninsula, and Old Mission Peninsula on your voyage along America’s Great Loop! This area lies along the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. The 45th parallel runs through many of the Northern Hemisphere’s premier wine regions, including Italy’s Piedmont region; the Rhone Valley … Continue reading Harvest at Chardonnay Shores Vineyard →

One year ago, Rhonda and I untied lines and left the dock at Yacht Basin Marina in Holland, Michigan to begin our Great Loop voyage. Then After navigating 2643 miles down the Western Rivers, along the panhandle and west coast of Florida, and across to the Florida Keys, COVID concerns led us to leave the … Continue reading Loopaversary! →

This may sound like a dangerous boating maneuver, but actually it's a reason to celebrate culmination of a unique lifetime experience! When America's Great Loop cruisers complete their 5,000 - 7,000 mile Loop (there are many optional side trips) at the same port they embarked, it is said that they "Cross their Wake." Today Rhonda … Continue reading Crossing The Wake! →

(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 to go, captain" or "Spring line on, captain." In those settings … 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 Marina 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 … Continue reading Neutral is a Gear – We’re Using It →

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 →