Our Great Loop Adventure 2022-23
Who knew the eastern third of the US is actually an island?
After two years of planning and preparation, we embarked aboard M/V See Level on America’s Great Loop from St. Augustine, FL on March 17, 2022. The route would take us along the east coast to NYC, up the Hudson River and Lake Champlain into Canada, through three Great Lakes to Chicago, down the Inland Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico, and around the Florida Keys back to the east coast. When we ‘crossed our wake’ in St. Augustine on April 12, 2023 we had completed over 6000 miles a full Loop.
This journey was not completed by ourselves. Along the way we had the camaraderie of the Looper community. We traveled, had fun and adventures, and weathered adversity with them. We learned from some, and taught others. We also had a wealth of resources from the AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association) to help us with route planning, information, daily updates, and connecting Loopers past, present, and future.
This was a phenomenal adventure that changed how we see ourselves, as well as how we want to live in the future.
These posts tell the story of our Great Loop Adventure.
Fun in St. Augustine and WE START THE GREAT LOOP!!!
Summary: Back in Jacksonville after our side trip up the St. Johns River, our friend Colleen joins us for a week. We explore Jacksonville and cruise down to historic St. Augustine, FL. Departing to return north, we officially start THE GREAT LOOP! After dropping Colleen off back in JAX, Dave and I continue north to...
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The Georgia Coast
Georgia has a relatively small area of coastline, but we think it is one of the hidden gems of the ICW. Wide, sandy, near-deserted beaches. Long stretches of pristine marshland and shore birds interspersed with small hammocks. The few marinas and stops are loaded with personality and history. Many boaters go ‘outside’ to the Atlantic...
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The South Carolina Saunter
We continue moving north, taking our time, along what is now familiar territory for us on the ICW. Then the weather starts to mess with our plans. Along the way, we cross paths again with fellow Loopers we’ve met previously, and meet new ones. Click the Google Map button below to open the map in...
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Blowin’ through North Carolina
Lots of travel days as high winds force us to make quicker time through North Carolina than we had originally planned. But being our third time along this stretch of the ICW, these are familiar towns and stops. We see spring emerging and continued recovery in many of our repeat stops compared to last year. ...
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Yes, Virginia, We’re BA-aaaack
We return to the very familiar Hampton Roads area, setting up shop for a month plus stay to go through the Life Maintenance Checklist. We also spend a week at the Looper Rendezvous in Norfolk. Click the Google Map button below to open the map in a separate window. There you can zoom in/out, and...
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Two Weeks, Two Continents
We hunker down for a whole week of unusual weather on the Chesapeake. Then we head to southwest France for a Celebratory French Garden Party. Fair warning: this blog contains LOTS of photos. Click the Google Map button below to open the map in a separate window. There you can zoom in/out, and click...
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