Dolphin plays at our bow. This under-way adventure called The Great Loop is not all fun and frolic. I remind those who envy it that it's also a lot of work, and sometimes stressful. But, oh my, we are lucky lately! Today, as we passed 2,300 miles under way, we received a close-up visit by … Continue reading Dolphins! (Day 111)
Tonight, a lesson in Native American names -- which is appropriate, since this is Native American Heritage Month. We are anchored in Chocktawhatchee Bay, named for the Chocktaw Indian Tribe, on Florida's Emerald Coast. ("Hatchee" means creek or river. A river does run out of this 30-mile-long bay.) We are living one of those scenes … Continue reading Chock-Ta-What? (Day 110 – Stop #60)
Living under way has a rhythm, and it feels odd to interrupt it. It feels odder still to restart it. Sunset at Two George's Marina As we left Pensacola after two weeks in port, we wondered, briefly, if we would remember what to do. But of course we did. Like other habits, it comes right … Continue reading Onward & Eastward (Day 109)
Mr Pelican endorses idling! We remain today in Pensacola, in the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway, on Florida's panhandle. It's our 58th stop since leaving Keweenaw Bay in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on July 30. We've traveled 2,200 miles of waterway. That's more than 1/3 the distance of The Great Loop. At this point, a bit of idling … Continue reading Idling Is Authorized! (Day 108)
Each evening, precisely at sunset, outdoor movement stops at Naval Air Station Pensacola as "retreat" is played over loud speakers and the national ensign is lowered. This is called Evening Colors. The same thing happens at 8 a.m., when the national anthem is played and the ensign (flag) is raised. This is called Morning Colors. … Continue reading Retreat (Day 105)
Maintenance of both boat and body is a constant requirement under way -- and in port, too. We know this. In spite of our diligence, we've had a few setbacks in this port. We eat healthfully on the boat, but that hasn't prevented Jeff's bout with vertigo. We give the boat TLC, but that hasn't … Continue reading Adapting (Day 101)
The momentum of The Great Loop seems to be always forward. On to the next destination! People always ask "where are you headed next?" It's like a good story or series. It needs a new chapter! But sometimes, "the story" is right where you are. If doing The Loop is meant to see America, as … Continue reading NAS Pensacola (Days 96-98)
Our 10th state on The Great Loop welcomed us in grand style -- with a performance by The Blue Angels! That's how it felt anyway. We passed over the border from Alabama into Florida just in time to watch the Navy's precision flight team practice for its upcoming air show in its hometown. This meant … Continue reading Into Florida (Day 95)
We've seen dolphins, a 'gator, and sunken sailboats. Also bayous. You know you're in the south when you're in a bayou..."southern" for a swampy area. (More or less.) We've entered the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). After crossing the wide-and-shallow Mobile Bay -- about 30 miles across -- we spent last night at Lulu's Homeport … Continue reading The Intracoastal (Days 93-94)
Just who are these people who do The Great Loop? It's said that fewer than 200 boats complete the loop each year, but many more do at least part of it. We've met at least 70 if them in three months under way. I began to ask them the same questions: Where and when did … Continue reading Who Are “The Loopers?”
For Many Moons 