We've decided to "just do it". We're going to do OUR version of "The Great Loop Cruise", which means we'll be boating OR DRIVING counterclockwise from Florida to NYC, up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal, and then come back south.. maybe "turning right" towards home.. or maybe going through the "Tenn Tom" (Kentucky/Tennessee tributaries off the Mississippi, or spend more time in Florida next winter). (Rob is calling this "The Loopette Route")
Our boat is very small ("Freedom", a 23ft Venture by C-Dory) so don't think badly of us if we decide to drive some of this. We only want to do "fun" boating, not brave the Atlantic or Great Lakes or Mississippi. (I have also a signed contract that says we can stop at a B&B or motel at least once a week).
We've been busy making lists and checking them twice because we take off in less than 2 weeks. It will be a long drive from Nevada but we'll be stopping to visit relatives on the way which will be fun and a nice break from driving. We expect our first real cruising to begin around the Savannah GA and Charleston area. After that we'll come back home (leaving boat and car there) to return again in a month or two. Our next leg will be from Charleston up to Washington DC area. After that, we're not entirely sure how we'll get to NYC and the Hudson but we hope to be doing that this summer and early fall. Basically we plan to be gone for a month or so, home about 6 weeks, rinse and repeat as necessary.
As much as we enjoy boating, this is an opportunity for us to see some of the land based sights in the Eastern states... for Rob to see Civil War sights and a way for me to complete my "bucket list goal" of visiting all of the 50 states. I only have about 10 states to go. I think we can knock off several on this trip but it may mean a side trip or two off our route to do so: Besides South Carolina and Delaware, I hope to hit Kansas and Vermont.. and maybe West Virginia.
We take off mid February, and there won't be meaningful posts until around March 1..For the time being (until we're done cruising), we're keeping this blog private.. for obvious security reasons, but we hope it will prove useful to future "Loopers" once we are home.
Hope you enjoy the blog!
Mary
