Wednesday, November 17, 2010
November 12, 2010 Location: WE ARE HOME!
Hurrah! We have completed the Great Loop!!
We ventured out in our Mainship trawler last April from Tampa, traveled north into parts of Canada, back down the U.S. river and canal system, then back home, arriving November 12 – 7 months later. This wonderful adventure, mostly in good weather, took us through several thousand miles of waterways, over 200 locks, 103 nights in marinas, and 99 nights of securing up to a wall or anchoring.
We undertook a somewhat challenging journey for boating novices, but we were ready for this new experience. In the past, we boated closer to home. We spent most of a year making ourselves and Tadpole ready for this extensive voyage. She proved to be a terrific boat for our trip, reliable and economical and, due to our Captain’s diligence, Tadpole was well maintained mechanically and gave us very little difficulty.
Of major importance to us was safety. We made a huge attempt to implement as many safety measures as possible to avoid any accidents, both personal and ship wise. We were successful and have returned with a few “beauty marks” on Tadpole, but none drastic, and none to us.
We found our new way of living challenging, tiring, rewarding, fun, exciting, at times alarming and stressful, a learning experience, a life experience. A truly amazing and thrilling adventure. 2 years ago this was just a thought.
We saw so much of the waterfront scenery in our country and Canada, enjoyed the beauty of every sunrise and sunset, were impressed with the comradeship among the boating community, met so many people we enjoyed being with and will never forget. We also made some very special friends along the way.
On arrival at our dock, Tony sprayed us with “Champagne” making us feel like successful Champions for completing the “Great Loop.”
To all our “followers”, we send a huge thank you for sharing our experience with us, you made it even more enjoyable for us. We thought of you every day when we sat to write down our day’s events.
A special thank you goes to my brother’s, and our entire families for all their encouragement and “push” to follow through with our dream.
Tadpole and crew are safely home – we are enjoying the “space”.
We ventured out in our Mainship trawler last April from Tampa, traveled north into parts of Canada, back down the U.S. river and canal system, then back home, arriving November 12 – 7 months later. This wonderful adventure, mostly in good weather, took us through several thousand miles of waterways, over 200 locks, 103 nights in marinas, and 99 nights of securing up to a wall or anchoring.
We undertook a somewhat challenging journey for boating novices, but we were ready for this new experience. In the past, we boated closer to home. We spent most of a year making ourselves and Tadpole ready for this extensive voyage. She proved to be a terrific boat for our trip, reliable and economical and, due to our Captain’s diligence, Tadpole was well maintained mechanically and gave us very little difficulty.
Of major importance to us was safety. We made a huge attempt to implement as many safety measures as possible to avoid any accidents, both personal and ship wise. We were successful and have returned with a few “beauty marks” on Tadpole, but none drastic, and none to us.
We found our new way of living challenging, tiring, rewarding, fun, exciting, at times alarming and stressful, a learning experience, a life experience. A truly amazing and thrilling adventure. 2 years ago this was just a thought.
We saw so much of the waterfront scenery in our country and Canada, enjoyed the beauty of every sunrise and sunset, were impressed with the comradeship among the boating community, met so many people we enjoyed being with and will never forget. We also made some very special friends along the way.
On arrival at our dock, Tony sprayed us with “Champagne” making us feel like successful Champions for completing the “Great Loop.”
To all our “followers”, we send a huge thank you for sharing our experience with us, you made it even more enjoyable for us. We thought of you every day when we sat to write down our day’s events.
A special thank you goes to my brother’s, and our entire families for all their encouragement and “push” to follow through with our dream.
Tadpole and crew are safely home – we are enjoying the “space”.
Friday, November 12, 2010
November 12, 2010 Location: Dunedin, FL
For the 3rd day in a row, we left just after dawn, splitting the distance from Carrabelle to the Tarpon Springs, Dunedin area. We had waited for the weather to be in our favor and, for most of the trip, it was. The hardest part was yesterday, when we had to keep a constant lookout and avoid catching the many crab traps that were everywhere.
Our decision to stop in Dunedin rather than Tarpon Springs was that it put us into the ICW where we would be more protected from the stronger winds expected today as well as put us closer to home.
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| dodging the crab pots |
Our decision to stop in Dunedin rather than Tarpon Springs was that it put us into the ICW where we would be more protected from the stronger winds expected today as well as put us closer to home.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
travelling south on the Gulf of Mexico from Steinhatchee to the Fl Barge Canal
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| one of our escorts it is so hard to capture a photo of them |
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| does he look bored or thoughtful? |
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Location: Steinhatchee, FL
After the weather forecast improved, Tadpole and Blue Max left Carrabelle Monday afternoon and motored for three hours, anchoring at Alligator Harbor in preparation for our trip across the Gulf of Mexico. We left left early this morning and crossed over to Steinhatchee were we are staying at the Sea Hag Marina. (Tiki’s flirting on the dock resulted in a fisherman sharing some of his catch and giving her a filet of fresh grouper for our dinner..”Delicious”.)
During our crossing today, we were escorted several times by schools of Dolphin..They were so beautiful
swimming along side of us up close and jumping up out of the water as they played. We tried to catch it all on camera, but they jump so fast.
Tomorrow, we will travel down to the Florida Barge Canal were we will anchor prior to advancing to the Clearwater-Dunedin-Tampa area.
During our crossing today, we were escorted several times by schools of Dolphin..They were so beautiful
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| Sea Hag Marina |
Tomorrow, we will travel down to the Florida Barge Canal were we will anchor prior to advancing to the Clearwater-Dunedin-Tampa area.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, October 7, 2010 Location: Carrabelle, FL
We are not home......yet. Had to make another plan change due to a front moving into the upper Gulf of Mexico, causing high winds along with high tides in the Gulf. The forecast at this time shows the weather should be favorable, beginning on Tuesday, the 9th, for us to begin our journey home. We have been in Carrabelle, FL since this past Tuesday, 02 Nov, at the Moorings Marina. We are in a non-floating dock and, with the significant tide swing it is very difficult for me to get on and off the boat. (Picture me – at 5 feet tall – with a low tide in excess of 4 feet!)
Since leaving Panama City, we stopped at Apalachicola and enjoyed a visit with Christine and Allan who stopped by to say Hi on their road trip. The four of us went to the beach on St. George's Island State Park where we walked the beach, picked up shells and had lunch.
We had another very nice treat when our niece, Gena, and greatnieces, Kai and Chloe came from Tallahassee on Thursday for a visit. Yesterday, the entire family, with Steven (hubby and dad), returned for an evening visit and cookout on the grill. We sure loved being able to spend the time with them and, Kai (6) and Chloe (5) sure loved the time spent on the boat. They are beautiful, loving children, much like their Mom. (I’m not prejudiced).
Our float plan right now is to leave Monday afternoon and anchor out in Alligator Bay about 15 miles from here..this will reduce our trip to Steinhatchee on Tuesday by 2 hours, ensuring that we will arrive In daylight hours.
Wednesday we will leave Steinhatchee and cruise south to the Florida Barge Canal where we will anchor for the night.
Thursday on to Tarpon Springs and then down to anchor in Gulfport on Friday before heading for the Tampa Bay. This should have us home on Saturday. Of course, all of this is our plan, and is always subject to change.
Since leaving Panama City, we stopped at Apalachicola and enjoyed a visit with Christine and Allan who stopped by to say Hi on their road trip. The four of us went to the beach on St. George's Island State Park where we walked the beach, picked up shells and had lunch.
We had another very nice treat when our niece, Gena, and greatnieces, Kai and Chloe came from Tallahassee on Thursday for a visit. Yesterday, the entire family, with Steven (hubby and dad), returned for an evening visit and cookout on the grill. We sure loved being able to spend the time with them and, Kai (6) and Chloe (5) sure loved the time spent on the boat. They are beautiful, loving children, much like their Mom. (I’m not prejudiced).
Our float plan right now is to leave Monday afternoon and anchor out in Alligator Bay about 15 miles from here..this will reduce our trip to Steinhatchee on Tuesday by 2 hours, ensuring that we will arrive In daylight hours.
Wednesday we will leave Steinhatchee and cruise south to the Florida Barge Canal where we will anchor for the night.
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| Christine, Allan, Tiki at St. George's Island State Park |
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| Tadpole docked at Appalachacola |
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| Chloe, Gena, and Kai I love you girls |
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