Observations

Another Blog??  Yes, we decided we needed to do some explaining, clarification of what we're actually doing.  Now that we've been out here about 6 weeks and meeting more LOOPers, we're becoming more aware of exactly what all is involved, as we travel the Eastern America waterways on the Great Loop or Great Circle Route.

What is the Great Loop?  It's the waterway that goes from the Great Lakes, through Chicago followed by several inland rivers: Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee.  This leads to the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile Bay and then travel continues either through or around Florida.  then it's up the east coast of Florida (by way of the Intracoastal Waterway), on up the Cheasapeake Bay to New York, on into the Inland waterways ( Hudson River, Erie Canal, etc.).  Then travel is through parts of Canada (Trent-Severn, Georgian Bay, North Channel) and into the Great Lakes again.  It can be completed in 80 days, a year or multiple years, depending on what your plans are and how fast you travel.

Some interesting tidbits:  A couple of days ago a boat pulls in right beside us and we can see from his license, he's from IA (1st one we've seen from IA!).  Upon gettting acquainted with them - they're  from Pella, IA.  What a shocker!
                                    As we are spending more time here in the south, we can remminisce about our years living here.  The "laid back" way of life, the accents (Don says even I have reverted back!), friendly people, the "bubbas", Bible Belt, Guns, Patrotism & Honoring the Military.  We're hearing "Yes, maam", "Yes, sir", Ya'll, Fixin, Honey and more......
                                    We are managing to live aboard our "little" boat, have tried different meals, methods of doing things, even survived a bout of back pain and a lingering head cold. We do lots of walking and grocery shopping by bike (most of the time). tb

           Some people have asked about the boat.  Our boat is verily small for this kind of cruising but it works for us.  The hull is 27' and overall length is around 31' after you add the bow pulpit (the part out front that holds the anchor), the swim platform at the back and the 8' dinghy set on edge with brackets beyond that.  We have a small head (bathroom) with a stool and sink.  It's not very comfortable to stand up in so we sit on the stool when we use the sink.  It also has a shower that you can only use while sitting on the stool.  It makes everything wet so we use the showers at the marinas.  Waste from the stool goes to a holding tank which on our boat is portable.  To empty, it must be uncoupled and dumped in the bathroom at the marina.  This is done after dark as it's not "cool" to be seen walking around the pier with a bucket of ----.  The galley (kitchen) has a sink, small frig, microwave and a two burner electric stove.  The stove only works when we're plugged into "shore power" (AC household current) at a marina.  The frigs works off both AC and DC (batteries) current.  The microwave is AC but we have an 1500 watt "invertor" that converts DC battery power to AC household current so it can be used while under way or at anchor.  We also use a propane camp stove while at anchor.  Across from the galley is a cafe type table that seats four.  The master stateroom (bedroom) is a v-berth in the front of the cabin. That is where the TV is.  We also have a midberth at the back of the cabin.  It has a low ceiling and fits under the helm area (steering, etc.) in the cockpit.  We converted half of this area into a closet but left room for one of us to sleep if we're restless and bothering the other one in the v-berth.  The cockpit is the open part at the back of the boat that includes the helm, seating area, a small portable table and an ice cooler.  We have camper canvas that allowes the entire area to be enclosed.  This is our living room.  You get the idea - it's something like an RV on water.  But it is NOT a houseboat which usually are not much more than  camping trailers that float.   Ours is a real boat.  This blog is long enough.  Later we may try to explain the why's and how's.   db