The Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. Here we are with the previous owners of ITHAKA at the Looper rendezvous in Joe Wheeler State Park in October 2012. This is when we signed a contract to buy Bob White and Cathryn Rice's boat NEXT TO ME, before they had even finished their Loop. They would become great friends and mentors.
This is for all the number crunchers out there, like me, who enjoy the statistics of a trip such as this, so bear with me.
We spent 375 days on the water, traveling 6,169 miles and spending 702 hours and 23 minutes at the helm. That gave us an average speed of 8.8 MPH.
We crossed or traveled on 46 rivers.
We transited through 16 states and 1 foreign country.
We crossed 3 of the Great Lakes
We traveled on the Atlantic Ocean for three days.
We crossed 200 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, at night, in dense fog, in 22 hours and 15 minutes.
We crossed 12 large lakes.
We crossed 13 bays/sounds and harbors.
We transited 7 canals or waterways.
We transited through 108 locks.
Our longest mileage day was 121 SM
Our longest day in hours was 11 hours
Our shortest mileage day was 4 SM
Our shortest day in time was 45 minutes
The most locks transited in one day was 12
The picture below depicts the 48 publications, charts, maps, cruising guides and reference books we used throughout this year long journey. Taken together, they weigh 82 pounds.
Sara at the helm practicing docking ITHAKA
At the helm, keeping an eye on things.
At the chart table with the ever present paper charts and the iPad that never failed us, with the "little brown line" that helped keep us on course.
Sara's favorite place, the "Holy Place", the engine room. Luckily, her many other duties kept her out of here.
Handling the lines while locking through or docking, she became an expert at this as well.
Taking a break to watch a parade.
Resupplying the boat with provisions was always a challenge without a rental car or courtesy car from the marina.
A new boat owner and a new Captain! Life is good!
The "seasoned" Captain at the helm.
Taking my turn at the chart table.
The "sea dog" sitting at the table in the salon. This was my work place, reading place inside.
All dressed up in my BC glasses and ITHAKA hat.
A real Indian and a real Canadian Mounted Policewoman. It doesn't get any better than that.
Good friends and fun times along the Loop. Sara and Anne from ASSISTED LIVING.
A street festival in Canada ......
..........with our friends Rob and Linda
One of the many highlights of the trip was spending several days in New York City with Sara's daughter and grandkids, Erin, John, Ben and Katie, here at the 911 memorial.
The KIDS with the skyline of NY
A little relaxation for Erin on the sundeck
We got to spend a great day and night with my cousin Cindy and her husband Mark enjoying the sundeck then dinner and a play in the Big Apple.
Just a little Sunday afternoon cruise in our own private golf cart on the island of Boca Grande, Florida.
On Top of the Rock in NYC
The new skyline of NYC with the almost complete One World Trade Center. It will never be the same without the Twin Towers!
Coming in from the Atlantic Ocean and passing the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, in our own boat, will be a memory that will last a lifetime.
The beautiful NYC skyline at night, as seen from our sundeck.
ITHAKA coming out of the lock and headed for Joe Wheeler, all powered up!
ITHAKA leaving "paradise" after ten weeks in Key West.
And the sun sets on our once in a lifetime trip and adventure.........
.............until the next adventure.
What a thrill to find this final update with photos of highlights, trip data and stories. It tugged at my heartstrings and brought tears of joy to my eyes! What a great adventure you had, and what a fabulous job you two did of mastering the skills you needed, embracing the fun of it all, and making your dream come true. We think it's way too early to ask "what's next?", but nonetheless can't wait to find out. Downside of doing the Loop is you need the adrenaline rush of Adventure forevermore. Congratulations, big hugs, and please do keep in touch!
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