Boat U.S. - January 2009 - (Page 70)

La Lak up ke S erio an r e Lak Hur on ie e hig Mic together. We wanted to learn more about our country, meet new people, and see places we’d most likely never see unless we were traveling by boat. We set off. • NY Chicago • sR ive r Lak e Er Illinoi O River hio Annapolis • • Norfolk Cum Riv er berland River • Charleston Missisippi Ten nessee River Mobile • • Stewart Ft. Myers • The Great Loop Route The American Great Loop takes cruisers 6,000 miles around the eastern half of the U.S. Selling the house was a tough decision, and one we didn’t take lightly. We’d spent 15 years upgrading it, and it was in top shape. I’d wanted to rent it; Lisa wanted to sell. She felt that we’d worked so hard to get the house the way we wanted it, why risk renting it and letting it get run down? For us, putting the house up for sale turned out to be the right decision. It sold before real estate slumped in Michigan, and relieved us of housing worries while we were cruising. In 2005, I’d come to a point in my life where I no longer felt like I’d live forever. I think this happens to all of us at some point. For me, the realization hit close to home because of the deaths of some people I knew, most of whom were my age. After talking and thinking and talking and thinking, Lisa and I decided we had enough money, that we wanted to live more simply. Beyond the fact that we love everything about boating (except for the cost of fuel), we craved embarking on the 6,000-mile adventure, BoatU.S. Magazine January 2009 Ports & Harbors: Smaller Is Better The Great Loop may be an extraordinary 6,000-mile cruising destination, but for us it was always more about the day-to-day experiences, more about the journey itself and the people we would meet rather than about reaching a final destination. We looked for the uniqueness in all the small river towns, large cities, or quiet anchorages during our trip. What drew us deeper into the experience, and what we found early in our journey, was that our fellow Great Loop travelers were as varied as the members of any large family. As we met these fellow boaters, who shared the same interests, we realized that we’d all left behind the self-importance of our home and work life. It didn’t matter where we came from, where we worked, or what our social, economic, or educational background was. We found that the camaraderie of this group was akin to belonging to a benevolent civic organization, people willing to help each other, expecting nothing in return. We also found that when you’re traveling the Great Loop and are in continual communication with other Loopers through VHF radio, the Internet, or while anchored together or docked at marinas, you share your knowledge about the “must stops” along the route. Hearing about these places and finally experiencing them are what make a day’s travel unique. One time, Lisa and I heard from other Loopers about the heralded Riverdock Restaurant in Hardin, on the Illinois River. We were told that they served the best beef brisket and homemade pies on the river, so we decided to stay a night at their dock and partake. As we were tying up, a red-and-blue helicopter landed about a hundred feet from us. Three people got out, secured the chopper, and headed to the restaurant. It’s not every day you have a helicopter land next to your boat. We took a walk, forgot about the copter, and stopped at the restaurant on our way back to find out how

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - January 2009

BoatU.S. - January 2009 Contents At The Helm Reader Forum BoatU.S. Reports Brokerage Boats Invasion Of The Access Snatchers Don’t Move A Mussel Tech Connection BoatsGearWheels A Defect And Its Aftermath Obama Onboard? Fast-Water Fly-Fishing How I Got That Shot A Loop Through The Heartland Why Boats Sink At The Dock Install Your Own Trim Tabs BoatU.S. Exchange At Your Service/Mbr. Benefits

Boat U.S. - January 2009

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