Traveling the Great Loop

Join us as we travel North America's rivers, waterways, and canals; visit U.S. and Canadian cities, historical landmarks, national parks and river towns. We may even take you to the Bahamas.

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  • Rodriguez Key, Straits of Florida

    Feb. 25-26, 2024; Marathon to Rodriguez Key; Today’s Run: 58 miles Plans for traveling to the Bahama Islands started before we left Key West. Timing our departure from the Keys and our arrival to Marathon and then Rodriguez Key, two stepping stones to the islands, was dominated by weather conditions. For instance, it was important Continue reading

  • Dear Readers:

    Today’s date: November, 2024 You might have wondered if I had retired from publishing my travel blogs. I have not. Last season, I didn’t have the time I needed to be a boater, enjoy the locations we visited, and publish quality blogs, and so I fell behind. After returning home for the summer, I worked Continue reading

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  • Marathon: Safe Harbor Marina, Florida Straits

    Feb. 23-25, 2024; Today’s Run: 50 miles. The name ‘Marathon’, originated during the construction of the Over Seas Railroad. A familiar complaint among labourers, was their nonstop working hours resembled running a marathon. We left Key West around 9am for Marathon, a small city located in the middle of the Key’s chain of islands. It Continue reading

  • Key West, Galleon Marina, Straits of Florida

    February 10- 23, 2024; Marco Island to Key West: Today’s run: 107 miles Leaving Marco Island for Key West, seas in the Gulf were approximately 2 feet with short wave periods. It is the short wave period that makes for rough travel in a boat our size. Staying 20 miles offshore, 15 mph suited the Continue reading

  • Marco Island, Esplanade Marina, Florida

    February 8-10, 2024; Today’s Run: 20 miles Approaching Marco Island: At low tide, entire sandspits become noticeable. Numerous manmade canals offer shoreline living for those who do not live on the Gulf. Men give a wave of thanks for slowing while we pass. If you are interested seeing what Marco Island was like before it Continue reading

  • Burnt Store Marina, Pine Island Sound, & Naples, Florida

    January 25, 2024; Burnt Store Marina; Today’s run: 14 miles Leaving Pelican Bay, we crossed the GICW in Pine Island Sound and headed for Burnt Store Marina,* located on the border of Punta Gorda and Cape Coral. We were there to attend a reunion of friends that was being held at a friend’s winter home. Continue reading

  • Pelican Bay, Pine Island Sound; Cabbage Key, Florida

    January 24, 2024; Captiva Island to Pelican Bay; Today’s run: 14 miles/ (To ensure you are seeing the entire post in your email, click on the first 3 dots on the bottom left corner. (The second set of 3 dots is for leaving a comment.) For best viewing, click on ‘reader’ at the top right Continue reading

  • Captiva Island, South Seas Plantation, Florida

    Jan 19-24, 2024; Day’s run 70 miles EN ROUTE: The 2nd bridge we passed through that day was the Albee Road Bridge (mile 59). The bridge has a 14 foot clearance. We can lower our antennas, but our 13’3″ air draft, including mast, concerned us. The tide was approximately halfway to its maximum height.  Should Continue reading

  • Sarasota, Marina Jack, Sarasota Bay, Florida

    Jan. 17-18; Day’s run: 6 miles Clicking on ‘reader’ on the top right corner of these posts, will expand the content for more enjoyment. From Longboat Key, we crossed the Intracoastal Waterway to Sarasota. For weeks, we had tried to determine the source of the water that was accumulating in our bilge. Where did it Continue reading

  • Gulfport, Gulfport Marina, Boca Ciega Bay; and, Longboat Key, Barrier Island, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

    Gulfport: Jan 14, 2024; mile 114.5; Day’s run: 25 miles. The day we left Clearwater for Gulfport, it was cool enough, that we donned hats and gloves in preparation for the trip. Following the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway: The railing you see on the left side of the picture is ours; the boat in the centre Continue reading