It is with disappointment that we have decided not to embark on the Great Loop this year.
The loop is all about sampling foods, new locations, walking tours, bicycling, and other activities that have, of late, been a problem for Lisa. Her long time, non-cooperative digestive system would have made any or all of these activities just miserable for her. Her health, and her ability to enjoy our cruising life, is far more important than finishing any looping activities that we may have wanted to complete.
We held off on the decision until the last possible moment to see if anything might have improved to allow us to proceed. Alas, it has not. We have had to abort our loop plans for 2019.
Instead, we are now planning to head south over the next few weeks to southern Georgia and/or northern Florida to find some specialists to help with the health issues. We are confident that things will improve and we will be back on the “looper” track by the 2021 season (nobody will be looping in 2020, as several locks on the Illinois River will be completely closed for maintenance).
In the meantime, we will be cruising locally along the GA and FL coasts all the while working diligently to get Lisa back to her normal self. We’ll be “making lemonade” wherever we can, as we are quite fortunate as it is. And the prolonged cruise down to FL will be our first fun adventure. The farthest south our past cruising had taken us was Myrtle Beach.
We will post blogs and updates about any of our new adventures as time allows.
We drove to Florida recently to become official Florida residents. That trip allowed us to spend a few relaxing days with Lisa's dad in FL. Lisa loves riding those 3-wheel bicycles around the community, and was finally warm enough for short sleeves!
Before heading back to NC, we spent 3 days at Mirage Manufacturing for the Great Harbour Trawler Association meeting and technical seminars. It was fun getting together with old & new owners, but getting up early enough for 8:30 start times seemed a lot like work.
We have begun our southerly journey.
"Our" slip in New Bern looks sad.
Kudos to Jeremy, Cameron and the rest of the staff at New Bern Grand Marina. http://www.newberngrandmarinayachtclub.com
Below is an interesting 3D video of our track log to Beaufort NC, pronounced BO-fert. I'll remind you again later, but Beaufort SC is pronounced BYOU-fert.
A short way down the Neuse River is Minnesott Beach. That is very close to Camp Sea Gull, where Carson spent many "track-outs".
You may wonder why we made such a sharp right turn before heading down Adams Creek. We have to follow the deep water - to avoid running aground.
We saw dolphins on Adams Creek, but we were too slow to capture them on camera. This dolphin picture, hanging in a Beaufort NC coffee shop, will have to suffice to represent the peaceful playfulness. (BO-fert)
