While cruising up the east coast you’ll have plenty of chances to bask in history, from the James Olgethrope 1733 designed Savannah Squares, Charleston’s charm and George Washington’s Dismal Swamp, just to name a few. To read more and view photos click on the EAST COAST ICW icon above. Once there, if you don’t see what you’re looking for, use the search window in the sidebar at the top right of the page or scrawl down to access “older entries” at the bottom lower right.
We thought this was interesting. Josh Tart is paddling his way around the Great Loop route in a Kayak. Starting in Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked his way down the river system and is currently in Florida. From looking at his BLOG we think this is a very interesting way to do the Great Loop boat trip and raise money for Charity: Water. What better way to raise money for a project, to improve drinking water for those who need it in developing countries, than to paddle through water (approx. 6,000 miles around the eastern United States and Canada).
“Over the last several years I have developed a love for kayaking and biking, and moving on after graduation, I have decided to use the things I love to help others. So this project is about using my love for water sports, travel and learning to make a difference for people around the world that have drinking water which is often dirtier than the water I will be kayaking through.” –– Josh TartJosh often sets up tents on islands and parks at the end of a long paddling day. The more you slow down and get closer to your surroundings the more of nature and experiences you will get to encounter. We can tell that Josh is having the adventure of his life. We wish Josh all the best in his endeavors. Check out his blog and the CHARITY he is working with; sounds like a good cause. Learn more about Josh (or look him up on Facebook).
On a side note: We learned about slowing down ourselves shortly after we started our first “Loop.” We had a 42′ Silverton Convertible and were used to traveling fast while cruising the Great Lakes. It wasn’t soon into our Loop that we saw the benefits of slowing down, trawler speed, and enjoying our adventure even more. As you know if you are familiar with our blogs we changed boats and bought a Fathom 40 trawler, more recently we downsized to a 27-foot Ranger Tugs trailerable trawler and are still enjoying the benefits of taking our time when cruising. Hearing about this young man’s quest to find adventure while at the same time helping others really hits home the idea that, even though the trip or adventure can be the same route, it can be done in many different ways and we’re not just talking about slowing down.
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NORFOLK, VA., MAY 7 – 10, 2012: America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association will once again be holding its annual Spring Rendezvous & Reunion in the vibrant and exciting waterfront city of Norfolk, Va. This event, held at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel and the Waterside Marina, was attended by over 225 members last year. This year they are offering boaters in the surrounding area a unique opportunity: attend the Rendezvous and receive a free, one-year membership!
This year’s event will feature seminars on navigating Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, NJ, NY, the Hudson River and Canadian Canals, Entering Canada and Returning to the US, Lake Michigan, the Inland River System, Engine Maintenance, Marine Fuel, Provisioning for your Boat – Spare Parts and Buying Your Boat.
There will also be cocktail receptions, lunches, dinners, awards, door prizes, unmatched camaraderie, impromptu “concerts”, Looper Crawls, Vessel Safety Checks, and more!
Complete information on the event is available at GreatLoop.org, Rendezvous & Events, Spring 2012 Rendezvous & Reunion. The rate for attendance is $369 per person. Your registration fee includes:
To take advantage of this offer, go to:
Rendezvous SIGN UP FORM
Simply fill in the form and submit. A representative will be in touch to sign you up for your
Rendezvous attendance and Free Membership!
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA)TM is an organization of people who share a sense of adventure and a curiosity about America’s Great Loop. Our association’s primary purpose is to disseminate information and enhance the overall experience for those learning about, dreaming of, as well as exploring and safely cruising –America’s Great Loop. For more information visit www.GreatLoop.org.
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Weather
Grand Traverse Bay Weather Buoy
Old Mission Point Weather Buoy
Little Traverse Bay Weather Buoy
Lake Michigan Surface Wind Nowcast
Lake Michigan Surface Wind Forecast
Grand Traverse Light Weather Data
NOAA Weather Broadcast Stream
This is a Downloadable Broadcast Stream
NOAA Lake Michigan Weather Portal
NOAA Hourly Weather Forcasts
Great for predicting winds on GTB
NOAA Great Lakes Text Forecasts
Ship Tracking & Live Weather Reports
Cruising
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA)
Great Lakes Cruising Club Webinars
Marine Trawler Owner’s Association (MTOA)
The Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net
Navigation
USCG Notice to Mariners
9th District
Ocean Graphix
Print On Demand Charts
OAA Online Nautical Chart Viewer
Polar View
Raster & Digital Chart Viewer
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“They say this is cruisin’, travelin’ the world by sea.” Scott Perkins lives the life he expresses in his music, exploring the world aboard the 32-ft DownEast sailboat Chip Ahoy. His 6,000-mile trip around America’s Great Loop boat trip inspired this collection of songs about passing through river locks, meeting interesting characters on boats and in America’s small towns and watching dolphins play alongside Chip Ahoy as she entered the Gulf of Mexico and passed into the Atlantic Ocean. The millionaire Intracoastal Waterway alley from Miami to Fort Lauderdale inspired Scott’s Florida anthem, “La Dee Dah.” “Sweetwater” captures the emotions of sailing on Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface. “Justify This Day” explains what it’s like to be tested in a storm on the water or in your soul – or both.
A lead guitarist and professional musician for more than three decades, Scott cut his teeth on classic rock & roll, wearing out the grooves on BB King records when he was 15 and graduating from playing for pizza to professional life in rock & roll touring bands throughout the South and Midwest in the 60s and 70s. After a stint on the western band circuit booking out of Las Vegas, in the 1980s Scott opened Perkins Electronics in his hometown of Houghton, Michigan. While playing occasional local gigs, his main focus was family life. The “music room” in the back yard was a proving ground for many of his daughter’s bands and his son became an excellent drummer.
Scott’s musical taste ranges all over the map, with true craftsmanship being the number-one criteria. A short list of favored performers includes Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Carlos Santana, Joe Cocker and Gary Moore.
As he makes his way through Jimmy Buffett country, performing in southern Florida and the Keys, Scott is quite frequently compared to Buffett. “The comparison is flattering, but when people ask me who I sound like or play like, I have to say that I mostly sound like – myself,” says Scott.
We recently met up with the crew of Chip Ahoy, Scott and his wife Cyndi (below) while visiting Marathon on our way down to Key West.
The 2012, Third Annual Looper “Sunset Celebration” was a huge success with over 120 in attendance. It was a little windy (not a problem for Loopers) – lots of good food was shared along with a chance to reacquaint ourselves with old friends. Thanks Patricia & George Hospodar for organizing the event and providing Loopers in the area with an opportunity for this fun reunion.
If you are in Florida – the Keys or near the Marathon area and you are a Looper – you are invited to attend our
Banana Bay is located at 4590 Overseas Highway (Gulf-side) directly across the street from Home Depot.
Bring an appetizer to share and your beverage of choice.
As an additional incentive to all those who may be traveling to Marathon by car, Banana Bay Resort (an AGLCA sponsor) will be offering hotel rooms at the following rates for that week-end: 15% off the rack rate for a one night stay, and 20% off for a two night stay. Just make sure to mention that you are with the AGLCA boaters group when you call to make your reservation @ (305) 743-3500.
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As “Loopers,” we were excited to be able to tow our boat from Lake Powell to Rogersville, Alabama for the AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association) 2011 Fall Rendezvous. Little did we know that, not only would we make new friends, we’d run into a few Loopers that we did the Loop with back in 2005/06.
Tom Conrad (above-center), here with his wife Patsy and Janice Kromer, was the MC for the rendezvous. He did a great job.
Jim did a presentation on the St. Johns River.
Fellow AGLCA Advisory Board members, Audrey Stehle and Patsy Conrad (above-left). Susann and Alan Syme (above-right).
Tom and Patsy Conrad (above – Tom’s not only the MC for this event, but he’s also the famous weather guy Loopers rely on when anticipating the Gulf crossing).
Fellow AGLCA Advisory Board members, Rick and Betsy Johnson (above-left).
Patsy and Ron Stob sang an original Looper song while Ted Stehle, Steve and Janice Kromer manned the bar.
Jan and Rusty got a big going away party on the patio by old Looper friends of ours Ken and Darcy Searl (Darcy’s in our book, Women On Board Cruising).
Ken and Darcy Searl, Just Us, (above-left) and Darcy again with Lisa (above-right). Jan and Rusty, cbay, the honored recipients of the impromptu party (below-left) and long time Loopers and friends, Elvie and Roy on Roy-El, (Elvie is also in our book, Women On Board Cruising) drove to the event to visit their many Looper friends.
