the great loop adventure...

The Great Loop is a 6 000The Great Loop is a 6,000mile continuous waterway thatencompasses the eastern portionof North America including theof North America including theAtlantic and Gulf IntracoastalWaterways, the Great Lakes, theCanadian Heritage Canals, and theg ,inland rivers of America'sheartland.

It is also known as the Great CircleRoute and is considered one of thesafest long distance cruising routesi h ld T l ll iin the world. To travel all, a portion,or any of the magnificent side tripsof the Great Loop is an adventureof a lifetime

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of a lifetime.

The Great Loop is a 6 000

The Cast of CharactersThe Great Loop is a 6,000mile continuous waterway thatencompasses the eastern portionof North America including theof North America including theAtlantic and Gulf IntracoastalWaterways, the Great Lakes, theCanadian Heritage Canals, and theg ,inland rivers of America'sheartland.

It is also known as the Great CircleRoute and is considered one of thesafest long distance cruising routesi h ld T l ll i

The Boat“Knot Again” in the world. To travel all, a portion,

or any of the magnificent side tripsof the Great Loop is an adventureof a lifetimeJohn

Knot Again

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of a lifetime.Joan

John Kim Frank

Our Trip ‐ 2,600 MilesPartial Great Loop – 25 day travel time

Entire Trip From Crates Marina in Keswick, Ontario, Canadato Stuart, Florida, USA via the Great Loop

Phase 1 Start: Crates Marina in Keswick, Ontario, Canada viaLake Simcoe Lake Couchiching the Trent‐Severn lockLake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching, the Trent Severn lockcanal system, Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to MackinacIsland, Michigan, USA

Phase 2 From Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA to Chicago, Illinoisvia the west shores of Lake Michigan, USA

Phase 3 From Chicago, Illinois to Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA

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Phase 4 From Gulf Shores, Alabama to the end – Port St Lucie, Florida, USA

Phase 1From Keswick, Ontario, Canada to South Bay Marina, at the south end

of Georgian Bayof Georgian Bay

South Bay, Marina70 miles

Start at Keswick, Ontario, Canada

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Travel Route Marked in Yellow

Phase 1 (continued)

From GeorgianFrom Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada to

Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA

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Phase 1(continued)

From GeorgianFrom Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada to

M ki I l dMackinac Island, Michigan, USA

265 milesMackinac Island

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Phase 2∙ From Mackinac

Mackinac Island

Island, Michigan to Sturgeon Bay,

WisconsinWisconsin∙ From Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin to Chi Illi i

165 milesSturgeon Bay

Chicago, Illinois

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210 milesChicago

Lake MichiganPhase 3

From Chicago, Illinois to Gulf

Shores, AlabamaDuSable Harbor Chicago, IL

Big Basin Marina, Calumet River, IL

IVY Club, Chillicothe, IL

50 Miles

110 Miles

Alton Marina, Alton IL

Angelo Towhead Kimmswick MO

170 Miles

200 Miles

Angelo Towhead, Kimmswick MO

Green Turtle Bay, Grand River KY

Grand HarborMarina Scruggs Bridge MS

78 Miles

170 Miles

Grand Harbor Marina, Scruggs Bridge MS

Columbus Marina, Columbus MS

115 Miles

119 Miles

Stop points highlighted in Yellow

H i

Demopolis Yacht Basin, Demopolis AL

257 Miles

8Gulf of Mexico

Homeport MarinaGulf Shores, AL

Phase 4From Gulf Shores, Alabama to Port St. Lucie, Florida

Gulf Shores, AlabamaHomeport Marina

190 Miles

Miller MarinaApalachicola, Florida


Miller Marina

Phase 4 (continued)From Gulf Shores, Alabama to Port St. Lucie, Florida

Apalachicola, Florida


Longboat Key Club Moorings, Sarasota, Florida

205 Miles

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Sarasota, Florida

Fort Meyers Yacht Basin90 Miles

Phase 4 (continued)From Gulf Shores, Alabama to Port St. Lucie, Florida

Tarpon Bay Yacht ClubPort St. Lucie, Florida

135 Mil

Travel Route Marked

135 Miles

in Yellow

Fort Meyers Yacht Basin

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Item Boat Specifications – “Knot Again” (for the techies)

Boat 40 ft long X 13 ft beam Regal Express Cruiser 4060

Year Built 2008

Dry Weight/ Draft Weighs approx. 20,000 pounds with a Draft of 3‐1/2 Ft

Engines Twin 500 HP Volvo Turbo Diesel EnginesEngines Twin 500 HP Volvo Turbo Diesel Engines

Cruising Speed 30 to 35 MPH @ 1 Mile per Gallon.

Cruising Range 250 to 300 Miles depending on water conditions

Capacity 2 X 150 Gallon Fuel Tanks, 40 gal. waste tank, 100 gal. water tank

Fly Bridge None ‐ low boat profile facilitates going under bridges

Upper Deck Leather sofas & table 40” LCD TV stereo GPS IPS Auto Pilot RadarUpper Deck Leather sofas & table, 40 LCD TV, stereo, GPS, IPS, Auto‐Pilot, Radar, Raymarine guages and controls, individual AC/heat controls, cherry wood finish on cabinetry

Lower Deck Side by side fridge/freezer, stove, sink, individual AC/heat controls, 30’Lower Deck Side by side fridge/freezer, stove, sink, individual AC/heat controls, 30 LCD TV, stereo, leather sofa, cherry wood finish on cabinetry

Lower Deck 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom c/w 2 – 3 Piece Washrooms, individual AC/heating controls, 20” LCD TVs, stereo, cherry wood finish on cabinetry

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/ g , , , y y

AccommodationComments

Compact, snug and comfortable for 4 people with all the amenities of home.

1340 Ft. Regal – side view

1440 Ft. Regal – front view

Dinghy

1540 Ft. Regal – rear view

GPS

Auto Pilot

1640 Ft. Regal – Controls + GPS & Auto‐Pilot

J ti k IPS C t lJoystick IPS Control

1740 Foot Regal – Controls Including IPS for greater control when docking 40 Ft. Regal ‐ Controls including joystick IPS to facilitate docking

1840 Ft. Regal – Upper Deck

1940 Ft. Regal ‐ Upper Deck

42” LCD TV

Stereo

Bar Fridge( f )

2040 Ft. Regal – Upper Deck – comforts of home

(of course)

28” LCD TV

Stereo + Hi‐Def Satellite TV center

Side by side Fridge/Freezer

21Lower Deck – more of the comforts of home

Stove TopSink


24Lower Deck – Front Bedroom

Trent‐Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada Approaching the “Big Chute Marine Railway” Lock

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Trent‐Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada Our boat loading into the “Big Chute Marine Railway” Lock

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Trent‐Severn Waterway in Ontario, CanadaView from our boat in the “Big Chute Marine Railway ”.

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The “Big Chute Marine Railway ”.This Lock system uses slings and rails to lower boats into Georgian Bay

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Severn Bay, Ontario CanadaOur 1st night at South Bay Marina at dusk

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Mackinac Island

3040 Foot Regal Express Cruiser + Captain and Crew

31Mackinac Island ‐ Captain John at the controls

Mackinac IslandNo motorized vehicles – carts/horses & bicycles only

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Mackinac Island – coastline

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Mackinac Island – Marine Forecast for Lake Michigan journey.Winds and waves (14 to 18 feet) on Mon/Tues made travel risky.Left on Wednesday for a real “bumpy” ride across Lake MichiganLeft on Wednesday for a real bumpy ride across Lake Michigan

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Downtown Chicago

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Downtown Chicago

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Starting south ‐ Chicago River trip toward 1st lock

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38Starting south ‐ Chicago River

46Chicago River – Pagoda

47Chicago River – Industrial area

48Chicago River – First Run‐In with a barge

Tow Boat because it pushes the l dload

Never volunteer to pay for a fill‐up of diesel fuel for a Tow boat. They take up to 15,000 Gallons @ $2.75 per gallon average

49Chicago River – Same barge with Tow (not Tug) boat attached

Barge convoys on the Mississippi can be larger than 16 football fieldsBarge convoys on the Mississippi can be larger than 16 football fields.

50Chicago River – Barges

51Chicago River – Barges can be up to 1200 ft X 600 ft….Huge

52Kim and Frank keeping boat off lock wall before water is released

53Chicago River – same lock – before water is released

54Chicago River – Lock – view from boat ‐ water dropping

55Lock as water is released & boat goes down

56Joan – keeping boat off lock wall

57Lock ‐ water released – boat at bottom of lock

Captain John at the controls

Kim and Frank (“unionized crew”) relaxing

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Electrified Fish BarrierAn electrified 1 mile stretch of river located near Romeoville, Illinois. The

Fish Barrier prevents Asian Carp from accessing Lake Michigan.Fish Barrier prevents Asian Carp from accessing Lake Michigan.As part of our boat trip we had to cross it.

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Electrified Fish BarrierAsian Carp can grow as large as 4 ft. & weigh 100 lbs+. An aggressive fish

species with teeth and a voracious appetite for fresh water fish.species with teeth and a voracious appetite for fresh water fish.

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Grand Harbor Marina – Beautiful Condominium & Marine property

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Demopolis Yacht Basin – Demopolis, Alabama

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Demopolis Yacht Basin – Not all marinas are in pristine condition!

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69Demopolis Yacht Basin – Not all marinas are in pristine condition!

70Following “Miss Bim” past L&R railway bridge 13 Miles from Mobile Bay

Welcome to our front windshield view. The frequent, blurry, rainy view out our boat windshield at 30 to 35 MPH. The GPS was an invaluable electronic tool to help John keep us on track during such conditions.

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Overcast, as usual, entering Mobile Bay, Alabama

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Our wake leaving Mobile Bay for Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, Alabama hoping to leave persistent bad weather behind us.

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John & Joan at Lulu’s Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, Alabama

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C t i & l i t L l ’ H t M i G lf Sh Al b ft

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Captain & crew relaxing at Lulu’s Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, Alabama after a 257 mile run in torrential rains and avoiding most debris and logs on the last

section of the Tenn‐Tom Waterway approaching Mobile Bay, Alabama

Inland waterway ‐Marina & Condo complex. On our way to Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida. Sun is fun!!!

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Inland waterway – Sun & warmth!!! Finally able to sit on front deck!! On our way to Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida

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Shrimp boat off Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida. Forrest Gump where are you???

Leaving Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida and heading out into the Gulf of Mexico for a 155 mile run to Tampa Bay & then onto Sarasota via the i l d t M tl 5 t 7 f t d i h idinland waterway. Mostly sunny, waves 5 to 7 foot producing a rough ride.

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Entering Tampa Bay, Florida after a 6 hour “lumpy” run across the Gulf of Mexico. Staying 2 days at the upscale Longboat Key Club Moorings in

S t Fl idSarasota, Florida.

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota Florida – Now this is luxury!

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota Florida – Pool area

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Marina

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Restaurant

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Dinner at Portofino’s Restaurant at the upscale Longboat Key Club Moorings in Sarasota, Florida. Celebrating a successful crossing of the Gulf of Mexico.

B t f d t d t !!!Best food to date!!!

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Marina & Condominiums

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89Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Marina

Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Joan’s Birthday

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Joan’s Birthday

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Longboat Key Moorings, Sarasota, Florida – Departure

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Marina Jack’s, Sarasota, Florida – Departing after refueling

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Swing Bridge on Okeechobee River portion of Inland Waterway

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Venice, Florida….police catching boater not observing “Manatee No Wake Zone” along Okeechobee River – heavy fine and/or loss of boat.

Fort Meyer’s, Florida – Fort Meyer’s Yacht BasinAnnual “Zombie‐fest” celebrations in Downtown area

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Boat for sale at Fort Myers, Florida – a mere $4,950,000

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98Cruising the Okeechobee River – no gators – river too high

Cutting a path through overgrown “bank to bank” river vegetation on the Okeechobee River with the boat’s propellersp p

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More river vegetation on the Okeechobee River – not as dense

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Leaving our last lock at Port St. Lucie

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102Leaving our last lock at Port St. Lucie

Final Destination – Tarpon Bay Yacht Club – Port St. Lucie, Florida

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Trip Summaryp y

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Trip Start Date Sept 24‐09

Crates MarinaKeswick, Ontario ,

Canada

Mile 0

Trip Completed DateOct 18‐0925 Days25 Days

Tarpon Bay Yacht Club, Port St. Lucie,

Florida, USA

∙ 2,599 Miles later∙ Crossed 34 Locks varying from 4 to 84 ft in lift or dropft in lift or drop

105Travel Route Marked

in Yellow

Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Mooring

Miles Locks Comments

Trip Log – September 2009

Mooring

Thurs.Sept 24

KeswickOntario,Canada

Georgian BayOntario, Canada

South BayMarine

70 4 Sunny, warm, 1 to 2 foot waves.Smooth boating

id G i ki l d ki 26 0 S l 6 fFridaySept 25

Georgian Bay,Ontario, Canada

Mackinac IslandMichigan, USAvia Lake Huron

MackinacHarbor

265 0 Sunny , cool, 4 to 6 foot wavesChoppy, rough ride, fuel tanks read“empty” on arrival

SaturdaySept 26

MackinacIsland

MackinacIsland Michigan

MackinacHarbor

0 0 No travel day. Toured Mackinac,sunny cool waiting for GPSSept 26 Island,

Michigan, USAIsland, Michigan, USA

Harbor sunny, cool, waiting for GPSchip/rollers, mechanical problemswith ship/shore radio, generator andshore water hook‐up

Sunday Mackinac Mackinac Mackinac 0 0 No travel day Cloudy cool LakeSundaySept 27


Mackinac Island, Michigan,USA

MackinacHarbor

0 0 No travel day. Cloudy, cool, LakeMichigan forecast 12 ft waves & highwinds, boat parts arrive, stay put atmarina, ship to shore radio repaired,gen & water problems persist

MondaySept 28


MackinacIsland, Michigan, USA

Mackinac Harbor

0 0 No travel day. Cloudy , cool, rain,Lake Michigan forecast 14 ft waves &high winds, GPS OK, stay put atmarina

106

TuesdaySept 29



MackinacHarbor

0 0 No travel day. Cloudy, cold, rain LakeMichigan forecast 16 ft waves, stayput at marina, 60F day/32F at night

Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Mooring

Miles Locks Comments

Trip Log – September/October 2009

Mooring

Wed.Sept 30

Mackinac Island,Michigan, USA

Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin via Lake Michigan

Sturgeon Bay Marina

165 0 Ice on windshield of boat, rainy, 4 to6 ft waves, rough & choppy ride. A lotof hull slapping.

Th St B Chi D S bl 210 0 S ith 1 t 2 ft i iThurs.Oct 1

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, USA

Chicago, Illinois, USA

DuSableMarina

210 0 Sunny with 1 to 2 ft waves in morningCloudy, rainy with 6 to 8 ft waves inthe afternoon. Tried Giardano’sdeep dish Chicago pizza…excellent.

Friday Chicago Chicago DuSable 0 0 No travel day Cloudy rainy coolFridayOct 2



DuSableMarina

0 0 No travel day. Cloudy, rainy, cool.Shopping in Downtown Chicago.Dinner at Morton’s of Chicago.

SaturdayOct 3

Chicago, Illinois USA

Calumet River,Illinois

Big BasinMarina

50 3 Cloudy, rainy, cool. Ran into 1st bargetraffic Lock wait 3 hours RevisedOct 3 Illinois, USA Illinois Marina traffic. Lock wait 3 hours. Revisedtravel plans en‐route to Big Basin.

SundayOct 4

Calumet River,Illinois

Chillicothe,Illinois

IVY Club 110 3 Overcast, rainy, 55F

M d Chilli th Alt Illi i Th Alt 170 2 O t i 55F B t M iMondayOct 5

Chillicothe, Illinois

Alton, Illinois The Alton Marina

170 2 Overcast, rainy, 55F. Best Marinafacilities to date.

TuesdayOct 6

Alton, Illinois, USA

Kimmswick, Missouri , USA

Angelo Towhead, (anchorage)

200 2 Overcast, rainy, 58F. BBQ onboard…great meal!

107

(anchorage)

Wed.Oct 7

Kimmswick, Missouri , USA

Grand River, Kentucky, USA

Green Turtle Bay Resort

78 2 Overcast, rainy, 55‐60F. Great olderand not great facilities

Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Miles Locks Comments

Trip Log – October 2009

/Mooring

Thurs.Oct 8



Green Turtle Bay Resort

0 0 No travel day. Overcast, rainy, 55‐60F.Great marketing, but older and notgreat facilities

FridayOct 9


Scruggs Bridge, Mississippi, USA

GrandHarbor Marina

170 1 Overcast, rainy, 60F. Condo & Marinaproject…very clean facilities. Dockmaster very knowledgeable.Alligators begin here.

SaturdayOct 10

Scruggs, Mississippi, USA

Columbus,Mississippi,USA

ColumbusMarina

115 7 Overcast, warmer, rainy, 65F. Olderbut nice facilities for boaters.

Sunday Columbus, Demopolis, Demopolis 119 3 Overcast, warm, 70F. Dinner on boat.yOct 11

,Mississippi,USA

p ,Alabama, USA

pYacht Basin

, ,Marina very old. Facilities not great.

MondayOct 12

Demopolis, Alabama, USA

Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA

Homeport Marina

257 2 Torrential rain, mid 70”s, lots ofdebris in water, motored with MissBim, docked 40 miles beyond MobileBay, Lulu’s ‐ Marina Restaurant(owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister)

Tuesday Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, Homeport 0 0 No travel day. Mid 80’s, sunny,

108

Oct 13 Alabama, USA Alabama, USA Marina humid, mechanic fixed generator andshore water still not working. ToLulu’s for dinner.

Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Miles Locks Comments

Trip Log – October 2009

Mooring

Wed.Oct 14

Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA

Apalachicola, Florida, USA

Miller Marine 190 0 Fabulous, sunny day, 89F…abouttime! What a difference the sunmakes! Smooth ride.

ThursOct 15

Apalachicola, Florida, USA

Sarasota, Florida, USA

Longboat Key Club Moorings

205 0 5 to 7 ft waves across the Gulf ofMexico. Mostly sunny but roughride. Best marina to date! Spa,restaurant+++. Best weather todate 90Fdate ….90F.

FridayOct 16



Longboat Key Club Moorings

0 0 No Travel day. Spectacularweather in the AM, thenlightning, thunder and rain.Joan’s birthday High 80’s &Joan s birthday. High 80 s &humid.

SaturdayOct 17


Fort Meyers, Florida, USA

Fort Meyers Yacht Basin

90 0 Weather changed, no humidity,high 60’s, windy. Experiencedannual Zombie fest in Downtownannual Zombie fest in Downtownarea.

SundayOct 18

Fort Meyers, Florida, USA

Port St. Lucie Florida, USA

Tarpon Bay Yacht Club

135 5 END OF TRIP. Low 70’s, staying atcondo in Tarpon Bay Yacht Club.Rough ride on Lake Okeechobe.

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g

Totals 2,599Miles

34Locks

The Trip ContinuesThe Trip Continues

The second half of the Great Loop up the Atlanticside???

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the great loop adventure...

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