A uniquely American Adventure, the Great Loop truly is like no other adventure in the world, purely because it circumnavigates the Eastern United States. It is a journey that ranges in length from 6000 to 6500 miles and is all done by boat. It not only covers the Eastern United States, but also a lower section of Canada adjacent to the Great Lakes and the majority of the great waterways of the North American continent, including the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Missouri River, Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay and America's Canal system.
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->
The Great Loop is not for everyone. It is a long, expensive, and rare journey that is undertaken by fewer people than who attempt to climb Mount Everest every year. Some do it in stages, taking years to finish the entire trip, and even fewer ever finish at all. Today, April 4, 2017, I embark on this adventure with Captain Jim Thompson aboard the La Bateau, a 45-foot trawler-style motor yacht.
We set sail from the historic town of Fernandina Beach, Florida, a lovely island town located off the coast of Florida at the Florida-Georgia line. With its mostly upscale eclectic restaurants that range in tastes from fine French cuisine to outstanding sushi to seaside bars, Fernandina Beach does boast one truly famous spot—the oldest still-operational bar in the state, and arguably the oldest bar in the United States, the Palace Saloon.
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->
Because a thunderstorm rolled through last night, there was no guarantee that we would be setting sail today; however, in typical Florida fashion, the weather quickly changed from a cool, dreary grey day to a warm, beautiful blue day. A slight breeze came in off the water keeping the humidity at a nonexistent level and made the almost 90-degree day seem more like 80. I know, a big difference, right? But really, every degree helps at this time of year. We decided to sail out along the coast for just a short distance to put the boat through its paces. Unlike other forms of travel, the last thing anyone wants is to have a total failure at sea. The ocean can be very unforgiving, so checking and triple checking everything is paramount.
The next few days will be spent cruising along the intracoastal waterways between the continental coastline and the barrier islands that line the Eastern seaboard. In the map below, you can see that the United States has some simply incredible coastal islands that weave an amazing part of the fabric that makes up America.
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->
Since this journey is such a daunting one in its sheer scope and magnitude, let me first share a little about myself. I recently moved to Florida to pursue just this sort of adventure. Being a multiple survivor—heart attack, open heart surgery, stroke, cancer, and all by age 46—I have lived beyond my original expiration date, and now I am blessed to share this incredible opportunity.
Recently, I choose to take on every opportunity to see the world from a very different perspective. I seek unique travel adventures that test both the physical and the emotional aspects of a journey of a lifetime. After just finishing a solo, unsupported, cross country bicycle tour from Jacksonville, Florida, to Dallas, Texas, which sadly ended early, this trip has turned out to be the perfect follow up journey. Expeditions like my bicycle trip and the Great Loop are rare to <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->
say the least, but they are amazing solely because you get to see and experience things in a whole new way—ways that the average person misses when driving a car or taking a train through some of these routes.
Because I have no prior boating experience, I will be relying heavily on Captain Jim to see us through. At each stop I will explore the surrounding areas and document my epic journey. Since my background is in cycling, many of the shore excursions will be done by bike, and there may even be opportunities to take a tour here or there. I mean, come on. How often do you get to see the better part of the United States all in one journey! Heck! Most people get to take a vacation to only one or two of these spots in a lifetime! I will—and, in turn, so will you—get to see a uniquely American Adventure unfold. Till next time…Bon Voyage!
