Ed’s ordeal having turned out about as good as we could have hoped, I am headed for Pensacola. Friend Perry is meeting me there and will join us for the trip across Florida’s Panhandle to Carrabelle, the point from which we plan to cross the Gulf of Mexico. According to one of the local authorizes on Gulf weather, there was a good crossing window on Tuesday and Wednesday and may be one again on Saturday. Both are a little soon for Sleeping Bear. The trip to Carrabelle should take 4 days. The soonest we will be in a position to take advantage of favorable weather is next Tuesday. With nothing else to talk about, this entry will focus on some of the interesting people that we have met along the way.
The trip so far has been better than I had hoped. This is because of the constant change of scenery as well as the freedom to pick and choose from several different places to stop along the way. Since everyone has a slightly different agenda, boats seem to meet up and travel together for some period of time. Then, they go in different directions. Sometimes they reconnect and sometimes they do not. There is also no official start or finish line to the loop. Just start wherever convenient. Very few people talk about what they did prior to doing the loop. Personal age is seldom discussed. Cruising speed, favorite stops, and boat repairs are discussed. The spot at which the most information has been learned is the laundry machines at several marinas. None of the women that I have met doing the loop believe that Cruising requires good shopping and long walks on a beach. All of these women share equally in the work and the enjoyment of boating life. This is refreshing.
In Green Turtle bay, Judy from the 53 ft Hatteras started a conversation. She and Dan are from Vermont, have a home in the Carolinas, but bought the boat in Portland Oregon. Their 1000 mile loop thus far began as they brought the boat down the Pacific Coast, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and as far south as Costa Rica. For the trip through the Panama Canal Judy recommended hiring an agent as well as line handlers. Dan highly recommend Cuba as a place to stop, but cautioned that everything is very expensive. Americans can visit, but because of the silly embargo it is illegal for an American to spend any money in Cuba. So, “don't use plastic and bring lots of cash.” Dan and Judy got a perspective from the native Cubans that acted as drivers and guides. According to their limited sample, the Cuban people have a pretty good life. It is legal for citizens of virtually every other country to tour Cuba. We met back up with Dan and Judy at Aberdeen, Mississippi, again in Demopolis, Bobbies Fish Camp and last Sunday at the Fairhope Yacht Club.
We first saw David and Mary on Ganymede a 42ft Grand Banks in Peoria. They are from Houston and upon entering Mobile Bay 2 hours ahead of us last Sunday have just completed their loop. Dave wants to take the boat back to Houston for some repairs and to do some vanishing on his teak transom and cap rails. Mary wants to keep on going. She indicated that they started cruising alternating 4 weeks on the boat and 4 weeks back home. That quickly changed to 5 weeks on and 3 weeks home and soon to 6 and 2, etc. They haven’t been home for months.
Ray and Linda on Summertime a 36 foot Krogen, sold everything and are on their second loop. They are not sure when or where they will stop.
Mark and Susan on Squivot a 43 foot Hatteras M/Y are from Wilmette, even though the boat has a hailing port of Houston. They travel with two dogs, one of whom is too big to get off and on the boat at anchor. Mark went to school with Ed. Ed is partner with Marc on Stitches in racine. It is a small world.
Barb & Skip on Moor $tuff a 35 ft Carver Mariner and Bruce & Chris on Bade Boomer a 40 foot Tiara like to travel and party together. We have met up with them twice along the way. They are very good people to play with.
Don on Double Trouble travelled with his wife for about half of the trip before she threw in the towel. At least she tried. She went home and back to work. Don has been having friends join him for portions of the trip with plans to complete in the spring. The list goes on.
Tomorrow it out to Mobile Bay and Florida panhandle.
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