America's Great Loop With our boat "Little Bit More"

Sunday June 11, 2023 Wilmington, NC  Free Dock This free dock is located on the riverwalk with easy access to many great restaurants.  Still dealing with the starboard engine acting up, but lucky us Scott was able to McIver a fix and we think we're good - again! The dock doesn't have power but is secured by a gate.  We were exposed to the Cape Fear River and could be 'rolly'. We also started shopping for a marina that would be a good place to leave the boat while we travel to PA and back to Colorado. Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Port City Marina, Wilmington NC After a few rolly nights on the free dock, we moved to Port City Marina and met up with fellow loopers on the Wilma May, by accident! Hadn't seen them since Daytona.  That's the way this journey works we leapfrog each other crossing wakes when least expected.  Most 'loopers' use NEBO to keep track of each other, communicate, and capture our boat stats. Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Wilmington Marine Center Th

Sunday, June 4, 2023 USS Yorktown Tour This aircraft carrier served our country beginning in WWII.  Completed just six days before the attack on Pearl Harbor the vessel was named the USS Yorktown in honor of the Yorktown lost at Midway.  Our connection to this iconic ship is that Scotts Dad 'Gil' served on the USS Yorktown during the Vietnam War.  Walking through the ship we had a glimpse into this floating city.  From the outside it is immense and when standing on the flight deck walking under several fighter planes it was not difficult to imagine fighter jets being waved onto the deck.  Scott's Dad worked this very flight deck and shared many stories with us. I think he would have loved to know that we were able to walk through this piece of history. Monday - Wednesday Cooper River Marina We were still waiting and wondering what to do about the engine problems.  The appointment we had with the latest mechanic would be our last try.  Dillard Umphet from Liberty Marine (843

Sunday, May 29, 2023 Sylvan Shores Anchorage The ICW on this section of the Loop is flanked by wetlands and marshes.  This is the 'low country' and tides rise and fall about 2 to 4 feet every 24 hours.  We enjoyed a slow and beautiful cruise to our anchorage, with a cloud constantly hanging over us in regard to the reliability of our engine. Monday - Friday Cooper River Marina  We decided to stay at the Cooper River City Marina instead of the marinas closer to Charleston.  We hoped to be more accessible to the ever-elusive mobile mechanics.  Scott rented a car and we spent a couple of days visiting multiple marine shops and collecting names of 'experts' for Yamaha engines.  More than a few hours were spent debating a Plan B. The choices we have range from stopping the loop to a complete re-power.  I'm not sure how many calls Scott made before we finally connected with Dillard Marine and fingers crossed we decided to give it one more try before Plan B would have to k