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

January 22, 2023 to January 28, 2023 Destin, FL to Panama City, FL Finally caught up with several Looper friends and enjoyed a great night of 'docktails'.  The discussion about making the Gulf crossing started to take on a new urgency.  Up until now, we checked the weather every day using the Windy App, Marv’s Weather Report, and several other apps to confirm both wind and swell. Scott installed AIS at our last stop but our Raymarine Radar is 18-year-old technology and almost impossible to read.  When we saw the first weather window where winds were less than 13 knots and the swell was under 2’ we set off to our second to last stop before the Gulf crossing. Panama City to Scipio Creek Marina Apalachicola This tiny waterfront town has a long history. In the the1800's it was the third-largest cotton exporter in the United States.  This community is known for its oyster production and Tupelo honey.   Tupelo honey is produced in the Okeefenokee Wildlife Refuge and the Apa

January 15, 2023 to January 21, 2023 A break from the boat San Juan Texas and Dad's 90th Birthday Celebration! We had one more family obligation before we could get our Loop journey back underway and that was to celebrate my Dad's 90 th birthday in San Juan Texas. We left the boat in Demoplis, AL, and flew to Texas for the celebration.  Amazing weekend with my family and honoring a truly great man, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  We love you Dad!! Perdido to Ft. McCree Anchorage Short cruise today to a beautiful anchorage where we ‘beached’ the Rossi for the first time.  We were able to explore the beach and island.  Unfortunately, when we woke in the morning the tide had gone out so far that we could not get the boat off the beach and were forced once again to slow down and wait for the tide to come up.  We were underway by 2:00 pm. Ft. Mcree to Sabine Anchorage Another short cruise day to a very shallow anchorage in Sabine Harbor.  We did pull

January 8, 2023 to January 14, 2023 Mobile Bay Crossing Fairhope City Marina We entered Mobile Bay surrounded by large industrial vessels, barges, and crab pot boats.  This bay is very deceiving, so wide you can barely see across it but never got deeper than 5 feet.  We were lucky, the day was sunny and the water was flat. We decided to cut across the bay to Fairhope City Marina. Very shallow water getting into this little marina but well worth it! Biking distance to this cute little town with lots of shops and great restaurants.  It was chilly but we really enjoyed riding our folding bicycles, even on the dark ride back to the marina. Perdido Key with Bob and Marie Austin This couple is legendary in the C-Dory and sailing community.   We accepted their gracious offer to tie up the Rossi to their dock and take a couple days off to regroup.  During our visit, they shared worldwide adventures of boating and experiencing the world through the eyes of a captain and his first mate. Th

  Let's Get This Show on the River Week 11 January 1, 2023 to January 7, 2023 We were excited to begin our journey again and were concerned that we were so far behind the other Loopers that we would be traveling by ourselves.  We are beginning to understand the phrase “this is not a race, it’s a journey”.  Fortunately, fellow looper "Almost Home" had stopped in Demopolis before continuing down the TennTom.   We agreed to buddy boat and hightail it to Mobile Bay. Despite the river being at flood stage and 15 feet above normal the weather window was good so we were underway at sunrise and a beautiful clear day. After a long day of cruising, dodging floating trees, and enjoying this beautiful waterway we made it to Bobbies Fish Camp.  This historic Looper stop has a small dock along with a rustic stop set up back in the woods.  There was a very fast current but we were secure for the night. Bobbies to TennSaw River anchorage in southern Alabama This was our last night on

  Its Been Awhile November 13, 2022, to January 1, 2023 I won’t sugarcoat this post. We returned from Thanksgiving break in Texas to the Kingfisher Bay Marina in Demopolis AL and what we thought was a simple haul out and oil change turned into 5 weeks  "on the hard".  Turns out the lower unit on the port engine was taking in water and so it had to be repaired.  After many attempts to get at the seals, which including machine shops, heating the unit, banging on it with a hammer, etc. we gave in and ordered a new lower unit.  Of course, now we’re creeping up on the Christmas holidays and everything slowed down.  And to make matters a little more challenging the weather was the coldest on record for Alabama in several decades. During the day some days, the highs were in the low 20s and the evenings were even colder. The good news is we met and experienced Demopolis up close and enjoyed the beautiful Christmas River Parade. Finally, we decided to throw in the towel on the cold

  Saturday November 5, 2022 Rainy day in Fulton Marina, Columbus MS.  I enjoyed the time today on the boat cleaning, and reading.  There are 11+ Loopers here all talking about taking the 4 locks tomorrow in a coordinated effort.  The lead boat contacts the lock master to let them know how many boats approximately would like to lock through.  The last thing we heard was to be on your VHF radio at 5:30 am with information about the availability of the lock. Daily light savings begins tonight. Sunday November 6, 2022 It was hard to sleep knowing that we would most likely begin our journey in the dark.  When the call came in the instructions were to be queued up for the Fulton Lock by 6:30.  Sun had started to rise so we were able to see all 11 boats lined up and ready for the lock. The first lock had 10 pins so one boat would have to raft up, and because we were the smallest vessel, it made the most sense for us to raft up.  Our good friends from Moon Dance were at the front of the pa

Monday October 31, 2022 Florence Harbor Marina There were two locks to get through that had to be scheduled with the lock masters.  The barge traffic is picking up as many of them have been diverted from the Mississippi due to low water levels.  The first lock, Joe Wheeler Dam was at 9:30am.  Next was a short cruise to Wilson Dam where we cooled our heels until 4:00 pm.  Florence Harbor Marina waited for our small flotilla of fellow Looper boats to arrive and get tied up.    Tuesday November 1, 2022 Florence Harbor Marina Stayed a second night at Florence Harbor Marina.  We made a trip to Walmart to re-provision with the courtesy car, washed the boat, and enjoyed a nice dinner at the Rock Bottom Grill.  We learned that the 'season' here at the marina was coming to an end.  While the dock stays open for fuel and water the restaurant closes. Wednesday, November 2, 2022 The colors are really beginning to show.  We had a         very long cruise for us today a whopping 38.8