Day 468
6,640 miles
When we came out of the Trent-Severn Waterway, we spent the night in Midland, Ontario. Many Loopers go from there to cruise the rest of the Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Since we have vacationed in the North Channel several times, we decided to head straight to Mackinaw City. Although, a stop in Killarney for the fried fish would have been totally worth it!
Upon arriving in Mackinaw City, we had to check in with U.S. Customs. We did it via their new app and within several minutes we were cleared.
The Mighty Mac - the Mackinac Bridge
Going under the bridge and entering Lake Michigan, where the water is blue and deep and wide and familiar!
With wanting to come back to Ludington on a weekend so more of our family and friends could help us celebrate, we spent several days in Frankfort. This gave us a chance to rest, and then give True North a good cleaning inside and out.
It is with humble and grateful hearts that I can say our Great Loop is complete. We crossed our wake . . . we are home! We arrived back in Ludington on Saturday, July 14 – my 63rd birthday.
We were overwhelmed by the welcome we received. Family, friends and dock neighbors gathered on boats, and the break wall, and the A dock to greet us.
We were escorted in
View from Tool Time, one of the boats that came out to meet us. True North is the lead boat, just going past the Ludington lighthouse.
A short video of friends and family who walked out to the lighthouse to welcome us home.
More family and friends lined the break wall
Harbor View Marina - our summer home!
Still more family and friends on the dock
As with our RV travels, we are fully aware that this adventure was a gift from God. A gift of the time to do it, a gift of physically being able to do it, and a gift of the resources to do it.
Our kids, knowing full well we were spending their inheritance, were our biggest cheerleaders – always encouraging us to do more, see more, explore more and enjoy more.
What started out as way to go south by boat for the winter so Greg could fish and we could escape the cold morphed into SO MUCH MORE. Before we left I don’t think we truly comprehended what wonders we would find as we traveled in 3 different countries - the U.S., Bahamas and Canada.
There is no "favorite part", simply because how do you choose between the clear, aquamarine color of the water and the gorgeous beaches in the Bahamas, or the lush beauty of the Hudson River, or the incredible scenery in Canada, or the history-filled small towns, or the quiet splendor of a river anchorage?
It is said that the Great Loop is a series of day trips that eventually take you back to where you started. Those day trips all run together, and we often found ourselves having to look at our pill boxes to know what day of the week is was! (Probably a good indicator of retirement in general!)
Loopers fall into 3 categories: In the planning stage, are currently on the Loop, and those that have completed the Loop. We are in awe that we now fall into that last category. We are beyond thankful.
Our white burgee (flag) is tattered and worn after 2 years of flying on the bow of True North.
The gold burgee signifies the completion of the Loop.
We were surprised with 2 cakes.
“Out of the welter of life, a few people are selected for us by the accident of temporary confinement in the same circle.” Anne Morrow Lindberg – Gift From The Sea.
We embraced the Looper lifestyle and met over a hundred other boaters. Some will be friends for life. In fact, Jim and Terri from Lucky Ducks and Dan and Jenny Lynn from Gypsy Spirit/Melody In Sea drove to Ludington to share this special day with us.
Perhaps our greatest accomplishment on this journey is that after 6, 600 miles together on a boat, the four of us are still speaking to each other. Which is a good thing because we are family!
The exploring is done – at least for this summer as we want to spend as much time as possible with our family, especially our grandchildren. And we’ll take time to reflect on our two-year journey and savor the incredible memories.
Two years ago a fellow Looper said of crossing their wake – “We cried because we were home. We cried because it was over.” I now understand.
Unique and Random Photo of Our Last Day:
Sign on the flybridge of True North
Mike and I welcome you back too and wish we could have been there but we are summer wondering in WI now. Hope to see you in August at Harborview. Snookie!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you are home safe and sound. Glad to hear that your voyage was enjoyable and successful. See you in August, plans are made.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday Becky!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the crew of True North on going GOLD! Welcome to the club! Hopeful that we catch up with you guys somewhere along the water again!