Second Wind on the Great Loop and Beyond

Thursday, September 13, 2007. We are happy to announce that Second Wind officially “closed the Loop” at 12:30 p.m. on September 13^th when we passed the red buoy at the entrance to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. We stopped the boat for a moment to celebrate with hugs, kisses, and a tear or two (or more). What a huge milestone! When we started this crazy adventure last October, we thought we could imagine what this day would mean to us. Suffice it to say that the reality was ever so much bigger than that. WooHoo!

The photo of our battered burgee says volumes. Every single day of our odyssey revealed extraordinary sights and glorious new adventures. (If you've been reading this blog, you know we also experienced lots of wind.) But best of all, we shared the fun and the challenges with a host of warm, friendly people we met along the way. We’ve told life stories over meals and sunset parties, caught each other’s lines as we docked, and endured outrageous weather together. What a thrilling year we’ve had and how fortunate Bob and I are to have done this together.

How can we begin to thank Ron and Eva Stob, who sparked the dream with Honey Let's Get a Boat (and to Scott and the Kammeruds who gave us this book one Christmas); and Fred Meyers, Skipper Bob, Claiborne Young, and the Doziers (Waterway Guides). Their publications have guided us through 6,200 miles of waterways without a hitch. We are grateful to them all and to the Looper Class of 2007. We smile just thinking of you.

Second Wind is currently staying at Aqua Harbor Marina on Pickwick Lake getting some much-deserved TLC. After we bring her to the Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park, she will eventually reside at Goose Pond Marina in Scottsboro, AL. From there we will begin our post-Loop adventures, proudly flying a gold burgee to signify our new status as "Veteran Loopers."

# posted by Second Wind @ 4:03 PM