CHANGE OF PLANS?

CHANGE OF PLANS?

One thing we have become very good at is being flexible with our route and plans.  We had talked about completing the Loop and then coming back to a location (TBD) and spending some time on the east coast.  It seems that our plans need to be "modified!"  The Army Corp of Engineering is scheduling a lock closure on the upper Illinois River from June 1 to September 30, 2023!  That WAS our planned route out of Lake Michigan (and the Great Loop Route) which we won't be able to complete in 2023.  So we are now looking at staying on the east coast this fall and continuing the Loop the following year (2024).

Beginning June 1, 2023 the Corps of Engineers will be closing Brandon Road, Dresden Island, Marseilles, and Starved Rock Lock & Dams.
Brandon Road ~ closed 120 days (June 1 – Sept. 30)
Dresden Island ~ closed 120 days (June 1 – Sept. 30)
Marseilles ~ closed 90-120 days (June 1 - Sept 30)
Starved Rock ~ closed 90-120 days (June 1 - Sept 30)

WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO LAUNCH!

We sold our home early this year and moved to our boat. We down sized from a 3 story townhome, with nearly 2700 sq ft to a 36 ft boat and a storage unit. We sold almost everything, but kept a few boxes of sentimental value or irreplaceable items.

We made lots of improvements to the boat, thanks to my very handy husband and many friends from the marina (and oh of course Amazon!) All of this so we can start the adventure of a lifetime, or as I'm calling it these days, "our year long vacation." The sad part is we're going to miss our friends and family; the best part is we'll take them along on the Loop through this Facebook Page and our blog.

We had a wonderful send-off dinner our last night at Twin City Marina. We're definitely blessed with many good friends and loving family.

Alex 

Bobby & Kena

Josh, Sadie and McKenna Hulse

Jacob Marti & Charlie

MJ Blair & Asea

Foreground: Sara, Elli and Charlie Wiplinger
Background: Paul Duerre and Greg Trombley

Left to Right: Jill Marti, Ron & Barb Hilson

Departure Date Set

We will be casting off from Twin City Marina on September 8, 2022, baring any unforeseen delays. Our first stop will be Red Wing, MN. 

Bob's to-do list is nearly complete,  thanks to our friends and dock mates, Mark and MJ Blair for helping Bob and feeding us  all weekend, and Bobby for squeezing in where Bob couldn't in order to mount the windlass!

Now waiting on Amazon to deliver our stuff, including the must-have horn that decided to call it quits over the weekend!

FAREWELL PARTY (test blog)

We were too busy visiting and didn't take many pictures, but this is a good one!  Left to right, Elli, Lily, Asea, Ariana and Hoda.

 Planning a goodbye party on the dock on August 28th to see as many friends as we can, as well as to show off the boat (with all its upgrades).    Party is from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Hope the weather cooperates!

Update:  The weather cooperated and we had a chance to say goodbye to many friends and family who stopped by to see us and Imzadi-2.  And... I got stung by a bee :-(  Oh well!

LOTS OF HARD WORK

 Bob is working so hard to get the boat ready!  Our friend, Nick, has sanded the teak on the bow and Bob is working on the new bow pulpit.  Tomorrow, Imzadi-2 will get a final buff and wax and then we can add the netting to the railing so the dogs won't fall in during the trip!  In the meantime, I'm working on the this blog and our Facebook page so our family and friends can keep tabs on us.  We will also need "boat cards".  Boat Cards are customary for the loopers to pass to other loopers they meet along the way.