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October 2025 Great Loop Link
FROM THE EDITOR'S DECK
Fall on the inland rivers. Where Loopers trade the hustle and bustle of Milwaukee and Chicago for the relative peace and quiet that is readily available in America's Heartland. Where you might cruise all day and the only sign of life you find is the deer quietly observing you from the shoreline. For some Loopers, the inland rivers are not the most exciting part of the Loop, but your Home Port Crew encourages you to take the time to explore. If you love experiencing fall colors, peak color in Illinois is expected in mid-October. As you get closer to Tennessee and Alabama, peak color isn't expected until late October and early November. White pelicans can be found along the river in Alabama. Even if you prefer the city lights, there is a lot of beauty on the rivers.
This month, Gold Loopers Carolyn & Peter Westbay pick up where Wes Litsey left off last month, bringing you from Paducah, Kentucky down to Mobile, Alabama. One thing you may do more of on the rivers than you have elsewhere on your Loop is anchor out. The inland rivers are less populated and, while you will find towns and marinas, they may be further apart than you will want to cruise in a day. Carolyn shares some of their favorite anchorages and other important information to be aware of as you head south.
Eddy & Linda Johnsen are back with the latest installment of Dock Tales and share with you one of the lesser known segments of the Great Loop ~ The Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway (GCIW). Eddy & Linda share some of their favorite anchorages that will take you from Mobile to Carrabelle in preparation for the Gulf crossing.
Remember ~ hurricane season runs through November 30, so take your time and enjoy the rivers and GCIW. You may just find your new favorite part of the Great Loop in the middle of America!
If locking stresses you out, we can help! Gold Looper Sarah Bowlin admits she was intimated by locking. Now that she's been through over 150 of them, she's got some great advice to help make the process less nerve-racking.
And as always, don't miss your fellow Loopers' Wake Crossing announcements.
In this issue:
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Wake Crossings Reported in August:
3/4 Time
Congratulations to Lennie, who completed his Loop on September 5, 2025 aboard his Great Harbour GH37, 3/4 Time.
A Leap of Faith VI
Congratulations to Peter & Beth, who completed their Loop on August 1, 2025 aboard their Carver 356, A Leap of Faith VI.
"We are so blessed to be able to say that we crossed our wake! This was the trip of a lifetime, and the memories we made will be with us forever. The three biggest surprises for us were the kindness of people when we were in need, the fact that we grew so much closer to each other working side by side to make it happen, and you can accomplish most anything in life if you set your mind to it. We started planning this dream nearly 20 years ago. We were going to wait until we retired to make this journey, but then in the summer of 2023 I was being treated for breast cancer and Pete's only sibling, Patrick, died in a tragic motorcycle accident. After the dust settled we looked at each other and said, 'We have to go next fall'. After talking with our financial advisor who gave us the green light, we talked with our employers. Both our employers supported our decision, and they have hired us back! We are truly living A Leap of Faith!"
Arcadia
Congratulations to Dan & Sharon, who completed their Loop on September 8, 2025 aboard their Sea Ray 390, Arcadia.
"Arcadia crossed her wake at the Holland pier head on Lake Michigan. After waiting 6 days in Ludington for good weather we made the last jump of 90 miles in one day.
"What an adventure! We enjoyed the scenery, the challenges, and the friendships we made on our Loop. Arcadia went 7,450 miles which includes a trip to the Bahamas for two months and the route north through Lake Champlain, Montreal and Ottawa.
"Lake Superior next?"
Back Forty
Congratulations to Mike & Vicki, who completed their Loop on September 20, 2025 aboard their 34' Nordic Tug, Back Forty.
"We visited places we would have never seen, experienced sunsets and sunrises in amazing locations, we learned new skills and found a love for the water we will never shake. But the best thing about our Loop was the people we met and the incredible friendships we never would have made.
"Thanks so much to the Home Port Crew at AGLCA for all of your support."
C.C. & Water
Congratulations to Curt & Cheryl, who completed their Loop on August 19, 2025 aboard their 45' Carver Californian, C.C. & Water.
"A long-awaited dream realized!! We planned and saved for years to do the remarkable 'Loop' journey and we DID IT and SURVIVED with the boat, us, and our marriage all intact! On October 2, 2024, we left our homeport of Chillicothe, Illinois, and on August 19, 2025, the 'C.C. & Water’ crew – Captain Curt, First Mate Cheryl, and Mascot Elwood the Cat – CROSSED OUR WAKE! Three hundred and twenty-one days of memorable sunrises/sunsets, scenic terrain, interesting towns, and friendly people that graced our path through two countries, 18 states, 5,420 nautical miles, and 104 locks.
"The experience was everything we imagined plus more! Without the Loop we never would have been introduced to so many towns, big and small, each with its unique history, culture, culinary delights and, always, warm and welcoming people. We grew as individuals and as a couple. We have great pride in knowing that all we did, learned, and accomplished we did TOGETHER! We laughed lots, made new friends, and all the memories, good and bad, we will cherish forever. We saw many cool places but there are so many that we missed! So, 'Loop 2' perhaps? Tempting, but likely not. 'C.C. & Water' is up-for-sale which is bittersweet! She is a comfortable and beautiful boat but she belongs on a wide and deep waterway (which our Chillicothe port is not). We have earned the Gold Looper burgee and we possess it with awe and pride.
"There are many factors that play into the success of a positive Loop experience. We place these things at the top: (1) daily research/planning of routes and weather forecasts; (2) constant and productive communication with your partner; (3) time off when feeling stressed, (4) utilize the immense and vital information offered by the AGLCA community; and (5) the love and support of friends and family. A few weeks ago, when we returned to our homeport, we were overcome and teary-eyed to be welcomed home by a crowd of marina family, friends and relatives all applauding, hugging, and popping champagne! As it has been said, 'it’s nice to go away but it’s really, really nice to be home' and in that moment it’s never been truer!
"We may not be Loopers anymore but we are Boaters and there’s still a lot more uncharted waters and adventure out there for us!"
Call Me Curly
Congratulations to Grant & Sharon, who completed their SECOND Loop on July 8, 2025 aboard their Carver 466, Call Me Curly.
"First of all, we would like to thank AGLCA for all their support during our two Loops. Without your expertise, I don't think any of us would have had such a great experience.
"We were fortunate to complete our Platinum Loop on July 8, 2025. Exploring the small towns be it on the Great Lakes, the rivers, the GICW or the AICW, they will be forever embedded in our memory bank. The dolphins will always be my favourite part of cruising in the Gulf, the ICW and the Atlantic.
"That long trip across the Gulf was uneventful except for the pea soup fog for most of the way, but so glad that part is behind us. The first Loop we were fortunate to be able to do the Big Bend, but Mother Nature had a very bad attitude in changing the topography of that part of the country making it more difficult to navigate.
"The docktails, the dinners, and comradery shared with all the wonderful people we met along the way will never be forgotten. The friendships we have continued to enjoy over the past two Loops are so very special.
"Thank you again to all of you who have made the last four years so memorable. Enjoy every moment and take lots of pictures."
Chug n Tug
Congratulations to Chris & Cathy, who completed their Loop on August 16, 2025 aboard their Ranger Tug CB-31, Chug n Tug.
"This was a life-changing adventure, which allowed us to grow closer together as a couple. I would like to thank Kim Russo and the Home Port Crew for providing the sample itinerary c/w GPX tracks, which was our main planning tool. I would also like to thank Jim Healy for providing a wealth of accurate information on the forum, which greatly enhanced our Loop. Now that we are confident boating, we hope to continue cruising in Canada in the summer months."
Escapades
Congratulations to Jon, who completed his Loop on August 31, 2025 aboard his Hatteras 42 Long Range Cruiser, Escapades.
"I’m thankful for the opportunity to have made this journey. After almost 4 years and over 14,000 miles, Escapades and I crossed our wake at the Grand Haven inlet on Lake Michigan where we started on 10/6/21. Although I was solo for over half of those miles, the time spent with family and friends was special indeed. We saw the inland rivers including the Tombigbee, Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, Monongahela, Allegheny, Kanawha, and Lower Mississippi. A solo Gulf crossing, the Keys, the Bahamas, Long Island Sound, the Champlain, Chambly, Rideau, and Trent-Severn/Georgian Bay were all less travelled but truly enjoyable parts of the adventure. I’m especially thankful for the unexpected turns along the way that always ended up providing a new adventure and allowed me to keep this going for such a long time.
"Thanks to all who have supported me and all of the Looper community for being there like an extended family. Special thanks to my 20-plus crew members who came along for portions of the trip, you truly made it special for me."
FreeFlow
Congratulations to Jeff & Shelly, who completed their Loop on September 16, 2025 aboard their Tollycraft 44, FreeFlow.
"At 12:40pm on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, FreeFlow crossed our wake, marking the end of an extraordinary adventure: America's Great Loop. The feeling is, first and foremost, bittersweet. While we've shed (for now) the endless cycle of planning, routing, and daily navigation, a deep part of us wishes the journey wasn't over. A year ago, the thought of this undertaking stretched out like an eternity. Now, with the last nautical mile of this Loop behind us, it feels like it wasn't nearly long enough.
"We began our voyage fresh-faced and in awe of the seasoned 'Loopers' who had completed this epic journey. The seasons became our compass, guiding us from the vibrant colors of fall to the quiet of winter on the rivers, then to the sun-drenched coasts of the Gulf, Florida, Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Bahamas. Spring brought us up the East Coast, by the Statue of Liberty where our forefathers & ancestors emigrated, and summer saw us through the magnificent northern waters of Canada, with its intricate canal systems and the vastness of the Great Lakes, before finally returning us to our home waters of Lake Michigan. Our route included the Dismal Swamp, Hudson River/Lake Champlain, Chambly Canal to Montreal route, Ottawa River to Rideau Canal to Lake Ontario to Bay of Quinte to the Trent Severn Waterway to Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron to return to Lake Michigan.
"We enjoyed the peace & quiet solitude at anchor, were mesmerized by the beauty of the sky & water, were captivated by the wildlife, including eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, herons, flamingos, turtles, alligators, swans, loons and dolphins, dolphins & more dolphins & so many other creatures!
"Along the way, we shared our stories—through posts, calls, texts, and postcards—hoping to bring a piece of our adventure to friends and family at home. We embraced the learning curve, navigating new waterways, overcoming challenges, and adapting to ever-changing weather and tides. Every day brought new sights, new challenges, and a new environment to explore.
"But the most cherished part of our journey wasn't the miles logged, but the people we met. The camaraderie of fellow boaters, the shared stories, fun & laughter over ‘docktails’ and meals, boaters helping boaters, people helping people, and the unwavering friendships forged on the water brought a rich and wondrous dimension to the trip.
"Our white AGLCA burgee, worn and tattered from the elements, flew proudly until the very end. With a touch of reverence, we took it down and replaced it with our Gold burgee – the symbol of having completed our first Loop.
"The final count:
- Total nautical miles: 6,770 of our Loop route
- Countries visited: USA, Canada, and the Bahamas
- States explored: 18
- Great Lakes crossed: 3
- Locks navigated: 158
- Days on the water: 363
"An unforgettable detour: Thanks to some inspiring and incredible people we met on the rivers, we added a side trip to assist with delivery from Florida across the Caribbean Sea, down to Panama and through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean — adding another six locks, another ocean and another country to our incredible journey.
"Thanks to AGLCA Home Port Crew, our friends that joined in on our journey, family & friends that helped on the home front while we were away, the many new Looper friends we met and all the amazing people that helped us along the way. We enjoyed this adventure and were once again reminded that Life is Immense! Always Choose Adventure!"
Gigi III
Congratulations to Helen Marie & David, who completed their Loop on August 20, 2025 aboard their 1984 Hatteras 61 Cockpit, Gigi III.
Hull of a Life
Congratulations to Ken & Cathy, who completed their Loop on June 3, 2025 aboard their Aquila 44, Hull of a Life.
"WE DID IT!! At 8:23 June 3rd, 3025 we officially crossed our wake at Cayo Costa!
- 5896.8 miles travelled
- (Average 49.55 miles/day)
- 491 days since we took off 2/2/2024
- 119 cruising days to travel the Loop
- 4050 gallons of diesel used
- 68 locks transitted
"Countless memories made of people we’ve met, friends we’ve made, places and things we’ve seen. It’s been an adventure and a life journey like none other and can only be fully understood by those who have completed it.
"It has tested our patience, our resolve and at points, maybe our sanity but we persevered.
"Special thanks to the Gold Loopers who gave us extra help on the way - Compass Rose, One-eyed Dog, Gypsy Soul, Dreamcatcher - to name a few. We couldn’t have done it without you! We treasure your friendships and look forward to seeing you again.
"Was it worth it? Absolutely! Would we do it again? For sure, but probably on a land yacht this time! Hull of a Life has been passed on to another family ready to do the Loop. We know she’ll take them safely on their travels!"
LEGACY
Congratulations to Frani & Don, who completed their Loop on September 17, 2025 aboard their Back Cove 41, LEGACY.
Don and Frani Jones of Indian Hill completed a trip of a lifetime. An 11-month approx 6,000 mile journey on America’s waterways, exploring small towns, big cities and the wilderness through the eastern portion of the United States including the Gulf Coast, the eastern seaboard, America’s 200-year-old canal system, the Great Lakes, Canada, and down the midwest rivers, all aboard our 41’ boat, LEGACY."
Mama's Money
Congratulations to Steve & Debra, who completed their Loop on August 29, 2025 aboard their 36' Prairie Atlantic Trawler, Mama's Money.
SeaWord
Congratulations to David (& Marble!), who completed his Loop on August 27, 2025 aboard his 38' 1980 Gulfstar Trawler, SeaWord.
Selkie
Congratulations to Tad & Libbie, who completed their Great Loop on August 29, 2025 aboard their Kadey Krogen 39, Selkie.
"We crossed our wake!
"We are now docked at the Solomons Island Yacht Club, and are ready to rest.
"We started on May 17, 2022 and traveled 6,412 nautical miles or 7,379 statute miles to finish today, August 28, 2025, exactly 1,200 days, nine hours and 50 minutes later.
"To top it off, celebrating our 41st anniversary this same weekend reinforces the fact that living in a small space for months at a time while being put in stressful situations taught us how to communicate better and strengthened our bond to each other.
"What an adventure.
"Figuring out that we don’t have to do the Loop in one year opened up a ton of extra time for us to both enjoy the Loop and take care of other parts of our lives. Our favorite parts were Georgian Bay and the Florida Keys, but we were pleasantly surprised by the Lowcountry on the Southeast Coast. If we did not live in Lake Tahoe, we might consider moving there.
"We anchored out probably two-thirds of the time and were at dock the other third. We participated in Docktails (Docktales?), Rocktales, and many other impromptu gatherings where we met wonderful people along the way.
"We now have to start sorting out our stuff in preparation for selling Selkie. Some stuff we will leave behind for the new owners, some stuff we will take home, and some stuff… well, we don’t know what we were thinking.
"But the brilliant memories and fabulous friendships we will carry forward the rest of our lives are priceless."
Solstice
Congratulations to Gary & Margo, who completed their Loop on September 1, 2025 aboard their 36' Grand Banks Classic, Solstice.
"This experience was more rewarding and challenging than we had ever expected. The support we received from our family and friends made this year-long journey possible! We are so grateful for all those we met along the way and the deep friendships we will keep in our hearts for a lifetime. The support and information we were provided from AGLCA made this a successful voyage. We are so thankful to AGLCA and all those who supported us and shared docktails along the way."
Stone's Throw
Congratulations to Jeff & Gwen, who completed their Loop on September 7, 2025 aboard their Sundancer 400, Stone's Throw.
"What an incredible journey! The 6,000 miles were filled with marinas, museums, restaurants, locks and wonderful new boating friends too numerous to count. This boating community has helped us through the best and the worst of our adventure. Our intention was to anchor out 75% of the time, but that turned into 75% marinas. We loved docktails and meeting new Looper friends and of course the comforts of a marina. There were so many favorite places, it is hard to list them all. There was Florida in the winter, the crystal blue waters of the Bahamas, the natural beauty of Canada, and the eastern shore of Lake Michigan with its green waters. This was a trip of a lifetime which will always be remembered."
Sugar Kain
Congratulations to Tom & Cliasta, who completed their Loop on July 18, 2025 aboard their 42' Grand Banks Classic, Sugar Kain.
"The Great Loop was an amazing adventure! We met so many wonderful people along the way who have become great friends. Some of the highlights were a side trip to Nashville, spending a month in Key West and our side trip to the Bahamas. We have so many wonderful memories and now we are trying to decide where the next adventure will take us."
The Rich Life
Congratulations to Rich & Heather, who completed their Loop on September 9, 2025 aboard their SeaRay 420 Sedan Bridge, The Rich Life.
"This was an adventure of a lifetime. Everyday offered something new to learn not only about boating but about ourselves. We are forever better for this experience and so grateful for all of the fantastic people we have met along the way!"
Unbridled
Congratulations to Gordon & Nancy, who completed their Loop on September 14, 2025 aboard their Navigator 4200 Classic, Unbridled.
"WE CROSSED OUR WAKE!! Almost 10 years ago we learned about the Great Loop. It peaked our interest so we began to ask some questions. We bought our boat in 2021, began to take smaller trips on Lake Michigan preparing for our adventure. The timing all worked out, Gordon was able to retire and we set a target date of August 4, 2024 for departure. Weather, always a huge component of boating especially on Lake Michigan, was even in our favor that day, so off we went! We pulled out from ReefPoint Marina in Racine, Wisconsin, and headed south on Lake Michigan.
"Gordon did a great job captaining during our Loop. I learned to master the lines and fenders and became more confident in piloting the boat. Unbridled performed beautifully. We visited so many wonderful places. We are often asked which stop was our favorite but in all honesty, it was the people we met or traveled with, in those places that made them truly special.
"We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to complete such an adventure. It definitely was not a vacation, cruising the Great Loop there is always a learning curve to each waterway and marina. It didn’t go exactly as we envisioned it but then again if it did it wouldn’t have been much of an adventure! I’m so proud we completed the Loop and earned our Gold Burgee. What the boating future holds, we shall see…."
Valkyrie
Congratulations to Richard & Jacob, who completed their Loop on August 27, 2025 aboard their Sargo 36 Explorer, Valkyrie.
"As I was doing my daily log, I realized we had crossed our wake on the St Marys River on our run from Sault Ste. Marie to Drummond Island. This past year sure went fast. And all the planning that led up to it suddenly seemed trivial.
"I first read about the Great Loop in a retirement magazine, shortly before I retired in 2016. It went on my Bucket List, while I contemplated the possibility of doing it with my son, Jacob, who is autistic. In the meantime, I joined AGLCA and started doing research to find the 'perfect' boat. In 2018, we rented a Le Boat for a week and cruised the Rideau Waterway, which proved to me my son and I could do the Loop. We went to several boat shows and Trawlerfests, until we found our Sargo 36 Explorer in 2020 at Anacortes, WA. A month later, the pandemic hit and we didn’t see our boat for a year.
"In 2021, we cruised Puget Sound, before we moved the boat to Michigan, where we intended to start our Loop. We wanted to do the Inside Passage to Alaska, but Canada was still closed to border crossings. We found a condo on Spring Lake, MI, which is next to Grand Haven, that had an attached covered 60’ slip. It turned out to be a fixer-upper, which used up our cruising budget for 2022.
"My father passed in May, 2023. I realized then, if we wanted to do the Loop, we had to commit to it, because life was going to happen regardless. We told everybody—family, friends, neighbors, doctors, dentists, etc.—we were leaving to do the Loop in September 2024. In September of 2023, we did a shakedown cruise to Isle Royale, a 1,300-mile round trip. Valkyrie handled Lake Superior incredibly well. When I called to make reservations at Marquette, MI, the dock master asked if we were out there in the 4-6’ seas. I told him we were, and he said, 'Buddy, if you can get here, we got a slip for you'. When we pulled into the fuel dock later, the dock master came running out to greet us. He said, 'You didn’t tell me you were driving a tank!'
"I call our boat a modern-day Viking ship, which is an apt description. Made in Finland, her Scandinavian roots are evident in her design and performance. She proved to be rugged, reliable, and comfortable. She also had speed, which came in handy several times. To my knowledge, we are the first Loopers to complete the Loop on a Sargo 36 Explorer.
"People keep asking me, 'What are you going to do next'? Maybe I’ll write a book about our adventure. Author Louis L’Amour said, 'There will be a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.' That’s probably a good description for somebody who plans to go around again too. At this point, we’re not going to do that. Instead, we’re going to resume our previous routine of spending our winters in Montana, skiing and snowmobiling, and spending our summers in Michigan boating. I know, I know, we’re supposed to go north and south, not east and west. I must admit, we did enjoy our long stays in Pensacola, Crystal River, and Key West, FL, but I’m not ready to become a snowbird just yet.
"It takes a village. I cannot possibly thank all the Loopers who helped us achieve our quest without missing somebody, so suffice it to say if we met you along the way, either online, in person, or just passing by, you probably helped somehow and we truly do appreciate it. A huge thanks to Kim and the Home Port Crew for all you do. You’re the heart and soul of this wonderful organization.
"Lastly, as we work our way back to our homeport in Spring Lake, MI, I’d like to extend an open invitation to all Loopers still headed that way. We can help you with provisions, marina recommendations, good anchorages, and offer any help you might need. Or, we’d be happy to join you for docktails. You can find us on Nebo, if you don’t have our card already.
"Thanks, and safe travels. It’s been a heck of a party!"
Weekend at Bernies
Congratulations to Bernard & Sandra, who completed their Loop on September 10, 2025 aboard their Sea Ray Sundancer 43, Weekend at Bernies.
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