Selah Way

Two Journeys Collide What I haven't mentioned yet, is that I was diagnosed with Urethelial Carcinoma (bladder cancer) just after we made the decision to make the journey of the Great Loop back in August of 2018. I underwent surgery for a radical nephrectomy including the removal of my left kidney and ureter in October 2018.  The amazing part is that other than recovery from surgery, I have felt extremely healthy and the side-effects of the immunotherapy are mild to none.  This must have been pre-surgery ;-) because I don't remember feeling THAT good afterwards. My dear friend, Deb, who was also in the hospital at the same time (we facetimed) with colon cancer. I lost my friend in June 2019, just as we were headed out on the Great Loop. She would have joined us for part of the trip along the Erie Canal and who knows where else. She is with us in spirit, but tremendously missed.  The bad news is that after one clear scan in February, the cancer returned showin...

Our route begins in Lake Champlain, heading down the Champlain Canal to Waterford, NY where we will make a left turn into the Erie Canal. The Great Lakes will include Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. We enter the rivers in Chicago, IL and arrive in Mobile, AL in mid-late November. We follow the coast of Florida to the Keys and then up the ICW up the east coast to New York and back into the Hudson River in late spring 2020. As we prepare Selah Way to begin cruising the Great Loop in June 2019, we'd like to show you a map of a the route we most likely will take over the course of approximately one year. Basically, we will be circumnavigating the eastern US counter-clockwise following the 70+ degree weather. First priority is to get our home in Moretown, VT listed to sell. Second priority is to celebrate a "Bon Voyage/Retirement" party on Sunday, June 2 (1-6pm). Third priority is to cast off from Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina near Albany, NY. The rest is a...

Our first summer with our 1980 Albin 36 on Lake Champlain was inspiring and eventful - both good times and bad - with family and friends. David and I enjoyed the convenience of having a slip from May until October at Point Bay Marina in Charlotte, Vermont, which is at the southern end of Lake Champlain. It took about 40 minutes to drive there from our home in Moretown so we even ventured to the boat some days after work to head out for an evening out at anchor for dinner or across the lake to Essex, NY for dinner out. We also found some beautiful anchorages throughout both sides of the lake from Westport, NY north to Rouse's Point, NY. We even took two trips up the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal to Saint-John-sur-Richelieu and Chambly, Quebec. There wasn't any place that we wouldn't suggest for anyone to visit! Our summer adventures inspired us to the point of making definite plans to continue circumnavigating the eastern United States via the Great Loop beginning th...

Selah is a Hebrew term with MANY meanings. We're using "pause and consider".  David, our captain, doing some engine repairs before casting off.  Martin Dudley (Uncle Fud) re-setting the flag stantion so it won't fall off enroute! David & Amy, Captain & First Mate showing off our AGLCA burghee which means we are in progress of cruising the Great Loop. Brother extraordinairre, Tom Briggs, inflating the fenders before heading out. Of course, DOG is helping! Typically, a shake down cruise wouldn't be a three day journey, but it seemed to be the best option for us. For insurance (other than our insurance policy) we invited my brother, Tom Briggs and his buddy since childhood, Martin Dudley (affectionately known as Uncle Fud) for their boating experience and wisdom of all things nautical. Also, we know a good amount of humor is always needed for serious undertakings! This is an impeller. It's missing some "fins" ...

OR...Maiden Voyage from Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina (Hudson River, NY) to Point Bay Marina, Charlotte, VT. In two days, David and I will begin our Great Loop adventure and at the same time will bring our 1980 Albin 36 to our home port in Charlotte, VT. Our crew will include my brother, Tom Briggs and family friend, Martin Dudley. Years ago, this same crew navigated the Oswego Canal locks (without David) and I remember lots of laughs and good times. It'll be fun to do it again, some 40+ years later. We're planning on 2 or 3 days of travel arriving at Point Bay Marina by Sunday mid-day. Stay tuned!

This is a typical conversation between boaters, so it should come as no surprise. David and I loved boating on our '92 Sea Ray Sundancer 270 for our first season in 2017. We had a slip at Point Bay Marina in Charlotte, VT with electricity (rarely used) and took advantage of every possible good weather day to spend out on the lake. It might have only been a quick zip across the lake to Split Rock for dinner and a swim or kayak after work. Sometimes we took several days and headed north as far as Isle La Motte or south to Chipman's Point anchoring in secluded coves or behind small islands for protection from the wind. ONE of our favorite places was Valcour Island - for those of you have been there,  you know why. If you're cruising through Lake Champlain, don't miss this beautiful, historic island known for it's protective coves, beaches, and hiking. So, the conversation that took place was about finding the perfect boat - a little bigger - for traveling beyond L...