Section I - Great Loop June 2019 to December 2019

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SECTION I
The Great Loop: June 2019 to December 2019

 Here's a map showing a possible route and stops along the way traveling the Great Loop.
Here is our map recording our route and stop or waypoints along the way on the Great Loop from June 2019 to early December 2019.

June 14 - June 24:  New Baltimore, NY to Charlotte, VT
The official start to our Great Loop Adventure beginning at Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore, NY, traveling north to Lake Champlain by way of the Hudson River and Champlain Canal into Lake Champlain where we underwent some electronic upgrades while docked at Point Bay Marina in Charlotte, VT. We had the expertise of our son, Graham, who lives nearby and close proximity to our family home of 36 years in Moretown, VT. We will officially close on the sale of our home in Moretown on July 15th. Much of our time in Vermont was spent taking storage bins to Graham & Jackie's home where we will store our personal belongings until we make a plan for where we will eventually live after traveling on the boat for a couple of years. The final trips to Goodwill and the dump left our home completely empty and ready for the new owners and the pending sale in July. It was a bittersweet moment as we left our home for the last time. We took a few last pictures and sat on the front porch in tears saying good-bye to the home and wooded property where we raised our two children, Jaime & Graham, and enjoyed many precious moments with family, especially grandchildren, and friends over the last 36 years. We also delivered our Subaru Outback to its new owner leaving us literally detached from the land and solely relying on our 1980 Albin 36 and 11' Zodiac dinghy and 8 hp motor to move us from port to port and anchorage to anchorage!  

We arrived at Point Bay Marina on June 17th and traveled most of the way with a buddy boat, Summersalt, owned by Lew and Ann Tucker. We met them at Shady Harbor Marina while we were both preparing our boats on the hard for summer travels. Their plan was to travel to Ottawa for the 1st of July festivities, then make their way to Henderson Harbor, their summer home. 

At one point, shortly after departing a lock on the Champlain Canal, our engine died. The problem turned out to be a lack of oxygen, but David was quick and without too much trouble, bled the lines of air and got her running again. Although, the whole episode was quite stressful as the canal has a decent current and so the boat tends to continue moving in a direction without any control. We dropped anchor shortly after the engine quit and remained in a safe place until our friends on Summersalt turned around and pulled up alongside our boat, towing us a short distance where we could tie up on the side of the river. I noticed a mist above the trees a short distance ahead of us and knew there must be a spillway close by which added to the excitement. After David got the engine running again, I made sure one of us was ready to quickly drop anchor again if we lost power near the spillway. Thankfully, there were no other incidents and we managed to enter Lake Champlain on schedule. We anchored with Summersalt at Cole Island, NY on the last night and then said our good-byes as we ended our trip at Point Bay Marina while they continued north to their destination in Canada. 

June 25 - July 9:  Charlotte, VT to Tonawanda, NY
Saying good-bye to Graham, Jackie and 3 month old grandson, Cypress in Vermont was emotional and exciting to say the least! This really felt like we were headed out on our adventure in a big way. Leaving Vermont with the plan of entering the Erie Canal in a couple of days, meant we were really committed and on our way for sure. A year or so from now, we would return to this same place, with stories to tell and some amazing experiences under our belt.We spent an overnight in Whitehall, NY and then Waterford, NY which is the beginning of the Erie Canal.

July 10 - August 4: Lake Erie to St. Clair River, Algonac, MI
   stay tuned...

August 5 - August 14: Lake Huron to Mackinac Island, MI
   stay tuned...

August 15 - October 8: Lake Michigan to Portage, Indiana
   stay tuned...

October 9 - December 10: Chicago, Illinois to Green Turtle Bay, Kentucky
   stay tuned...













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