Great Loop Preparations in High Gear

[Chinook]

That's a generous invitation we can't pass up. We'd love to get together. We do plan on spending a few extra days when we get to Charleston. We were there once before, and stayed at the municipal marina. Very nice place, which even featured air conditioned showers. Only down side was the current which sweeps through the marina. Tough place to get in or out of if it's not slack tide. As we get closer next spring, shoot me an email and we can figure out how to connect.

[C Buchs]

I'll be posting on our website as we go along.

Mike:
What is your web address? Sumner has links to your old pages, but the links are broken. BWY has your Bahamas trip, but I can't find your active site.

Jeff

[C Buchs]

Found it! I went to the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association web site and found a link to http://chinook.cecka.us/ It's now one of the web pages that automatically opens whenever I open my web browser. I'll be watching jealously!

Jeff

[Chinook]

Hi Jeff,

Glad you found it. I'll be flying the AGLCA burgee atop my flag halyard. Below that will be my "Chinook" flag, and in third position will be our state flag. I doubt very many of our state flags have made the circuit around the Loop.

[Sumner]

....Mike: What is your web address? Sumner has links to your old pages, but the links are broken....

I recently was trying to find your older trips (Alaska, Sea of Cortez, etc.) and also found my links to be of no good . I do now have this new one and also the last Bahama trip so will add those on my site but how about the older trips? Are they still up? Hope so as I'd like to re-read the Sea of Cortez one. Some chance I might to there at some point.

Really looking forward to following the Loop trip. You guys have a lot of fun. I might not be in Florida until after the first of the year but if you needed help at the boat yard or in that area my friend Scott is there and could help,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Chinook]

Hi Sumner,

Yes, that web address will access the journals for all the trips I've written up. I'll definitely be interested in the contact info for your buddy, since I'll likely be needing to pull the boat out for an oil change in early December. It'll be disappointing if we can't meet up with you then. Maybe you can catch us in Miami in early January, before we head out for Bimini and beyond. Either that, or maybe when we return to Stuart in early March. On another subject, I saw an article that racing on the flats might have to be canceled this summer because the salt was too thin. Were you able to race this season? If so, how did things go?

Wishing you the best, Mike and Sandy

[Sumner]

Hi Sumner,

Yes, that web address will access the journals for all the trips I've written up. I'll definitely be interested in the contact info for your buddy, since I'll likely be needing to pull the boat out for an oil change in early December. It'll be disappointing if we can't meet up with you then. Maybe you can catch us in Miami in early January, before we head out for Bimini and beyond. Either that, or maybe when we return to Stuart in early March. On another subject, I saw an article that racing on the flats might have to be canceled this summer because the salt was too thin. Were you able to race this season? If so, how did things go?

Wishing you the best, Mike and Sandy

Mike go to this link....

http://www.charlotteharborboatstorage.c ... tions.html

..... and print out the instructions and map for getting into the boat yard through the lock and canal system.

I just talked to Scott down there and he will be there at that time and will be glad to help you guys and to run you around to stores and such. I'll PM you his phone number. He is going to check on current prices for having the boat taken out and put back in and day rates, but you could also call the yard and talk to Shirley about that. I need to stay here until about the 2nd week of Jan. now and then will be there.

We were suppose to be up at Bonneville racing right now this week but as you mentioned it got called off. The main problem is they had heavy rains earlier this year and mud from the mountains there ran out onto the salt and now there is 1-2 inches of mud across areas that we race on. We are entered for the next event in Sept. but it will only happen if conditions get better and that is unlikely this year ,

Sumner

=============================================================

1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[fishstalker7]

Mike,

As you come into the Stuart area...let me know if you need any support! Have a great trip!

David

[Chinook]

Hi David,

We plan to clear back in to the US at Stuart, on our return from the Bahamas. I'd really appreciate it if you could grease the skids with Customs/Border Patrol. Actually, I expect that by the time we reach Stuart, we will really be in a groove. I think the biggest challenge for us on this venture is simply getting started. Preparing for a year + absence is very different from going on even a 2 or 3 month cruise. Sandy and I are really getting worn out, tending to all the chores and details. Things are starting to come together, but we'll still have a substantial amount of last minute things tomorrow. It will be an incredible relief to climb into the truck cab on Saturday morning and roll down the driveway. Hope we can meet up in Stuart next spring, and I further hope that we can spend our time socializing and not tending to problems.

[Obelix]

Mike and Sandy, we wish for save and enjoyable travels starting tomorrow.
We hope to meet with you in person after your crossing to the FL West-Coast.
I'll PM you our phone number, if we can be of any assistance.
In the meantime, we'll follow your travel updates.

Bon Voyage

Obelix

[tp56ihs]

Hi Chinook,
Look forward to reading about your trip.. I am planning to try it in 2017. When you get to Wrightsville Beach, NC and need a ride or something let me know. I am about 3 miles from the IW.

Be Safe,
Tom Parrett
Wind Wager

[Chinook]

Hi Tom,

That's a kind offer. I'll keep your name and location handy. It would be fun to meet up when we get to your neighborhood.

[ris]

Have a nice and resting travel to the Big Lake. If you arrive a day or two behind schedule its ok as you well know. Always make plans but don't let them rule your trip. You and Sandy have fun.

[Catigale]

Mike...did you ever outfit your boat with oars as backup power?

We are downsizing crew to 2 and thinking of 10 day cruises and might want backup power.