Full Circle: Final Thoughts
- May 25
- 5 min read
Big Trip and Big Nerves
When we first cut our lines in Georgian Bay and pointed Sea Clef northward, the journey ahead felt enormous. A bold, exciting, and at times daunting idea—The Great Loop—had been calling to us for years. Yet back then, it was just that: an idea. A dream, a plan stitched together through charts, dock talk, and quiet conversations over morning coffee and tea. A dream of a trip in our own boat that would be 6000 miles, so it was sometimes scary, and definitely overwhelming!
Now, looking back after thousands of nautical miles, oceans, lakes, countless locks, wide open bays, winding rivers, sunrise anchorages, stormy seas, and towns both famous and obscure—we can say with certainty that this voyage has been nothing short of transformational. They say that "if your dreams don't make you nervous, then you're not dreaming big enough." Well, we were nervous, both in our own ways, but we persevered and we are stronger for it, not because of one epic adventure, but because of one day at a time, and countless small journeys.
What do the Numbers Say?
We collected a lot of data on our travels and you can view a summary of them on our Travel Stats page. They include all the various bodies of water, distances, locks, bridges opened, fuel consumption, marina stays, free docks and anchorages. When we set out, we measured progress in miles and gallons; by the end, we measured it in laughter, lessons, and friendships forged across the waters of three countries. The stats tell you how far we travelled, but they can never fully capture just how far we truly came on this glorious adventure!
This trip was more than just a journey—it was a celebration! Not only were we marking Heather’s retirement, but also our 30th wedding anniversary. Almost daily, we were reminded of just how well we work together, both at home and on the boat. We’ve become an even stronger team—capable, skilled, and confident in our roles aboard, and full of love and appreciation for each other. We also discovered that our experience and knowledge could help guide others who were newer to boating but sharing the same adventure. We started the journey with 20 years of boating experience, while others we met had as little as a few months of training...and we thought we were nervous!
Perilous Passages
Some of the passages we’d initially worried about turned out to be far less harrowing than expected. From crossing the Gulf of Mexico and the Albemarle Sound, to venturing across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, and navigating Delaware Bay and the Atlantic coast of New Jersey to New York City, each challenge was met with a steady mix of preparation and patience. Careful planning, thorough research, and sound decision-making—especially when it came to the weather—made all the difference. Heather became our onboard weather guru (she was addicted to her weather apps), while Cam was the expert on route planning. Together, we combined our resources to assess our exposure and risk and make our Go-NoGo decisions. The results weren’t always perfect, but they kept us out of trouble more often than not—and we ended up with fewer harrowing stories to tell than many others we met along the way.
Docks and Stops Along the Way
Other highlights included charming small towns we’d never heard of before, that left a lasting impression—places like Charlevoix with its unique mushroom houses, and Leland with its authentic fish shanties, both in Michigan; Paducah in Kentucky with its Quilt Museum and enormous flood walls painted with murals depicting the history of the town; and Sneads Ferry, North Carolina where we stopped with engine trouble for a few days and discovered a quaint and welcoming fishing village. These hidden gems became the backdrop to some of our most cherished memories.
We encountered a variety of unique locking and docking situations during our Loop journey. On the inland river system, it wasn’t unusual to see boats rafting two to five wide inside the locks. One particularly memorable moment was locking through the Lockport Lock just south of Chicago—rather than tying to a lock wall, we secured ourselves to a box barge.
Along the way, we spent three different nights tied to various barges. At Hoppies Marina on the Mississippi River in Kimmswick, Missouri, we docked alongside a series of three flat barges, which surprisingly offered both water and power. That night, about seven boats shared the space. In Beardstown, Illinois, Logsdon Tug Services provided dockage to transient boaters tied to a barge below their administrative office. There were no amenities, and getting to town involved a steep climb up a long flight of stairs. Finally, we tied up to a flat barge—or scow—at Mel’s Illinois Riverdock Restaurant. By eating breakfast at the restaurant we earned a discount on dockage.
We even stayed at a few locks along the way! In Henry, Illinois, we tied up to an old, crumbling lock wall dating back to around 1850. Surprisingly, there were a few amenities available despite its age. Another peaceful stop was just above the Kaskaskia Lock on the Mississippi River, where we spent a quiet night followed by a spooky fog in the morning. We also stayed just below the Olmsted Lock on the Ohio River. These massive locks are built to accommodate large commercial ships and barges and can be a bit intimidating—quite a contrast to the smaller, more recreational locks we encountered on the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Paying Homage
We didn't do it alone. We were guided by the wisdom of those who went before us, encouraged by fellow Loopers that we met along the way, and buoyed by the unwavering support of family and friends who followed our adventure from home. We attended AGLCA Rendezvous for formal lectures and route briefings. We learned from many Loopers at docktails, consulted with friends back home, especially Dave, who had helped with many projects before we left. We were also joined by friends who shared in our adventure as guests, handling fenders and lines, as well as assisting with food procurement and preparation aboard Sea Clef.
Special thanks go to those who opened their homes to us, those who helped repair our engines in small marinas, and those who stood dockside ready to catch our lines after a long day’s run. And of course, endless thanks to Terry and Pauline for taking care of Sea Clef when we needed to step ashore—and to all the Harbor Hosts, volunteers, and communities that made the Loop feel like a home away from home.
One of the greatest joys of the Loop was the incredible people we met along the way. Special memories were made with our boat buddies: Karen and Rob from Off Leash, Pam and Bob from Out of the Blue, Brad and Lynda from Salish Sea, Ken and Kathie from Caribbean Dream, and Jim and Lisa from Misty Maiden. There were others that we saw frequently while we were Loop Frogging including Ted and Jill on Nice Aft, Jim and Elaine on JEMA, Bruce and Maggie on Currently, Mark and Lorrie on Ottysey, Jeff and Lori on Water Witch, Don and Rachel on Beyond and more. We learned that most people are kind, generous, good, and always willing to help a fellow boater.
Our Final Wake
The Loop might only be a circle, but the experience changes you permanently. It leaves a tide line on your heart that will never wash away. As we now bring our blogs to a close, we find ourselves not at an ending—but at another beginning. There are many journeys ahead for Sea Clef, and for us, both big and small.
Will we do it again? The water is always beckoning. Only time will tell.
Thank you for coming along with us. We hope that in some way, our voyage inspires your own adventures—whether they’re by boat, by road, or simply by spirit.
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