Jammin Jane Crosses Her Wake!!!

Proud to fly the Gold burgee!!

WOW! We did it!! 

6,200 statute miles, 13 months (398 days total), 19 states, 126 different ports and we made it back to our home port of Ephraim, WI. 

We enjoyed our last three hours of our trip calling and texting all our fellow Loopers. The excitement factor was overwhelming, we were experiencing all ranges of emotions but the one that kept lurking for me was a bit of sadness. Just like when we left our home port 13 months ago. Sadness for ending our trip, sadness for missing our friends and sadness that we will be putting the boat away for several months before we get to do this all over again! But there is no denying, we couldn't hide our jubilation!! What a feat we conquered! 

We are one happy Gold Looper family!!!

Our trip involved so much about the beauty of our gorgeous country, the wonderfulness in all the lovely people we met along the way and the wonderment of what is around the bend.

How do you come away from this experience the same as when you started?? You simply do not. I feel proud and confident in our boating abilities now but personally I have changed. I had to learn to not be an introvert, I'm usually not one to put myself out there. I no longer get anxious having to introduce myself in crowds, and I'm enjoying the social aspect of being a Looper. Our relationship is stronger, we have spent so much time together that we sometimes don't have to speak to have a conversation!! hahaha, seriously things for us could not be any better. We are thrilled with this accomplishment! 

Some quick tidbits:

• We transited 70 locks (We traveled the Welland Canal to Cleveland)
• Anchored 6 nights (entirely by choice, we found marinas easier for us with our dog Crocket)
• Only moved 30% of the time 
• Averaged 50 miles per travel day
• Had a tachometer cable and a shifter cable give us trouble along the rivers
• Bought a new boat along the way (had to replace a motor on that, thankful for warranty)
• Two bee stings, one for each of us. Grateful it wasn't Crocket, he is allergic!
• Close to 1,400 dog poop bags used 
• 1 hospital visit (Ben had vertigo)
• 3 vet visits along the way (nothing but check-ups for Crocket)
• Took on approximately 4,000gallons of diesel
• Traveled 6, 200 statue miles
• Only 1% of boaters will do the Great Loop (about 150-200 boats a year)...

We were greeted at our harbor with balloons and decorations, sirens and horns blaring, family and friends yelling and tears running down our faces. What a welcoming!! This was the reason for our excitement, seeing our loved ones who we missed along our travels. We enjoyed our time celebrating and thankful for the love and joy we were able to share with everyone!

I can see the harbor!! But even better we can hear our family and friends!!

What a sight to see! 

Pulling into our slip...It's Uncle Kevin and Billy!

Our Great Loop travels were amazing, we are so proud to have completed this trip!

Popping corks!

Crocket and his girlfriend, Mazy

My niece Hannah

Joanne, Richie, JD and Andrea (Gianna is in her stroller)

My nephew Luke, could not keep him out of the water!

There were some dares and I believe some are in clothes

And in shoes...

Hannah, me and Sam

Martin and Ben

Some grilling and chilling

Me and Annie, aka Pee!

Ben, me, Hannah, Cathy (Ben's mom), Pee and Ethan (missing Luke, he was swimming)

Cousin Jenny and Hannah

Pee, Billy, Kelli and Jan

Ben and Charlie

Our spectacular view, I will never tire of this gorgeous sky

Setting off lanterns for Uncle Jim

This is not the end of our travels or our blog. Please keep following along, we have lots coming up before we start prepping to do the Great Loop next fall!! We have boat projects planned and more to add to the list. And I still have stuff to share about our first loop around...