The groundhog has spoken and while I’m not sure what his/her record has been in predicting the next 6 weeks, they seem to have nailed the idea that we will be cold and snowy through April 1st. Nonetheless, April is not that far off and there is much to do for the planned May 1st splash and June 1st departure. Yikes, even as I write this, I am getting a sense that I am already behind schedule. Shopping lists have been made, supplies on order (Defender loves me), projects defined (bottom paint, waste lines flushed, Barnacle Buster soak for the engines, and so much more….). While daunting, it’s all doable assuming the weather cooperates. A snow storm on 4/15 would be a serious setback, but as you all know, flexible, adaptable, resilience,….. are hallmarks of boaters and better be for those planning a 6000 mile voyage.
The well know Chinese proverb states ‘every journey begins with a single step’. Our trip this year will begin with a step off the dock and a short voyage to Dutch Harbor. Retracing our steps from 2019, we will make our way through Long Island Sound to NYC and then up the Hudson to Shady Harbor, just short of Albany, NY. The plan, though not a schedule (as that is the most dangerous thing one can bring on a boat) is to make it to Shady Harbor for the June 13th Pig Roast!! This is an annual event put on by the Donovan’s to kick off the boating season and particularly the passing of the Loopers as they make their way north via the Champlain Canal or west via the Erie Canal. Which way we will go remains a question the Virus and Canadian Government will decide for us.
Our preference is to head to Lake Champlain and the Chambly Canal to Montreal though as of this writing the Canadian border remains closed. I have read that Canadians have been lobbying their officials to allow boaters with all the appropriate proviso’s in place. Georgian Bay is reported to be the Crown Jewel of the Great Loop and missing it due to Covid would be most unfortunate though it will ensure we take on ‘The Triangle Loop’ in 2022. My assumption is vaccination is a requirement and we will be past that hurdle by March 11th. I am hopeful, but also understanding of the need to make plans that do not include Canada. Writing this reminds me that I am weeks behind in the Babbel French lessons I invested in before the Holidays… Sacre bleu!!!
Next Blog will be on the day we strip the shrink wrap off and get started on the Spring projects. Stay warm!
Aisling goes Looping 