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What does one do after they sell their sailboat after sailing the Great Lakes, , St. Lawrence Seaway, the Maritime provinces and Newfoundland/Labrador?
Our children -- all healthy, happy, great careers and lives of their own were wondering -- "Oh dear, what are they up to next?"
Somewhere way back when, a seed was sown --- what's this Great Loop everyone is talking about? (Checkout great loop.org) the past year has been spent planning, reading blogs, investigating, learning routes, buying charts and guides and joining Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association. It is the circumnavigation of the Eastern half of the United States via the Great rivers of the Midwest to the Gulf Inter-coastal, down around Florida, eventually ending up in Canada's historic canals that will dump us back into the Great Lakes up in the Georgian Bay. We would eventually 'cross our wake' where we Officially started yesterday.
So, we 'Crossed to the Dark Side' as our sailing friends are saying. Now we are 'recovering sailors' and proud owners of a Nordic Tug.

Introducing SIMPATICO NT32-310

Yup, we have begun the Voyages of Simpatico -- our children said. "What?"  "Where?"  "Why?"

All you out there that love the water and cruising lifestyle understand the lure of the sea, no traffic or lawn mowing; great places to see and great people to meet.-- not to mention getting water glimpses of what early voyagers experienced as they settled this land. Albeit - not with our modern conveniences!

Our season began on June 8th when we closed up the house and set off for Sturgeon Bay , WI to commission Simpatico.

Wendi, our oldest, drove out with us to lend a hand then brought our car back. We left Sturgeon Bay on the 16th of June for South Manitou Island, Northport, Old Mission Bay - all anchorages learning all the 

little characteristics of our little vessel.

Then on to Elk Rapids, MI where we helped daughter Kelly launch her sailboat.

Look at that smile!

While there our Floridian Grand Boys joined us for a couple weeks cruising.  Charlevoix was first for  ice cream then a look at the famous 'Mushroom Houses'.  We had a visit with old friends on Beaver 

Island, then on to St, Helena Island to tour the light house and do a little fishing.

St. Ignace was next to attend a 4 day Nordic Tug Rendezvous. Here 2 more Grands joined us, Emma and Owen. Wendi their Mom wasn't invited so she had to leave.  !:). The 4 cousins had a grand time
catching up and hanging out

There was a HUGE car show in town that kept us all in awe of  how these old cars were so
beautifully restored. The Main Street was closed for at least a mile, lined both sides with cars of every vintage and model!

We thoroughly enjoyed having them aboard. What wonderful, resourceful, intelligent children OUR children have produced! Emma and Owen left us in St. Ignace. 

Conor and Aidan are very interested in the Great Lakes freighters that ply these waters and we were amazed how they recognized and knew so much about them. Residual knowledge from when they used to go to our cabin before they moved to Florida. We wanted them to experience the locks at Sault St. Marie.

They handled the lines going up the Canadian Lock into Lake Superior and also down the next day in the BIG American
 lock.  They did a great job!

While in Sault St. Marie, we used the Marina bikes and visited many sites. The Soo Lock visitor Center, Aquatic Research Station,, Valley Camp Museum Ship and the Tower of History. Of course, we had to take them to Our favorite eatery, Penney's Kitchen for breakfast. They both
ordered the Hungary Man's Special!!!

July 3rd we traveled down River to Detour, got some fishing in with Uncle Hugo and Bucco on the Fourth, a Bon fire and s'mores and finished off with Fireworks. A great ending to a wonderful experience having those Little Men all to ourselves for a few weeks.  On the 5th we sailed to
Mackinaw City where John and Shannon came to take their children back.

They were such a Joy!

Now it's countdown time! Back to Detour to glean the boat once again of things we will not need for our trip. We designed and sewed a screen for the back deck, cleaned the boat from stem to stern, refreshed the teak, loaded bicycles --- while at Detour several Looper boats came in. All saw our 

Looper Burgee and stopped to say hello and that we will not be sorry, they ALL loved the trip. One other great surprise -- Ellie Adams and Jim Hawkins arrived on their sailing vessel Meta Fog. We first met them in 2006 in Newfoundland. Although we have kept in contact all these years it is the first time we have seen them since that first meeting.

Oh my! What a treat catching up on all our collective wanderings!

That brings us to Today! Jim and Ellie took our picture and help cast off as we begin our Next great Adventure!

Look for another addition 2 weeks or a month. :)