Blame it on Buffet or Dad and Mom

As I wrap up this first leg of the Great Loop, I reflect back to a question someone asked me along the way when I told them I was doing the loop: "That's cool that you want to do the loop, but why?"
It brings to mind the song Telescope by Cage the Elephant. It describes a person who doesn't go out and explore, he just spends his days inside his house locked away wondering what could be.  I don't want to be just looking through my telescope.  I believe that people are born to explore, to be wanderers of this home we call earth. And as Eric Stone explains life is Permanently Temporary.  So I say get out and explore.

I look at the Loop as my opportunity to see a part of this great land from a different perspective, to feel it and hopefully share some of it with you.  For instance who has ever seen a school bus that is a boat? I don't think I have, but that's exactly what I saw near Murrells Inlet, SC.  I have had dolphins swimming along with the boat (it's hard to get a picture of them).  I saw a black bear in Beaufort County, NC. Eagles, seagulls and bears, oh my.  Yes I have seen black bears before, but this seemed different.  Maybe I'm different ("The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust ).   So far, I there have been a lot of beautiful and interesting homes along the way.

Only way in to this home is by boat.  Big water tanks catch
the rainwater from the roof.  No electrical lines.

I saw a town in NC where all of the homes are raised about four feet.  I met a great couple that I sailed with for a few days.  I met another great couple here on the dock in Ossining that have been very nice to chat with during my stay. Although I only skirted the eastern side of the dismal swamp, it was beautiful.  The upper Chesapeake Bay was almost as green (remember I am color blind, so this is saying something) and beautiful as Kentucky. Since I left Charleston, I have tried to match up the pictures with my travel map, click on a mark and you will see a link in the details. Hopefully I see a lot more sights to share them with you.

I have read that doing the Loop is at times a thousand smiles an hour trip causing you to continually reach for your camera.  And other times the only thing that seems to change is your thoughts.  I have experienced both scenarios (I try not to overdo it with the photos, but sometimes it's hard to hold back).  Other times I think "I am going to be in the ocean or bay for the next 6 hours, it could be a long day". But before I know it 4 or 5 hours have passed. I guess it is a good thing I have a lot of changing thoughts to keep myself entertained.

Personally I have learned so much. It has been well work the trip.  I have learned to operate this boat that was a little intimidating when I started the trip.  I learned about working with tides and currents. I learned to chart how to plot a course that saves time and, when possible, takes advantage of the current flow.  I learned that fog is something to be respected, but it doesn't need to make you turn around.  I learned to navigate the busy NY Harbor.  I have met so many great people and tried to learn a little from each of them. I have traveled approximately 1,039 miles on the water (not including the two times I missed a turn).  I ran aground twice and was able to get myself out.  I have dealt with problems (read "Wow what a day"), had some great personal accomplishments, and been humbled by the sight of the Statue of Liberty at night.

I guess I have always felt the need to be on the move, to experience new things.  I think it must have been instilled in me as a child growing up as part of an Air Force family.  I recall when we came to Kentucky to visit with cousins, they would sometimes ask: "How can you stand to move every 3 or 4 years?"  I loved it.  I guess the life we live is what feels normal to us.  We just moved, we never thought it was hard (at least I didn't, but then I didn't have to worry about all the things involved in moving), it was normal. We made new friends, found new playgrounds, and moved on.  I still look forward to most new adventures and this is no exception. Thanks Mom and Dad.

I was lucky enough to marry someone who allows my hobbies, (motorcycles, cave exploring, scuba diving, flying, and now sailing).  Theresa has always been supportive, in a cheering section sort of way, she doesn't want necessarily want to participate.  But she is there for me, as she says she gives me moral support.  Willing to go to Florida with me so I can dive.  Willing to spend a week with me on the boat, while at the marina.  Thank you Theresa and Happy Birthday.

Some people find their escape in books (like Theresa), but for me it's always been music.  I have been able to put my "boat songs" play list (295 songs) on shuffle and listen for days without hearing a repeat. With some songs, I listen to the lyrics and start to figure out how I can be there.  The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, Howard Livingston, Eric Stone, Kelly McGuire, The Boat Drunks and so many others who sing about sailing their boats have inspired me (and continue to).  So as Kelly McGuire says in his song Blame it on Buffet (and a bunch of others).

Lesson Learned:
Always be Humble and Kind.