A retired couple from the midwest set off sailing the Loop in June 2016. They travel about 2400 miles on a 1999 Hunter 260 sailboat, "GH3". Beginning Jan. 2017, they continue the journey on their newly purchased 2008 Catalina 320 MK II sailboat.
We successfully transited all 208 miles of the Trent Severn Waterway. Once through the Big Chute Railway - we were quickly in Lake Huron / Georgian Bay.
"I say goodbye to all my sorrows And by tomorrow I'll be on my way. I guess the Lord must be in New York City." Lyrics to The Lord must live in New York City, Harry Nilsson
"Grandparent doesn't mean that you have gray hair and stay home cooking cakes for your grandchildren." Carine Roitfeld
Tom and Tracy have the great good fortune to not only have four grandchildren but have the opportunity to have spent time with three of them on their sailboat. After seeing a picture of two grandchildren with them on part of The Loop on Facebook, their friend Thorsten said, "I have been proud of you (for doing the Loop), but now I am jealous (of having grandchildren along)."
THE PAST: In June of 2016, Tom and Tracy's oldest grandchild, Will, spent a memorable week with them on their sailboat on Lake Michigan. His favorite memory is hiking on Power Island in Grand Traverse Bay with Grandma and Grandpa.
Will with Grandma in June - 2016 in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan
THE FUTURE: In June of 2017, arrival of their fourth grandchild was cause for much happiness and hope that she too will sail with them one day.
Amelia with Grandma
Amelia with Grandpa
THE PRESENT: In June of 2017, Cole and Abby spent several days on Bucket List with Grandma and Grandpa on The Hudson River and The Erie Canal.
THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A LOT TO DO ON A SAILBOAT!
Kid Captain watching a train.
Cole and Abby on Duty
Airplane on The Hudson (getting ready to take off ... )
Kid Captain at the wheel of Bucket List
Canal Princess reporting as Ordered
Canal Princess taking a well deserved break
HOW SPECIAL TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY ON A SAILBOAT!
An actual video of the Cake Making Process on Bucket List ...
Cole and Abby making her YEAR 5 Birthday Cake!!!
Abby's cake in Bucket List oven. Note - our Previous boat GH3 did NOT have an oven. This IS special!
And the final result ... Making a birthday wish!
THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN ON A SAILBOAT!
Like seeing a lock and learning how it works. We took a walk up to the first lock to see what we could learn about how it works and what it does.
Erie Canal Lock #2
Erie Canal Diversion Channel
Erie Canal Lock Controls - These controls must be 50 years old at least ... but they still work!
Erie Canal Lock Filling
THEN WE TRAVELLED THOUGH A SERIES OF LOCKS.
Now we understand that a lock uses water to act like an elevator lifting or lowering boats.
Entering an Erie Canal Lock.
HOW SPECIAL JUST TO BE TOGETHER ON A SAILBOAT WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE!
Grandma and Cole
Grandma and Abby
Cole and Abby with Grandma
Bucket List Crew
Grandpa with Cole and Abby
IT SEEMS THAT ALL GOOD THINGS MUST END.
Abby and Cole were happy to be back home with their parents and their brother.