Transitioning yet again, this time from Trailer Trash to Trawler Trash.

Leaving Texas in our motorhome we managed to take another crooked path that allowed us to visit several friends along the way. We always go out of our way for a visit as friends are one of life's greatest gifts.

Our final leg of America's Great Loop started in Kentucky Lake. Nomadic Spirit weathered the winter just fine and after a few days of cleaning and unpacking we were in the water again. Traveling the Tennessee River and Tombigbee Waterway was change of pace from the previous season. We seldom saw another Looper as we were heading south in the spring instead of the fall. There were no crowded anchorages or issues with slips in marinas. We stopped at all the usual places but docktails were elusive this time of year. One exception was Pickwick Lake where Harbor Host Charlie and Robin McVey went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Seldom slowed down by commercial traffic, we made great time through the locks. When we left Columbus after 2 weeks we were sporting some additional newly striped teak, including the transom. We had planned to sell the boat when we completed the loop and the prospective new owners drove down from Wisconsin for a visit and to check out how Nomadic Spirit weathered the trip.

Once back in Florida we were instantly greeted by dolphins and enjoyed the beautiful shades of the gulf waters. We stopped to visit cruising friends in Pensacola for several days then pushed hard to get to Treasure Island by July 4th. Several places on our list were passed up due to very hot weather and full marinas, it was the opening of scallop season! Not a slip to be found. One memorable night on the way was spent at the Anclote Key Sandbar and another was spent at Caladesi Island State Park.

Dear friends that just purchased a place on Treasure Island joined us for the last day of Our Loop. We stopped in front of our old condo and saw a few old friends, broke out the champagne and posed for pictures. Then we backtracked a mile to Rick and Renee's dock and let Nomadic Spirit have a well deserved rest. It's been wonderful to spend time getting the boat ready for its survey but having the comfort of an air conditioned house to recover in.

A recap of our Great Loop experience will be a seperate blog.