Looper Archives — Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada

Fun Times, Good Friends – Fort Myers, Florida

Lisa Favors — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 19:20:44 +0000

Kismet Secure at Legacy Harbor Marina, Fort Myers

We planned our winter trip to include a month-long stay at Legacy Harbour Marina in Fort Myers. Many of our Looper friends stay in this area during the winter months, some of them at this marina. We find that boating is like that, we bump into Loopers or boaters we know everywhere we go– planned or not. We did parts of our second Loop with buddy boats, Bella Luna and C-Life. We know other Loopers docked here from being involved with AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association). In the past, when in Fort Myers, we’ve always stayed at Fort Myers Yacht Basin, but this year we wanted to be where our friends were even though the Yacht Basin is only a few blocks away.

When we arrived at Legacy, we were given a couple of choices for dockage. We chose the dock in front of Joe’s Crab Shack. It was the perfect spot for Kismet for the month of March. Let the festivities begin!

The marina staff had some high standards for running the marina. We enjoyed getting to know the whole crew during our stay.

Tom and Patsy Conrad were in their slip on A Dock. We haven’t seen them since the last AGLCA Rendezvous we attended.

Every Thursday there is a great Farmer’s Market under the bridge just a few blocks from the marina. Great spot for a market because in inclement weather the farmers are well-protected from the elements. This is a great place to pick up some fresh, Florida produce, flowers, herbs, plants, fresh fish and shellfish, and even some microgreens (above and below).

Our friend, Louis, on Bella Luna (above), made a habit of giving his female boater friends blossoms off the gardenia plant he got at the market. Such a gentleman!

Needless to say, we ate well during our stay in Fort Myers including a day trip over the river to Cactus Jack. Louis, Diane, Robert, and Kay (below) made the excursion lots of fun.

Fort Myers’ Bike Night is lots of fun! Thousands of bikes, of every conceivable shape, color, and size, show up, once a month, for a spectacular party. Two or three bands keep the place hopping and if you want to buy a biker outfit, there are many vendors that will help you out.

And then there were the parties on the deck of the marina or Tiki Hut. We attended them all during the month of March. Starting with the marina’s Boater Appreciation Party (below).

Mike (above) is checking hands during the Dinghy Poker Run.

Hometown friends, Mike and Lynne, joined us in Fort Myers for a week. No, they didn’t stay on our boat, they rented a room close by. Our first boat trip with them was across the river to St. James City and the Waterfront restaurant on Pine Island. It was a rough ride over and docking on the waterside of the restaurant was a little challenging. It was a fun trip.

While Mike and Lynne were still here we visited Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery. The staff provides a good tour and taste testing of some of their products.

Some of the women spent an afternoon shopping and having lunch, at Ichiban’s downtown. I have become addicted to their Hot and Sour Soup.

Jim and I went to soup at Ichiban’s another day and look at our fortune cookies! Spot on!

McGregor’s Pizza was a favorite spot for pizza and calzones. They only have two tables in there, but we made it work many a time. EXCELLENT CALZONES!

Afternoon lunch (above) at Brad and Patti’s condo in Cape Coral, yes, it does seem we do everything in groups.

Another party at the marina! This time a small group of boaters had a Marina Appreciation Party. Louis, Diane, Butch, Kelle, Kay, and Robert (below) planned a festive and delicious feast to honor the marina staff. The party included live music to dance to.

Diane, Patsy, and Lisa (above). Diane, Kelle, and Kay (below).

Louis’ favorite local BBQ pit catered the party.

Claudia (above, second from left), brought Jell-O shots. Bottom’s Up! Thanks, Claudia!

This is how you have a party for eight on Kismet. Brunch is served with arepas and fresh fruit.

Near the end of our stay, a group of us went downtown to hang out at the top of Ford’s Garage. Great view of the river and downtown up there even a live band.

One last Happy Hour on True North, Tom and Patsy’s boat.

Near the end of our stay, fellow tug nuts, Cheryl and Rich, on Roam and Jess and Mike, on Illusions (below) came to visit at Legacy.

Across the river from the marina is this beautiful anchorage. We came to anchor at this spot a few times to get away from the commotion at the marina. So when our month’s time was up at Legacy, we came over here for one last night on the hook. First time I had ever seen an anhinga bird. He sat in a nearby tree for a long time until sunset came.

The post Fun Times, Good Friends – Fort Myers, Florida appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Great Loop Adventure – Loopers Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park

Lisa Favors — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:56:58 +0000

Great Loop Adventure!

The Great Loop Adventure! We packed up our boat and truck and headed down the highway to Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama for AGLCA’s 2014 Fall Rendezvous (AGLCA). Jim and I have been Loopers for almost ten years (we have done the Loop almost twice). The excitement and camaraderie we feel when out on the water cruising new territory, meeting other Loopers in far-off ports, and especially while connecting at one of the rendezvous, or Gold Looper Reunions, never gets old, in fact, it sustains us as cruisers.

We laughed, we played, we shared boating stories, we sang and enjoyed music, and we exchanged information on favorite anchorages, marinas, boat maintenance, and galley provisioning. Seminar speakers help current Loopers prepare to navigate the stretch ahead. Jim gave two presentations at the rendezvous, The Gulf Coast of Florida and St Johns River. With many helpful sponsors in attendance, the resources available to current and future Loopers are huge.

One of the fun times at the rendezvous is the dinghy race. A two-person blindfolded competition to complete a short route around a marker… backward.. with the captain blindfolded. The navigator sits behind the captain giving verbal commands to guide the captain around the marker and back to the dock. If you’ve never seen this drill before, we must tell you how hilarious it is… for those on the dock!

Although We Are Not Currently Loopers, We Will Always be Loopers at Heart!

One of our highlights when arriving at Joe Wheeler for the event is the jar of pickles delivered to our boat by fellow Ranger Tug owners Pookie and Evan, on Pookie II (above and below). The best pickles we’ve tasted. Thanks again Evan and Pookie, glad we got to visit a little more this time.

Thinking of Cruising the Great Loop Adventure?

One of the first things to consider doing is joining America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA). Completing the Great Loop boat trip is a big accomplishment for any boater, experienced or not. We have completed the trip 1.75 times, in different boats. One of the first things we did just before leaving our home port of Charlevoix, MI, on our first Loop trip, was to become members of AGLCA. We fondly remember the first boat we saw sporting the club’s distinctive burgee while staying at Burnham Harbor in Chicago. We could hardly contain our excitement as we dinghied over to Evelyn J. to introduce ourselves as fellow Loopers. The friendship made that day, along with all the other Looper relationships we made during our Looping trips, is the most valuable part of our approx. 6,000-mile trip… and it all started with that beautiful white AGLCA burgee.

We learned a lot during the years we lived on our boat doing the Loop. You don’t have to know it all before you leave that which is familiar. The beauty of doing the Loop is in the ongoing learning process; if you’re from the Great Lakes, you’ve never dealt with tides and saltwater issues; if you’ve boated in the Great Lakes you may not have much experience with locks. By the time you close your Loop, you’ll be a seasoned boater and confident in your skills. We all have to start somewhere. Sure there will always be people that should not be boating… ever, but we would never discourage anyone who is working toward a challenge and seeking adventure. The important thing to remember, when contemplating a commitment to cruising the 6,000-mile route, is that it doesn’t matter what skills you possess or lack – but do ask yourself a few questions… do you enjoy all aspects of boating and navigating and how big is your desire to take on such an adventure. The beauty of AGLCA is that it creates and brings together a living network of boaters; all willing to help one another along the way. The club burgee is an instant introduction to new friends and future cohorts in one of America’s greatest boating adventures. A new Looper will meet other Loopers currently on the trip by recognizing the club burgee and attending one or more rendezvous., they’ll find support and camaraderie as they all negotiate their way around the Loop. They’ll even bump into “Gold Loopers,” (the gold AGLCA burgee signifies the completion of the Loop) at various ports on the route as those boaters proudly display that gold burgee as a reminder of the accomplishment they have achieved. Gold Loopers love to share information with “newbies” about routes, hazards, and local information; they are a valuable resource for Loopers and boaters alike.

The AGLCA twice-yearly rendezvous helps a current or future Looper in many ways. The Fall Rendezvous will cover navigation and particulars from Alabama to Norfolk, the Spring Rendezvous will cover Norfolk to Alabama. Some people attend these events early in their planning to see what the trip is all about. Current Loopers attend to learn more about the new cruising grounds in front of them along with a chance to stop and celebrate their ongoing accomplishments with their new boating buddies. Another valuable benefit of joining AGLCA is the Daily Digest (a Looper forum), which includes Tom Conrad’s valuable “Weather Musings,” focusing on the weather windows for crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Questions are asked and answered on the forum much like any other forum, only focusing solely on the Great Loop boat trip. Seasoned Gold or Platinum Loopers and experienced high-profile boaters give sessions on everything to do with Looping, navigation, boating, maintenance, etc. They provide an excellent resource for anything related to the Loop. AGLCA brings it all together.

If you have not had the experience of being part of the club, it would be hard to grasp the significance and value gained. You can’t put a price on it, we know Loopers who feel their Gold burgee is a badge of honor, having accomplished and completed an adventure of a lifetime. Sure you could do the Loop on your own, but it seems to us that it would lack some of the richness of the experiences we’ve outlined above. Joining AGLCA and experiencing the Great Loop adventure was one of the most stimulating and adventurous things we have ever done as a couple and it positively changed our lives for the better.

Jim and Lisa Favors

The post Great Loop Adventure – Loopers Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

2012 Third Annual Looper “Sunset Celebration”

Lisa Favors — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:45:40 +0000

The 2012 Third Annual Looper “Sunset Celebration” was a huge success with over 120 in attendance. It was a little windy (not a problem for Loopers) – lots of good food was shared along with a chance to reacquaint ourselves with old friends. Thanks, Patricia & George Hospodar for organizing the event and providing Loopers in the area with an opportunity for this fun reunion.

The post 2012 Third Annual Looper “Sunset Celebration” appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Arriving at Harbour Cay Club

Lisa Favors — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:01:05 +0000

We are ultimately on our way to Key West but we’re stopping in Marathon for a week to visit with a group of Looper friends who are staying at Sombrero Dockside. Last year when we brought a friend’s boat down to Key West for him we found out about this little boat club on the Florida Bay side of the island, we stayed a few days and really liked it. So, back in January, we checked into the possibility of securing a slip for a week in late February. Our chances looked good since a few members would be traveling which would leave a few slips available.

This tiki hut is called “The Cone of Knowledge” by the residents of this little boat club. Within minutes of docking, the welcoming committee made sure to inform us of the daily tradition of cocktails and conversation at 4 o’clock under the hut.

My friend Diane pointed out this pod (above-right) on a banana tree over by Sombrero Dockside. I’ve never seen how bananas look as they grow on a tree. This flower-type pod is called a banana heart. Fascinating!

Wish we had a photo of all the boaters in the club who welcomed us into our slip. Unfortunately, we were too busy tying up to have taken one but we have to tell you the owners of this club are a friendly group of boaters.

Jim looks like he’s losing at Domino tonight.

Harbour Cay Club has one of the nicest boater’s lounges we’ve ever been to. very comfortable with a full kitchen. I imagine they have some great parties here.

The post Arriving at Harbour Cay Club appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Fun Times in Fort Myers, Florida

Lisa Favors — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:26:58 +0000

Kismet was dwarfed by two larger boats in the Fort Myers Yacht Basin Marina. This is a fun spot to spend a few days or more. The downtown is vibrant with more shops than ever. It’s a quick walk to the grocery store from the marina and they have a Joe’s Crab Shack just a few blocks away. To top it off there is a great farmer’s market under the bridge every Thursday.

As it turned out we ran into another Looper, docked right next to Kismet, we’d recently met John & Kay on Admiral’s Choice at the 2011 Fall AGLCA Rendezvous. It sure is a small world when you are boating.

We met up with good friends, and fellow AGLCA Advisory members, Tom and Patsy Conrad. Cocktails on True North with dinner out one night and fresh donuts on Kismet the next morning.

We also met boaters, Tom and Karen, Oaseas, when they were walking on the dock in front of our boat. An instant rapport developed – we were up way past our bedtime talking on the back deck of the boat, just like old friends.

The post Fun Times in Fort Myers, Florida appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.