We'll, I am finally getting back to our blog. We have had a great summer!  Spent three weeks on the road in June seeing our oldest daughter, Amy, who was working in New Hampshire and seeing the beautiful New England area. It was our first trip that did not have a set ending.  We just went where we wanted, stopped when we wanted and had a very relaxing time. Ended our trip with a few days in Niagra Falls before heading home.

Once home, we have started getting the boat ready. We spent July getting all new electronics installed -- ours came with the boat and needed upgrading.  Now we are "high tech"!!  Just have to learn how to use it all..haha!

We spent a week in October at Wheeler State Park at The Great Looper Association's fall rendezvous. Met some great people and learned a lot of good information about the Loop and things to do along the way.  We now have several new friends we are keeping up with as they start their journey. Hope to catch up with them somewhere along the way.

This past week we upgraded the galley. I got a beautiful new sink that will actually hold dishes. We also installed a seagull water purification system and a new sprayer. I am enjoying it all!



This week we plan to remove the couch that was added in our salon, paint as needed, and get things ready for new carpet. The floors had to be cut up by the previous owners to install new fuel tanks. The only affordable option is to re-carpet. So, the first week in December, we are hauling out the boat for a bottom job and they will install it then. Our new chairs are in and I cannot wait to have them delivered. Nothing like having a comfortable place to sit. The one thing I miss about home!

I guess this catches up our summer activities. We even threw in a surprise 60th birthday party for Hoppy in September.  I hope to try keeping up as we finish our plans for our trip. Tentative plan is to head out in April. We are getting excited and may have to leave sooner :)

Until next time, hope everyone is enjoying their travels!

First weeks of Retirement

Well, we have been on the boat since April 12th. So far, so good!  We provisioned the boat, Hoppy washed it, added water and we filled up with fuel. Off to Ingram's Bayou...

We stayed at anchor there for ten days...relaxing, dinking and enjoying the nice weather.   It was windy and sometimes cool, but we only had rain one day. Took a long dingy ride over to Pirate's Cove for burgers and bushwhackers. It was a great Wednesday afternoon.

After that, we went to the cove and anchored out. We could see the Pensacola lighthouse in the distance. After two nights there, we motored back to the marina. Tents we're going up and boats staging for the big Boat Show. We went to the Red Carpet opening and then took a boat ferry to Saunders for their customer appreciation party.  Food and company was excellent!

After a weekend of boats, antique cars and friends, we settled back in to a routine. We think we can do this!!  Of course, Hoppy is still getting use to not having a job.

We plan to head to Baton Rouge tomorrow to check on our house and celebrate our youngest daughter, Lauren, on Saturday. Happy 29th Birthday, Lauren!

Hope to add more soon. This journey is just beginning!

March 9, 2013

So, we are setting up our blog, changing our emails and getting ready to start the next adventure of our life. Cruising!  Hope you come along with Hoppy and I as we cruise the coast on our Marine Trader 38, Kristin Noelle!  --Tricia