Ludington is a great city to visit via boat. A protected harbor leads to a clean municipal marina by a park and a couple of blocks from the vibrant downtown. There is also a nice maritime museum and ... the coolest ferry I've ever seen!

The S.S. Badger ferries cars across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. She is a National Historic Landmark (the only one that moves) and the last remaining coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the U.S.

https://www.ssbadger.com/the-legacy/

#boating #michigan #greatloop

So we're getting really close to selling DitchRider and looking for our loop boat.

We love DitchRider. but those 8.1 liter crusaders are much too thirsty.

I'll never own another gas powered boat, but I would totally get another Gibson ... with diesels.

#Boats
#Boating
#Greatloop

Manchester, Hew Hampshire's Jeff Lavoie and Shannon Gable will embark on the Great Loop.

Only about 200 boats complete it each year.

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-couple-embarks-on-the-great-loop/43798903

#Greatloop
#BoatingCommunity
#Boating

Ahoy there!

Welcome aboard GreatLoop.Social, the Mastodon server for boaters who are passionate about exploring the Great Loop.

The waterway spans over 6,000 miles & connects the eastern United States and Canada through a series of rivers, canals, and waterways.

Whether you're planning to cruise the Loop someday or just intrigued by the journey, join us!

We're excited to hear your stories and share the incredible adventure.

#GreatLoop #BoatingCommunity #ExploreTheWaterways
#NewInstance

As my wonderful spouse and I get closer to embracing digital-nomadship and contemplating a big downsizing I struggle with parting with my library of real books.

Some I will never give up, like my collection of signed proof and author copies of news and journalism books.

We're planning on doing the #GreatLoop, some #RV #RoadLife and search for the perfect retirement spot and I just can't keep them all.

#books

And I’ve just crossed into state number 12 of my journey. Hello, #Virginia! #boating #DoItNow #Virginia #GreatLoop

Under way again on the Dismal Canal. This has been one of my favorite parts of the trip. I think being here before the start of biting bug season has a lot to do with that. #boating #DoItNow #GreatLoop #NorthCarolina

Here’s how you park 7 boats in 3 spots. #drone shot

#boating #DoItNow #GreatLoop

If you thought I'd given up on my #GreatLoop #boating blog, you'd be wrong! I finally finished another blog post, this one about Clearwater Beach, FL.

https://mygreatloopadventure.com/2023/04/at-clearwater-beach/

Tomorrow is the day I leave Oriental, NC. I've been here since March 30 and finished my business early on April 8. Unfortunately, weather came in and has kept me here. But I'm leaving tomorrow, rain, wind, or worse. This is the longest I've been on the boat in any one place and I'm ready to move on.

Next stop: Bellhaven, NC.

#boating #GreatLoop #DoItNow

After eight consecutive days hurrying my morning routine to get to class — by bicycle (!) — by 8 AM, it feels great to lounge in bed with my coffee and my pups, catching up on Mastodon and email while rain quietly patters on my roof. #boating #GreatLoop #DoItNow

Good thing I'm on a boat, eh?

100% chance of rain Saturday and Saturday night? 1-2 inches of rain? "Breezy" -- when the wind is already gusting to at least 25?

#boating #GreatLoop #weather

Another #boating blog post about my #GreatLoop trip on #DoItNow:

https://mygreatloopadventure.com/2023/03/tarpon-springs-to-clearwater-beach/

I blogged about the different #autopilot modes/features available in most modern cruising #boats including mine. You can find it here: https://mygreatloopadventure.com/2023/03/autopilot-modes-explained/

#boating #GreatLoop #DoItNow

I’m under way again this morning, cruising from Morehead City to New Bern, NC. You can track me here: https://trackme.nebo.global/?link=1XGMC2SYABRRI1RLVRNR1KP9RM5 No need to download an app or set up an account. It should work in a Web browser. #boating #DoItNow #GreatLoop

This gorgeous boat was parked behind me at the last two marinas I stayed at. He just pulled out to continue his trip home. The boat is new to the owner and he went with two friends to pick it up in Myrtle Beach, SC and bring it to his country club in Virginia. I have an invite to stay there when I get that far north and am considering it. Nice guys. #boating #GreatLoop

This storm is bad enough that I felt compelled to check my emergency notification settings. Glad to see the Tornado warning near Myrtle Beach (south of me) expired.

I’m secured to a dock with three lines and the marina is enclosed on four sides with just a narrow channel to get out but the boat is still rocking. So glad I picked this place to wait out weather than the more exposed marinas farther up the ICW. #boating #GreatLoop

Well, it doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere anytime soon.

#boating #DoItNow #GreatLoop

This morning's travel planning challenge: find a marina along tomorrow's route that's open on Sunday with has diesel fuel for less than $5/gallon and a pumpout at the fuel dock and doesn't charge a "convenience fee" for the use of a credit card.

#boating #GreatLoop #DoItNow

Note to businesses: Customers are not stupid. Your credit card surcharge is just a way to get people to pay cash that you can hide from the taxman and penalize the rest of us for not carrying hundreds of dollars in cash.

Today’s #evening #sunset #photo: watching the sun set over the Cape Fear River from the command bridge of my boat, safely tucked away at Carolina Beach State Park in North Carolina. #DoItNow #boating #GreatLoop