Honey... we're home

We left Cleveland Friday morning and headed for Geneva on the Lake, Ohio. The lake swells were not much fun, but it wasn't the worst we had been in. We have been here several times, so we showed Chuck and Cheryl from Pilot Lounge around. They have a nice beach not to far from the marina and the town is about a 10 minute walk. The town wasn't as crowded as we usually see it (we are usually there in July) and with school starting most vacations are probably over.
The weather forecast for the weekend was superb and Chuck contacted some of the M dock boaters to let them know we would be at Sunset Bay Saturday for the 2 for 1 prime rib special. The ride from Geneva on the Lake to Sunset was beautiful! The lake was flat most of the 105 miles. We had a great time catching up with our fellow dock mates Knot Crazy, Mulva III, What is your name (aka Summertime, Fierly 2???) no one can ever remember what they named their boat and Pilot Lounge.
Sunday we hung out at the beach until it was time to make the last leg and go home to M dock, Safe Harbor Marina, Buffalo NY. It was a bittersweet homecoming. We are so glad to see our friends but also sad that our trip has come to an end.
The biggest question people have been asking is - Would you do it again? Yes, yes, yes! We wished we didn't have to split up from the loopers at Mackinac Island. It would have been so easy to just follow them into Lake Michigan and continue on the loop.
What did you like the most? This is such a hard question to answer because we enjoyed so many things, for so many different reasons. Mark and I decided what we liked best was experiencing all of these new places with other people that had never done it before either. There was such a positive energy and we just loved being a part of it. Looping becomes contagious and we know we will take the time to finish the loop at some point.
How was it living with each other 24/7? Funny because this is one of the things most of the women I met with worried about. But once they started the loop it was easy. It is so easy to live with people who are happy and virtually stress free.
What did you dislike the most? Internet and cell phone service in Canada. This was especially hard because I could not communicate with my family and friends other than text and email. The cell phone plans are very expensive and half the time it didn't work anyway.
Best town/island? Mackinac Island
Best anchorage? This is a tie between The Benjamin's and The Pool at Baie Fine.
What would I do differently? I would bring kayaks and bikes to get around.
How far did you travel? We went 1,764 miles, traveling in 4 of the Great Lakes and inland lakes and rivers in the Trent Severn Waterway.
All in all it was a great trip and I am so happy that I could "live the dream" with my husband! We will see what adventure we can cook up next, until then safe travels!

August Statistics:
Miles Traveled: 756   Trip to date / 1764
Travel Days:      14 / 50
Days on hook or free wall: 3/25
Engine hours:    52 / 200
Gallons of diesel: 750 / 1253

Leaving Cleveland behind.

Loving Lake Erie when there isn't any wind!

Anchored with some of our dock mates from M Dock.

 

We are almost home, just a few more miles.

Our dock mates are the best!

Honey....we're home.

Bucket list - Northern section of the Great Loop - check.