Videos

First is a selection of videos related to our Great Loop Journey. We started out making videos of each segment of our journey. This was too much work so we decided to just include the highlights and they will likely lag behind the blog.

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• We dropped the boat

  • Today we launch our boat by dropping it in the water in Beacon Bay Marina, Penetanguishene, Ontario. This is the first step in our Great Loop adventure!!

• Episode 1 - We Cut Our Lines!

  • This covers day 1 to 3 of our journey from Penetanguishene, Ontario to Three Finger Bay in the Massassauga.

• Episode 2 - Shawanaga River to the Colins Inlet

  • This covers our trip from Three Finger Bay, to the Shawanaga River and Falls, to Britt in the Byng Inlet, through Point au Baril Inlet, to Beaverstone Bay, through the Colins Inlet to Mill Lake and then completing the Colins Inlet.

• Episode 3 - Getting Lost in Killarney

  • Heather takes us on a tour of Kiillarney by water followed by a tour through Killarney Mountain Lodge and the Lighthouse trail!

• Episode 4 - Where is Heather's Cove?

  • This video takes us from our departure in Killarney through to Fraser Bay and our approach to Heather's Cove.

• Episode 5 - More than Fine in Baie Fine

  • Follow along with us as we visit Okeechobee Lodge (not in Florida but in the North Channel), and travel through the beautiful Baie Fine and The Pool within the North Channel. These destinations are all within the Great Loop journey and are fantastic places to stop for a visit on your own loop!

• Episode 6 - A Car in the Water!

  • The town of Leland was a pleasant surprise with Fishtown, a waterfall, a beach, and a floating car! Now we’ve seen everything!

• Episode 7 - Ship Barely Fits Through the River!

  • Linked from our Conquering Lake Michigan blog. The Calumet clears the lift bridge and inches her way down the Manistee River toward Lake Michigan. A HUGE ship on a tiny river!

• Episode 8 - Crossing Lake Michigan

  • In this video we make the trek across Lake Michigan to Chicago from St. Joseph, Mi. This was a big deal for us which turned out to be fun and fairly simple. So exciting coming to Chicago!!

• Episode 9 - We made it under the bridge!

  • We wanted to take our boat through the Chicago downtown which meant removing radar, anchor light, and more. See us going under those tight bridges and doing locks.

• Episode 10 - Tied to rebar on an old lock wall

  • This relatively short video takes viewers on our adventures starting at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa, Illinois, down through the the Starved Rock Lock where we stay tied to an old lock wall in Henry, Il before continuing on the next day for Peoria, Illinois.

• Episode 11 - We Pass the St. Louis Arch

  • In this video we depart the Alton Marina and head south on the Mississippi, passing through St. Louis and the famous arch, and end up in Kimmswick, Missouri at Hoppies Marina. Fellow Loopers were kind enough to photograph each other as they pass in front of the arch. Lots of fun!

• Episode 12 - Swallow Bluff Island Anchorage

  • On the Tennessee River, this is a beautiful anchorage just south of Clifton, Tennessee. Good depth and the current keeps you nice and straight without the need for a stern anchor.

• Episode 13 - Chattanooga here we come!

  • In October, 2022, we drifted away from our Great Loop to take a side trip from Counce, TN to Chattanooga, TN. This video is a compilation of our trip through this beautiful river to help other loopers consider taking this fantastic side trip!

• Episode 14 - Locking Down

  • Are we talking about the pandemic? No! We are talking about locking down the many locks on the TenTom River from Iuka, Mississippi to Mobile, Alabama. This video takes us from Iuka through to Demopolis. Come along for the ride!

• Episode 15 - Locking Down Part 2

  • If you watched our video where we take you from Iuka to Demopolis, this is the second and final video of our Tenn Tom voyage which shows our trip from Demopolis down through to Mobile Bay and into the GICW (Gulf Intracoastal Waterway). Watch as we review a few anchorages and share our experiences on this fantastic waterway!

• Episode 16 - Free Docks and Tripped Breakers

  • This video runs through some trouble shooting and rewiring of our electrical panel before we move from Orange Beach and along the GICW to Fort Walton Beach where we use the free dock (don't forget to call the police department if you want to use this dock).

• Episode 17 - Fort Walton to Pearl Bayou in the FOG!

  • In this video we travel in dense fog from Fort Walton, through Choctawhatchee Bay, across the Grand Canyon and along the GICW stopping for the night in Pearl Bayou, a beautiful anchorage along our route! Such a peaceful anchorage.

• Episode 18 - How to pick up a Mooring Ball​

  • ​Recently a looping friend saw we were on a Mooring Ball and asked how best to pick one up, so we decided to make a video about it to share with our peer loopers who were new to the experience.

• Episode 19 - Why We Aborted Our First Gulf Crossing Attempt

  • Today we leave off from our last video and travel from Pearl Bayou onward to Apalachicola, Florida and make a foiled attempt at an overnight Gulf crossing.

• Episode 20 - Apalachicola to Carrabelle

  • In this video, following our initial abort of our Gulf crossing, we move from Apalachicola to Carrabelle and wait for good weather. There are some fun things to do in Carrabelle but hopefully, your weather window comes sooner than ours did!

• Episode 21 - Crossing the Gulf of Mexico

  • Well, this time we did it. We crossed the Gulf. Not without some drama, and some fun too!

• Episode 22 - We made it across the Gulf… Now what? And… good bye to our friends.

  • In this video, we say farewell to our friends on Off Leash who were with us for over 1,500 nautical miles of our trip. We started travelling with them in Lake Michigan and parted ways in Clearwater, Florida. However, we went on to meet up with long time family friends in Anna Maria Island to enjoy some time with them at their Florida home. What a nice place to tie up the boat for our time at home over Christmas!

• Episode 23 - We Cross under a broken bridge and on into the Devastation left by Hurricane Ian

  • In this video, we move from Sarasota after some repairs and a false start, and continue down through the GICW toward the Caloosahatchee River and into Ft. Myers.

• Episode 24 - Manatees and Alligators Oh My! Locking Through Okeechobee!!

  • In this video, we are joined by family friends as we leave Ft Myers, cross through the Okeechobee waterway and end our trip in Stuart. Come along and enjoy the ride where we hunt for Manatees and Alligators! Were we successful??

• Episode 25 - Cruising the ICW in our dinghy during our travels from Stuart - Miami

  • This video covers our travels from Stuart through to Miami, Florida down the AICW as we stage for our crossing to the Bahamas. We anchor in Lake Boca (watch the entrance carefully on the charts), Lake Sylvia, and ultimately secure to a dock in Miami at Vice City Marina. From Miami, we depart for Bahamas for a few months. Our next video will start in Stuart and head north on the AICW. We will upload the Bahamas videos later on.

• Episode 26 - Our neighbor's boat SANK!! Winds were Gale Force!!

  • This video takes us from Stuart - Hammock Beach with a couple stops along the way including Fort Pierce and Titusville. In Titusville we experienced gale force winds out of the east and two vessels sank in the marina!

• Episode 27 - Our time in Florida comes to an end...

  • This video covers our trip from Hammock Beach through St. Augustine and on up to Fernandina beach. We take in the sights while in St. Augustine and catch up with looping friends. Then, we head up to Fernandina Beach where we pick up a great price on fuel to continue our voyage north.

• Episode 28 - Gusts to 40 knots at Jekyll Island!

  • This video covers our travels from Fernandina Beach up the coast through Jekyll Island, Cumberland Island and on to Kilkenny. We cross several sounds within this segment as we head up the coast and lots of shallow water. During our stay at Jekyll Island, we had sustained winds in excess of 30 knots and gusts that exceeded 40 knots! Certainly a good day to be on the dock. although the exposure to the elements was still significant!​

• Episode 29 - We've been to the Gates of Hell... and Survived!

  • In this video, we take Sea Clef from Kilkenny Marina through Isle of Hope and onward to Hilton Head Island and the Sea Pines Plantation! Our trip includes the dreaded Hell Gate passage, but for us... we survived!​

• Episode 30 - Fifty Knot Winds on our trip to Charleston

  • ​​In this video, we travel from Hilton Head Island to Charleston and upon arrival, face a severe thunderstorm with winds in excess of 50 knots! Come along with us as we continue up the AICW toward Norfolk, Virginia!

• Episode 31 - We cross into our 11th state on our GREAT LOOP!​

  • Today's video has us beginning our travels in Charleston, South Carolina after weathering a violent storm of 50+ knot winds, and heading further up the coast and into South Carolina, ending our two days of travel in Southport, South Carolina. This is our 11th state thus far on our fantastic Great Loop journey!

• ​Episode 32 - We lost an engine

  • In this video, we cover two travel days, but in fact it was longer due to an unfortunate circumstance we faced with our startboard engine. Our travels continue to take us north on the AICW departing from Southport, North Carolina and arriving in Oriental, North Carolina, with a planned stop at an anchorage that ultimately wound up being at a marina in Sneads Ferry along the way.

• Episode 33 - A Bumpy Ride on the Alligator
  • In this video, we cover two travel days. We depart Oriental and head up the Neuss River before cutting inland up to Rose Bay where we cross to arrive at our Day 1 destination of Belhaven, North Carolina. On our second day of travel, we go through the Pungo River, and the Alligator River to our day two destination of the Alligator River Marina.
• Episode 34 - Crossing the Albemarle Sound! Watch out for Crab Pots!
  • Today's video is a short one as it covers our travels from Alligator River Marina, across the sound and on into Elizabeth City, a lovely town just north of the Albemarle. We encountered quite a few crab pots on our way across, that's for sure!
• Episode 35 - Holding position... for 2 hours!.. on our way from Elizabeth City to Norfolk
  • In this video, we make our way from Elizabeth City to Norfolk, Virginia crossing through the Dismal Swamp. Once departing the swamp, we wind up waiting for 3 trains to cross before the bridge was lifted permitting passage. To top it off, the winds were quite high and 17 boats were waiting along with us! The Dismal Swamp is a beautiful body of water and if your draft allows, it's well worth the trip through. Very peaceful, calm, and the scenery is beautiful!
• Episode 36 - Farewell AICW! Hello Chesapeake!
  • Today, we say goodbye to the now familiar AICW and begin traveling the more intimidating Chesapeake Bay. For the most part, we have had relatively easy travel days on our approximately 1000 miles since departing Miami, Florida. We are now heading into open water that is prone to roughing up at a moment’s notice. We are departing today from the huge port of Norfolk, Virginia. The Port of Virginia is the deepest harbor on the US East Coast and is home to the largest naval base in the world. Our travels today were 57.5 nautical miles, departing at 8:10 am, and arriving at Dymer Creek just before 3:30 pm with an average speed of 8 knots.
• Episode 37 - We Learn to Eat Maryland Blue Crab!
  • Today’s travels take us from Dymer Creek, out onto the Chesapeake and north to St. Michael’s. We initially thought we were facing fog when we departed, but unfortunately, it turned out to be smoke from the wildfires in Canada, and while not as bad as places like New York, it was quite unpleasant and we opt’d to don masks to help with our breathing. We found a lovely anchorage in the area of San Domingo Creek, with a very easy dinghy ride into St. Michaels. A super stop!
• Episode 38 - Gusts to 40 knots at Jekyll Island!
  • This video covers our travels from Fernandina Beach up the coast through Jekyll Island, Cumberland Island and on to Kilkenny. We cross several sounds within this segment as we head up the coast and lots of shallow water. During our stay at Jekyll Island, we had sustained winds in excess of 30 knots and gusts that exceeded 40 knots! Certainly a good day to be on the dock. although the exposure to the elements was still significant!
• Episode 39 - Coast Guard Chases Boat away from Bridge!
  • Today’s travels took us from Annapolis and up through the north end of the Chesapeake Bay before arriving at Chesapeake City. After arriving at Chesapeake City, we were shocked to find that it was a very popular destination. It was a Sunday afternoon, and it was filled with boats and people. Also, we were surprised to find that the docking is a bit challenging due to an unseen current that flows below the surface. We did not have any trouble, but they do send over a few dockhands to assist in tying up the boat. Following securing the boat, we headed into town for a bit of a tour!
• Episode 40 - Crossing of the Delaware Bay!!
  • In this video we leave Chesapeake City and traverse the C&D Canal to Delaware City and then on down the sometimes frightening Delaware Bay to Cape May. Much weather planning went into this departure and we hooked up with some new friends from Caribbean Dream!
• Episode 41 - Exciting News on our Journey to New York City!!
  • Today's video covers our travels up the coast of New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean. As many Loopers know, it can be a bit challenging to go on the inside due to depth issues, but it can also be a bit daunting going on the outside. We chose to go up the outside, and waited for a weather window in which to accomplish this. We had an exciting milestone mid-way through the trip which was great fun!
• Episode 42 - Photo opportunity with a beautiful lady!
  • Today’s one day journey takes us through downtown New York harbour, past the Statue of Liberty, and onward up the Hudson River to the Cortlandt Yacht Club. As we approached the Statue of Liberty, we discussed with our buddy boat doing a loop drive-for photo opportunities. The harbour is busy, so it’s important to be aware of traffic and be quick about the photos!
• Episode 43 - The Best Donuts on the Loop!
  • On this video we continue on up the Hudson River, starting at the Cortlandt Yacht Club and making our way north to Kingston, NY where we stayed at the Rondout Yacht Basin. Don't miss seeing where the best donuts on the loop can be bought!!
• Episode 44 - A Stay on the Hudson at Donovan's
  • Our route today took us from Kingston, NY to New Baltimore, NY where we stayed at Donovan’s Shady Harbor. Today’s travels were just 37.1 nautical miles. We departed at 7:54 am and arrived at 1:21 pm, with an average speed of 6.8 knots. We were excited to see a huge (although dead) sturgeon today on our travels!
• Episode 45 - Taking on the Flight of Five on the Erie Canal!
  • Today’s voyage takes us from Donovan’s Shady Harbor in New Baltimore up the Hudson River to Waterford, where we join the Erie Canal and continue on to Scotia, New York. We got a bit of a late start due to the fog, but eventually we are able to get underway. Today was a particularly exciting run of locks today as we brave the “flight of five”. The flight of 5 locks on the Erie Canal in Lockport, New York is essentially a staircase for boats that was constructed to lift (or lower) vessels over the Niagara Escarpment in five stages.
• Episode 46 - 10 more locks on the Erie Canal!! Part 2
  • This is our second video in our Erie Canal Series. In this video we cover our travels through the Erie Canal starting in Scotia, NY (or Schenectady) with a stop in St. Johnsville, before continuing on to Little Falls, NY on a second, relatively short travel day. We traversed 10 locks (the green pins) on this journey. Our second day of travel was very short. We wanted to sight see and do some bicycling in Little Falls, which is a beautiful town.
• Episode 47 - Reaching the Peak of the Erie Canal!
  • Today’s video takes us from Little Falls New York to Sylvan Beach on a 52.8 mile journey that would have us traversing 5 locks in 7 hours and 24 minutes. Interestingly, today we would reach the peak of the lock system before starting to lock downward as we make our way toward Lake Ontario. When we entered from the Hudson River, we locked up a total of 420 ft from Sea Level to the west side of Lock 20, where we reached the summit of the Erie Lock system. It’s all downhill from here… at least until Lake Ontario!
• Episode 48 - Crossing a SMOKEY Oneida Lake!
  • Today’s voyage takes us from Sylvan Beach, across a very smoky Oneida Lake to Brewerton, where will fueled up as it was a good price. Our travels today were 55.3 nautical miles, and it took us 9 hours and 45 minutes to make our way to today’s final destination of the top side of Lock 7. Our averaged speed was just 5.7 mph. We traversed 6 locks today. The smoke as we crossed Lake Oneida was terrible and we were happy to have gotten it out of the way. We might have chosen to wait out the smoke, but the crossing conditions were excellent so we just got it done.
• Episode 49 - Entering Canada in a smoky haze...
  • This video will cover two days of travel as we traverse the last few locks on the Oswego Canal and make our return to Canada. On our first day’s voyage, we depart from the Top of Lock 7 on the Oswego Canal, traversing two locks, before beginning our crossing of Lake Ontario and our return to Canadian waters! We completed our day in Belleville, Ontario and took a few days off at Crate’s Marina to celebrate the Canada Day weekend. After enjoying our time here, we departed for a very short 10.2 nautical mile run from Belleville to Trenton, where we hoped to catch up with our boating friends on Misty Maiden and explore the Trent Severn Waterway with them.
• Episode 50 - Beginning Canada's Trent Severn Waterway!
  • We get our lock pass and traverse the first seven locks of Canada's Trent Severn Waterway.
• Episode 51 - Will Heather Conquer her FEAR of Heights!!!!
  • Today’s video represents two days of travel on the Trent Severn Waterway, starting from the Glen Ross Lock 7 and ending our second day in Hastings, Lock 18. We traversed Percy Reach, Meyers, Hagues Reach, Ranney Falls, Campbellford, Crowes Bay, Healey Falls and Hastings. Our first day we would traverse 5 locks before arriving into Campbellford for the night. Our second day of travel put us on the top side of the Hastings lock by the end of the day. The staff with the Trent Severn are so accommodating and keen to please. What a great experience so far!
• Episode 52 - Reminiscing as our Loop Nears its completion!
  • On today's voyage, we begin to realize that our loop is almost complete and we do some reminiscing on the past year of travels and the many looping friends we have met along our journey. Such a magical time and opportunity in our lives. Our travels today take us from the town of Hastings, Ontario to Peterborough. We arrived into Peterborough early in the afternoon after a nice leisurely cruise in some beautifully calm water. Once in Peterborough, we were joined by guests Paul and Wendy, who would be with us for part of our Trent Severn travels as we made our way northbound from Peterborough. We also got a chance to do a bit of touring of the town and see the Peterborough Lift Lock! How does the lock work?
• Episode 53 - We get lifted in a GIANT BATHTUB!
  • Today’s voyage was 21.8 miles and took us a little over 9 hours to accomplish as we had eight locks to traverse today, which takes time. We departed from Peterborough and headed for Lock 20 to get a good jump on our day. Today’s locks included Ashburnham Lock, the Peterborough Liftlock, Nassau Mills, Otonabee Lock, Douro, Sawyer Creek, Lakefield Lock, and finally Youngs Point lock. The Young’s Point lock was not large enough to hold both of our vessels at the same time, so Misty Maiden went through first followed by us, before we reconnected on the north side of the lock. We found a great anchorage for a nice calm night before we got started the next morning for a long haul day.
• Next Episode - Stay tuned for our next video where we will tackle 6 more locks and travel some beautiful areas of the Trent Severn waterway! COMING SOON!