We are right on the edge of beginning our cruising journey aboard our Alberg 35,
Mystic. Originally, we planned to head out the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, through NYC then North to spend the summer in CT with family. Instead, we’ve decided to take The Great Loop route to get to the ocean. Our change of plans was influenced by several delays that have led to a late summer departure. Taking the shorter route is smart.
What is the Great Loop? Many cruisers make this popular circumnavigation of the Eastern half of the United States. It is a picturesque route and a great way to see our country by water! The Great Loop Cruisers' Association web page has a wealth of information with details on segments of the route and popular places to visit. There is a myriad of information on services available, water depths, bridge clearances and important lock timing.
Our journey will begin on Lake Superior, with our departure from Knife River Marina. We will head across the Lake, through the Apostle Islands and make our way to the Sault Ste. Marie Locks. We made this same journey across Lake Superior, (only west instead of east), four years ago when we delivered Mystic to her home port in Knife River.
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| Knife Island, Knife River, MN ~ 2013 |
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| Knife River Marina View |
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| Passing through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie ~ 2013 |
Once we are through the Soo Locks our course will turn west toward Mackinaw Island and Lake Michigan where we will join The Great Loop. We’ll traverse Lake Michigan south to Chicago. Before we reach Chicago we will have to step the mast for the rest of the journey to Mobile, Alabama. Dropping our mast is necessary due to the length of it (45 feet off the water) and the number of low fixed bridges we’ll pass under. On this part of our trip, some 1,200 miles, we will be motoring Mystic. Dave built a cradle to carry our mast on deck during this long trek. This will keep it secure and somewhat out of the way.
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| Mystic with the mast on the cradle |
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| Aft Mast Cradle |
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| Forward Mast Cradle |
The Inland Waterway consists of four sections. First is the Illinois Waterway from Chicago to the Mississippi River, just North of St. Louis, MO. Next is the Mississippi River to the confluence of the Ohio River where we’ll make a short trip up the Ohio to the Tennessee River. At this point we turn South on the Tennessee River for several hundred miles until we meet up with the Tombigbee, a man-made waterway that connects the Tennessee River and Mobile, Alabama.
The Inland Waterway passes through some of the most picturesque lakes said to be equal to the beauty of the Apostle Islands. Land between the Lakes, The Kentucky Lake and Pickwick Lake are just a few spots we are excited to see. We’ll have many options for going ashore and exploring the towns we travel through. We are bringing kayaks and bikes aboard Mystic and look forward to putting them to good use.
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| Pickwick Lake Waterfall |
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| Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area, Kentucky |
Once we get into the Gulf of Mexico we plan to circumnavigate Florida and spend some time in Key West and the Cocoa Beach area. Sometime next year we will head for the Bahamas. We are exploring the idea of taking Mystic to Cuba and Puerto Rico but have not completed those plans. The beauty of what we are doing is our flexibility to make decisions as we go.
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| Only 90 Miles to CUBA!!! |
4 comments:
It looks like it will be so much fun! If you can, give me notice of where you might be when (i.e., Key West) and maybe I'll meet you there... Or even on Little Gasparilla.
Leemikcee that sounds great! Also, we'll be in Cocoa Beach for a couple weeks in January! Let's figure it out! We'll keep in touch as we make our way there so you can plan!
Cuba is a must if you can!! Before it changes with the introduction of Modern life.
That's exactly what we were thinking Pam!
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