Hellos and Goodbyes

We've been lucky to spend long periods of time with other Loopers along our journey. We've also been lucky to make return visits to our home in Minnesota, and our family in Connecticut. There have been a lot of hellos and goodbyes!

A visit to Connecticut in November

Beth & Minnie in CT

My Mom "Nonnie"

At the house of cats in CT

Dave with Marc in CT

A Visit to Minnesota in December

Beth with friends Linda and Mary in MN

MN Friends Mike & Linda

MN Friends Mary & Shel

Dave with sailing friends
Jim & Linda

Beth with sailing friends
Jim & Linda

Beth & Sonya on a MN run at Brown's Creek

Minnesota Visit in March

Sonya & Beth ~ Inside Stoopin on Olive Street

Sonya, Pat & Beth Neighbor gathering

Dave & Karla are teachers in Minnesota
who follow our blog with their students

We've had a lot of hellos and goodbyes while cruising too. We regularly meet the locals at each port we stop in. They are chance meetings where we learn as much as we can about people we may never see again, yet people we will never forget. We meet other loopers, some just long enough to collect their boat card; others who we travel with for long periods of time. When we arrived at Turner Marine in Mobile, we reconnected with several boats that we'd met at anchorages or marinas along the way. Life's Travails, Veritas, Bright Angel, Greatful II, Bonnie Jean, Mucho Gusto and Sea Marie; it seemed that everyone was having an extended stay in Mobile. But once the boat projects were scratched off their list, they would throw their lines and head out across Mobile Bay, never looking back. Our farewell ritual is usually in the form of a party; a celebration of progress, camaraderie and moving on. This makes it a little easier to say farewell; until we meet again; because we do meet again, eventually. Until we do, our community of fellow adventurers keep a keen eye on each other. Just like family!

Saying Goodbye to Henry

Henry's farewell party aboard Mucho Gusto

Toasting friendship, fair winds and following seas

The start of Henry's farewell card

Farewell to Henry & Mickey

Henry, Beth, Rhonda, Dave

Beth, Susan & Rhonda in Mobile, AL
Veritas farewell gathering