We returned to Minnesota from our 2019 cruising season in time for a Labor Day wedding and the annual Oktoberfest at the Gasthaus in Stillwater. Two weeks after our return, we got a call from my brother-in-law, Mark Sauchuk, in Connecticut. He wanted us to help him deliver his beautiful Down East lobster boat (crab boat in the south), from Reedsville, Virginia to New London, Connecticut. He asked us to come along for the ride because we had just traveled the exact course he would be taking. We didn't hesitate for one moment. Although this would mean going to the dark side, cruising on a stink potter powerboat, we were all in!
It turned out to be the perfect detour for us all. Dave and I had secured seasonal jobs that would start in October so we had time to fit this in. Excited for the adventure, we packed our car and headed south to meet Mark in Reedsville. He was already settled in aboard Izzy. He'd equipped her with a microwave, a coffee pot and a huge fishing cooler. The only issue we faced was that we'd be moving on only one engine. Izzy's port side engine was out of commission. We were not sure how this would pan out but we survived and had a GREAT time. I wrote a book for Mark about our adventure. Here it is:
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| Mark's wife (my sister) is named JOYCE! |
Mark loved the book, a memoir that documented our adventure aboard Izzy. We were so happy to have had the opportunity to accompany him on this journey. Although our preferred mode of transportation is wind, we enjoyed every moment aboard Izzy and marveled at how quickly we got to port each day. The trip from Reedsville, Virginia to New London, Connecticut took five days. It took us three weeks to cover the same distance aboard S/V Mystic. There's something to say about saving time yet our Great Loop Adventure has been all about taking things slow.
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| Captain Mark Sauchuk |
