Since the Fall Rendezvous, a LOT had happened and I was going into the Spring Rendezvous with a different perspective. My status had changed from “Planning” to “Currently Looping” for one. I had gone through the boat buying process, spent many hours of online training learning navigation and boating rules, packed my necessities, rented out my home to my son, and moved with my dog to Norfolk. I was all in. My circle of Looper friends had gotten stronger and grown significantly, too. I had been meeting with my mentor, the legendary Audrey Stehle, who contributed significantly to Waterway Guides and founded Skipper Bob’s Cruising Guides with her husband Ted. I joined an AGLCA Mentor Group and connected with 20 or so others who were in my same stage. I had connected with the Harbor Hosts in Norfolk who were helpful in my planning. I had also kept in touch with my classmates from Captain Chris’ Boating School, the Cincinnati Loopers, and several of the solo Loopers I had met in Orange Beach. Many of these folks I would see again in Norfolk and I was stoked to catch up and compare notes on our progress over the past 6 months. We started with a happy hour the night before and it was so great to see everyone in 3D!!
So while The ‘Nati Nomad was out for repairs to a bent shaft, a couple cracked through hulls, a bowthruster zinc replacement, and an engine tune-up, I was making friends and taking a deeper dive into the routes I will travel. I spent the Fall Rendezvous on the Looper 101 track but I had graduated to the Route Briefing track for this one. The Route Briefings for each Rendezvous cover half the season so while the Fall Rendezvous provided details on the southern waterways between Orange Beach and Norfolk, the Spring Rendezvous provides details on the northern waterways between Norfolk and Orange Beach. Each session is an hour and a half and could honestly be double that, covering everything from tides and currents to anchorages with strong holds and where to find the best ice cream. I attended the Chesapeake Bay, New York through Erie Canal, Trent Severn waterway, and the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Brain full but SO EXCITED. I was doing this!!
In addition to the Rendezvous, I was juggling work, my Kali Bong, and managing my boat servicing. In our spare time, Kali and I enjoyed the beach and she met a few canine friends at the local dog park.
Most important are the connections made at these events. The comradery of a shared adventure brings Loopers together and we all have “boat cards” so that we can find each other on our Looper app along the route. My people! I am looking forward to crossing paths along the way, especially with my solo Loopers friends Cathy and Paul!
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King
To support the adventure or to track The ‘Nati Nomad’s progress, visit greatloop.thenatinomad.com.
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