We're BAAAAAAAAACK!

We woke up to another foggy morning in Wabasha. It had been a cool night, and the morning fog hung over the warm waters.

Joel and Debby had fired up their trawler early, and motored down from Lake City. This was a day to pass the baton! We are on the last day of our Loop, and they are just starting theirs.

We chatted for a few hours about the adventure, places to go, sites to see, and the navigation challenges.

It reminded us of our first day, 366 days ago, as we watched the excitement in their eyes, listened to the endless stream of questions, and watched their energy, as they were to begin their adventure!

We sent them off with a Canadian chip for their plotter, and a quarantine flag and Canadian flag for their journey through the North Country.

God Speed and safe cruising you two!

We pulled out of Wabasha about 11:00, and headed off on our final 30 miles to our home port of Ole Miss in Red Wing. It felt comfortable being back in our home waters after a years absence. 

The bluffs were still magnificent, just as we had left them a year ago.

The water was flat, and there was hardly any other traffic. It was a very peaceful ride, as we both reflected back on what a year this has been! 

It wasn't long and Red Wing was in sight!

As we started backing down into F13, our dock neighbor Jerry was standing by to catch our lines!

The 20BUCK$ and crew has made it FULL CIRCLE!!!!

It has been a year of unforgettable experiences!!!

Captn Ken

Pat Here!

Ken summed it up very well - we have had a fabulous year and completed a once in a life time adventure that not many people will be fortunate enough to do!  We lived the dream! 

We have made life long friends along the way and seen parts of the country that we never dreamed we would see!  We stopped to smell the roses and enjoyed every mile we traveled, every town/city we visited and every new friend we made.

We are now excited to see our friends and family many of whom we haven’t seen for a year!  And then...............we will both go back to work, refreshed and ready!

We kept a spreadsheet on the trip and wanted to share some exciting statistics about our adventure.

20BUCK$ Great Loop - 2011/2012

Departed - 8/20/11

Returned - 8/21/12

Miles Traveled - 7,812.4 miles

Locks - 193

Anchored - 34 nights

Free walls/docks/slips - 37 nights

Eagles - 41

Friends met along the way - too many to count!

Cost of this adventure - Priceless!!!!!

Thanks to everyone that traveled with us by reading our blog.  We loved having you aboard.  We loved all your emails and phone calls!  Several of you joined us for a week and we loved having you along!  We missed all of you!  We hope to see you all real soon! 

We will leave this blog active so other Loopers can access for information / planning.

So.....Ken and Pat from the 20BUCK$ say farewell! 

Our Great Loop is done but life’s adventures will continue!

We lived the Dream!!!

Pat and Ken