Mike and Beth's Adventures

Friends are one of the reasons we enjoy boating in the San Juan and Gulf Islands.  Several years ago we met John and Brenda while visiting Refuge Cove in the Desolation Islands.  They cruised there on John's 30' diesel cruiser, Salish Dream.  Next time we saw them we linked up on Gabriola Island where John gave us an Island tour. Following the tour we visited his sister and her husband who have a home overlooking Dodd Narrows.   Prior to departing for the Pacific Northwest this summer, we arranged to meet John in Montague Harbor on Galiano Island.  He grew up near Parksville, on Vancouver Island and has cruised these waters for many years,  He has willingly shared his extensive knowledge of local anchorages, harbors, sights, and experiences to enjoy. John was in Ganges getting groceries when we arrived.  We anchored just outside the Provincial Park mooring field and set about boat chores while waiting for John's return.  As we waited, float p...

Sunset during our 20 hour Gulf Crossing- Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs January 18th-19th, 2022  Preparations Every day on the Loop is different.  This helps cultivate your sense of adventure.  Even as experienced boaters, we constantly find ourselves challenged in new ways.  Our 20 hour open water voyage from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs was one of those challenges that you will remember forever.   My navigator is confident she can guide us to the other side First of all, the Gulf crossing seems larger than life.  The type of event where you can easily build a "boogie man" that grows in size, proportionate to your  anxiety level.  Many hours are spent in discussions, conversations and musings anticipating "the crossing"   There are so many tasks that must be completed or learned. which puts this in a different category of life experiences.  The decisions you make, and the care you have taken, to prepare yourself and you vessel w...

The Wharf Resort - Orange Beach November 22-27, 2001 The white sand beaches adrift in turquois seas drove home that our adventure experience had changed dramatically.  Left behind was the anchoring in creeks and rivers, the colors of fall, and the muddy river banks.  We were now under blue skies and it was time to break out the shorts.   The gulf coast is also a land of contrasts.  On one hand it is very much Las Vegas without the gambling.  Marlins adorned with Santa hats that belch fire after dark.  Light shows cast is an artificial fog. Tourist attractions beckoning in an effort to vacuum your last dollar from your pocket.  This is all occurring in the context of the absolutely lovely gulf coast.  Fortunately we found vast tracts that have, to date, resisted the developers bulldozer.  The parks were large and awe inspiring.  An eco-system of which we were not familiar.  From our mooring we had an unrestricted view of dolphin...

Beth celebrates our crossing of Mobile Bay November 21st, 2021 Lulu's Jimmy Buffet's sister, Lulu, has a place on the Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway (GICW) that is a wonderful stop to reward yourself for having completed the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and successfully made the transition from fresh to salt water.  She has thoughtfully provide guest dockage so you can tie up just outside.  It is easy to find on the north side  of the channel in Gulf Shores Alabama.  The timing is great too.  We arrived just after the lunch crowd departed, around 2pm.  We could see other Loopers were already in the attached Homeport Marina.  So overnight berthing is available too.  We recognized the names of boats whose crews we meet while travelling the inland waters. I'm a happy camper So what do you have to eat?  The menu had many good items, including lots of seafood choices.  In my mind though, the choice was obvious.   I didn't even need a m...

November 20th, 2021 We completed our Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway journey!  We arrived in Mobile Alabama with the Grand Mariner Marina on Dog River as our overnight destination.  It was so exciting to segue from the river system to a coastal salt water environment.  We loved our trip downriver, but the coastal environment, warmer weather, sunshine and salt air just make it special.   Approaching Mobile Alabama Mobile is a busy working port Here's a tanker getting the bottom repainted Littoral Combat Ship under construction  We arrived just before the start of the Alabama - Arkansas football game.  The marina staff, friends and guests were gearing up for the Game.  Roll Tide Roll!  A boat in the marine was named Troll Tide Troll.  The BBQ was going and grilling shrimp shish kebabs, sausages, fish, and hamburgers.  The big screen was set up outside and chairs were arranged facing the TV.  Are you ready for some Football!  At...