We want to thank Joe and Mary Beth Amelia on Pot o’Gold for organizing the Looper get-together at the Marathon City Marina last night. The weather was not very promising but 66 people from 34 boats showed up by dinghy, on foot, by bike and car for the chance to meet each other.
Everyone has a different story but all share a love of the cruising lifestyle. Veteran Loopers from the 1990’s like the crew from Lady Margaret, and Jim originally from Grand Haven MI, have not returned yet to a land-based home. We met 2 couples from Germany and Holland who have boats here in FL and are planning on doing the Loop soon. Bob and I are still relatively new on the Loop which we started in 9/08 and it was fun to meet Jamie and Frank from TX who just started their Loop in 11/08 aboard a Marine Trader 34. It was fun to meet up again with loopers we’ve cruised with like Jeannette and Charlie aboard Highlander and to meet veteran loopers who have helped us out through emails and Channel 16.
So much of looping is sharing with others—information, help, parts, recommendations, food, beverages and camaraderie. The party was in full swing from 5-6:15pm and could have gone for hours, but the clouds darkened, thunder boomed and all raced to get back to batten down their boats. We look forward to seeing everybody again soon.
