THE ANXIETY OF ANTICIPATION IS FAR WORSE THAN THE REALITY......a well put statement in my book. >>>>> About 5 years ago as we prepared to start our loop experience we certainly had plenty of fears and anxiety. I seem to remember that Vaughn was concerned about going through downtown Chicago for some reason, not sure which of my anxieties was high up there, probably crossing Lake Michigan. We were invited by veteran boaters on Blue Angel to come down to their boat for a visit and discuss our plans. They were very accommodating and basically said not to worry. Thanks. After we crossed Lake MI and then went through downtown Chicago, we now needed to anticipate something else to keep up the anxieties. We anchor out so are always thinking about the anchor dragging. When your props are spinning in the tidal current at the anchorage, that adds little more thought aingst to that situation, too. I’d say that after 5 years of Looping (or half looping) our biggest anxieties have been the overnight crossing of the Gulf, a 22 hour trip ending in the crab pot fields at dawn. Also crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas....so, again I seem to be keeping with my big open water anxiety anticipations. The longer you have to think about it, the worse it probably is. Having a tornado go by in Guntersville, or dragging anchor in a sudden Bahamian storm forces the adrenalin reaction. I’ve also bent a prop, lost an engine, had our kayaks stolen, dragged the keel in the FL ICW, weathered a hurricane, and even run aground now a few memorable times..... On balance, the reality is far better than anxiety anticipated.....thanks for the memories! We head out today on another side trip, the St Johns River (FL). Calling for mid 80’s and low 60’s for the next 10 days. Ahhh...Spring! Hope to head north to the Chesapeake this summer....slowly tightening that LOOP! Jim and Vaughn TWINS