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Cruising America's Great Loop and other inland routes

Loop side trips

Jim Quince

Sat, Mar 16, 2013 10:41 AM

Like many, I dabble in different boater forums, and other places too. Pizza anyone? Paella?

This loop list certainly is focused on the Great LOOP, sometimes also known as the Great Circle which most know is the ~6000 mile circumnavigation of the eastern USA, usually including Canada. AGLCA produces a routes map which might be considered the "Official" Loop. Skipper Bob also had a set of guides for the Loop. There are others......

Where do you cut off discussions? The Bahamas?

There are so many great side trips to be had that connect to this Loop. I believe the Bahamas is one of them and we've done it once to the Abacos. Many loopers have. Some before they finish and some after they've done the loop. We've not yet finished our Loop.....hmmm...6 years now!
And we will probably be back in the Bahamas a year from now too.

So, some side trips and distractions for us so far? Cumberland River/Lake Barkley, Up the Tennessee, various tributaries of theTN and Tellico Lake, The Keys, St Johns River,

Other desired trips.... Downeast circle? St Lawrence. Rideau Canal. Lake Champlain. Lake Superior. Rivers of the Eastern Shore. The Gulf Coast. Maine?

The shortest loop log is finite, having the least miles to do it. But if you stray from the channel...?
Gosh, there is a lot of water out there!

Enjoy Every Sandwich!
TWINS

Like many, I dabble in different boater forums, and other places too. Pizza anyone? Paella? This loop list certainly is focused on the Great LOOP, sometimes also known as the Great Circle which most know is the ~6000 mile circumnavigation of the eastern USA, usually including Canada. AGLCA produces a routes map which might be considered the "Official" Loop. Skipper Bob also had a set of guides for the Loop. There are others...... Where do you cut off discussions? The Bahamas? There are so many great side trips to be had that connect to this Loop. I believe the Bahamas is one of them and we've done it once to the Abacos. Many loopers have. Some before they finish and some after they've done the loop. We've not yet finished our Loop.....hmmm...6 years now! And we will probably be back in the Bahamas a year from now too. So, some side trips and distractions for us so far? Cumberland River/Lake Barkley, Up the Tennessee, various tributaries of theTN and Tellico Lake, The Keys, St Johns River, Other desired trips.... Downeast circle? St Lawrence. Rideau Canal. Lake Champlain. Lake Superior. Rivers of the Eastern Shore. The Gulf Coast. Maine? The shortest loop log is finite, having the least miles to do it. But if you stray from the channel...? Gosh, there is a lot of water out there! Enjoy Every Sandwich! TWINS

Joseph Pica

Sat, Mar 16, 2013 11:38 AM

Don't forget the Ohio River and its tributaries. Our trip up the Ohio,
Monongahela, Great Kanawha Rivers and some of the Allegheny River last
season rewarded us with beautiful cities and towns, all inviting us to visit
and enjoy. The seldom cruised iconic Ohio River is embedded within the heart
of America's history and has much to offer a cruiser. Most all of the
towns and cities have a free place to tie up in the center of town. Some
even offer free power and water. All are very welcoming. Loopers only
glimpse the very lowest part of the Ohio River which leaves nothing but
memories of unattractive commercial tow congested waters and lock delays.
We were surprised to find that the Ohio River changes immediately beyond
that lower section. Once past the Smithfield Lock the river turns bucolic
with high forested banks and farms and many anchorages. Up river gives
mountain views and presents you with the industrial might of steel and coal.
Pittsburg, Louisville, Cincinnati, Charleston and the myriad of wonderful
small towns offer a rich touring experience. Don't let the lower end of the
Ohio put you off seeing this river. This trip is an unexpectedly wonderful
side trip cruise

Joe
M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37
MTOA# 3813
AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper)
http://carolynann-n37.blogspot.com/
Joseph.pica@gmail.com

Snip:"...So, some side trips and distractions for us so far? Cumberland River/Lake Barkley, Up the Tennessee, various tributaries of theTN and Tellico Lake, The Keys, St Johns River, Other desired trips.... Downeast circle? St Lawrence. Rideau Canal. Lake Champlain. Lake Superior. Rivers of the Eastern Shore. The Gulf Coast. Maine?..." Don't forget the Ohio River and its tributaries. Our trip up the Ohio, Monongahela, Great Kanawha Rivers and some of the Allegheny River last season rewarded us with beautiful cities and towns, all inviting us to visit and enjoy. The seldom cruised iconic Ohio River is embedded within the heart of America's history and has much to offer a cruiser. Most all of the towns and cities have a free place to tie up in the center of town. Some even offer free power and water. All are very welcoming. Loopers only glimpse the very lowest part of the Ohio River which leaves nothing but memories of unattractive commercial tow congested waters and lock delays. We were surprised to find that the Ohio River changes immediately beyond that lower section. Once past the Smithfield Lock the river turns bucolic with high forested banks and farms and many anchorages. Up river gives mountain views and presents you with the industrial might of steel and coal. Pittsburg, Louisville, Cincinnati, Charleston and the myriad of wonderful small towns offer a rich touring experience. Don't let the lower end of the Ohio put you off seeing this river. This trip is an unexpectedly wonderful side trip cruise Joe M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37 MTOA# 3813 AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper) http://carolynann-n37.blogspot.com/ Joseph.pica@gmail.com