This reminds me of the round-the-world trip of “Half Safe”, an amphibious WW2 surplus Jeep, in the 1950s. Wikipedia has a good article on it.
When I started working at Annapolis Sailing School as its first instructor in 1964 the decrepit Half Safe was parked in a corner of Mears marina on Spa Creek. Jerry Wood, the owner of the school, pointed me to the National Geographic articles about the voyage.
As a New Englander I tend to agree on not being too flashy. While not modest, he was not overly flashy either. And I think there is a sense of accomplishment in doing any long trip in a small open boat. Lot's of people think your nuts when you run to Block island in a 13' whaler for instance. I think it was a decent accomplishment he has done other cool stuff in small boats too. While I'm not about setting records I do think it took a bit to do that long of a trip in a an open boat with a tiller. I also Like the concept of the great loop. It it a really long trip and while not an arduous journey it's challenging in it's own way. I mean I follow guys (miles in transit) who get 100k's of views by doing stupid long journeys in public transit. Watching a couple guys try to go the entire length of the West coast from Mexico to Canada only using buses and light rail last week
As some one who has spent plenty of time in Salt Water and Fresh I think inland waterways get less respect then they deserve. Also dodging Barge Traffic on the lower Mississippi is a hazard in it's own right.
Seth, in cases like this, which are covered by local and national news media, I can't hope to keep up. All I can do is wait until something they’ve missed falls into my lap.
Great take on the Loop. FWIW - they don’t “award” the gold flag, you have to buy it. Members of AGLCA can, in fact purchase all the flags/burgees at their whim. I believe it’s called ‘Great’ by virtue of the size of the complete passage. Demonstrably, some parts are not great in the wonderful sense of the word. And I also dont get how it’s the “adventure of a lifetime” unless you’ve never been anywhere outside your home state. To each their own. Thanks for a Great Take! I’ll be getting off your lawn now :-D
In the grand scheme of things I would never do a dash around anything because I want to savor every minute of it, every place, every person that made the experience the wonderful trip that it was. And thankfully this guy is doing what he likes as well but dammit when he passes me just do it quietly and minimum wake.
Very enjoyable article. Mr or should I say Captain must need some recognition or has a nagging wife. Many reasons to go loopy.
This reminds me of the round-the-world trip of “Half Safe”, an amphibious WW2 surplus Jeep, in the 1950s. Wikipedia has a good article on it.
When I started working at Annapolis Sailing School as its first instructor in 1964 the decrepit Half Safe was parked in a corner of Mears marina on Spa Creek. Jerry Wood, the owner of the school, pointed me to the National Geographic articles about the voyage.
Wonderfully insane stuff. Sort of like this.
As a New Englander I tend to agree on not being too flashy. While not modest, he was not overly flashy either. And I think there is a sense of accomplishment in doing any long trip in a small open boat. Lot's of people think your nuts when you run to Block island in a 13' whaler for instance. I think it was a decent accomplishment he has done other cool stuff in small boats too. While I'm not about setting records I do think it took a bit to do that long of a trip in a an open boat with a tiller. I also Like the concept of the great loop. It it a really long trip and while not an arduous journey it's challenging in it's own way. I mean I follow guys (miles in transit) who get 100k's of views by doing stupid long journeys in public transit. Watching a couple guys try to go the entire length of the West coast from Mexico to Canada only using buses and light rail last week
As some one who has spent plenty of time in Salt Water and Fresh I think inland waterways get less respect then they deserve. Also dodging Barge Traffic on the lower Mississippi is a hazard in it's own right.
Peter, Any more info on the sailboat/tug and barge collision that killed three kids at sailing camp in Miami?
Seth, in cases like this, which are covered by local and national news media, I can't hope to keep up. All I can do is wait until something they’ve missed falls into my lap.
Great take on the Loop. FWIW - they don’t “award” the gold flag, you have to buy it. Members of AGLCA can, in fact purchase all the flags/burgees at their whim. I believe it’s called ‘Great’ by virtue of the size of the complete passage. Demonstrably, some parts are not great in the wonderful sense of the word. And I also dont get how it’s the “adventure of a lifetime” unless you’ve never been anywhere outside your home state. To each their own. Thanks for a Great Take! I’ll be getting off your lawn now :-D
In the grand scheme of things I would never do a dash around anything because I want to savor every minute of it, every place, every person that made the experience the wonderful trip that it was. And thankfully this guy is doing what he likes as well but dammit when he passes me just do it quietly and minimum wake.