Hey blog followers,
Sorry for the delayed follow-up to the Gulf Crossing note from Thursday night.
It has been a world-wind weekend.
After crossing the Gulf Thursday night/Friday morning, we were exhausted, crashed Friday night, and Saturday morning welcomed Jonell’s cousin Anita Cook & husband Rich from Clarkston Michigan onto the SS Gettin’ Looped. In addition to being Jonell’s cousin, Rich & Anita are among the group of our local boater pals from metro Detroit. They arrived Saturday morning and will spend the week with us as we travel to Fort Myers Beach.
I want to start by thanking all of you who either made a comment on the blog, or sent an email, sent a text, or called before we crossed the Gulf of Mexico & tracked our progress while crossing !
The best part of the Great Loop Trip has been knowing that all of our friends & family are watching over us.
Here is our Summary of the Gulf of Mexico Crossing
Emotions
Serenity – the quietness of hearing only the sound of the motors & boat wake
Dolphins – following us out of Carrabelle & welcoming us into Clearwater
Sunset – Spectacular (see attached pics)
Moon Light / Stars – We had clear skies until about 3am, the moon lit up the water nicely
Moon Set – Very nice, not as cool as the Sunset
Darkness – Eerie feeling after the clouds covered the moon, very dark
Isolation – Only saw 2 vessels during the entire Gulf crossing, 1 Tow/Barge (10pm) & 1 Fishing boat (2am).
Sunrise – As sweet as the Sunset, wild cloud formations (see attached pics)
Almost There – the euphoria of the tall buildings entering Clearwater after 20 hours.
Achievement – Accomplishing something that we had spent many nights thinking about.
At about 3am in the morning, in very dark conditions, with only the noise of the motors & wake , while Jonell was sleeping – I had almost a euphoric feeling and felt as alive as I have ever felt in my life.
Stats
Left Carrabelle 4pm
Arrived @ Clearwater & tied up by 12 noon
20 hours
180 miles
8-9 mph
141 gallons fuel (very low for Gettin’ Looped, pretty efficient at 8-9mph, 1.25mpg )
Only two, 1-hour sleep sessions each for Jonell & I
Videos (go for the ride, click on Links in red)
1. Video #1 “Leaving Carrabelle” – Cancelled, not much info, cutting room floor !
2. Red Can #2 Entry into the Gulf of Mexico = https://youtu.be/KrKXjX8UMxA
2. Sunset = https://youtu.be/u5b2fevVqfE
3. 10pm Bow Ride = https://youtu.be/oY-BTGKMEGE
4. Midnight – Aft Deck = https://youtu.be/I7TPm1GhrOU
5. 7am Sunrise = https://youtu.be/RRT4WhhT7Kk
Photos
Chartplotters
Sunset
Moon
Sunrise
Crab Pot Nets – we were told they were a big deal, but they were not really a big deal for us, we had to steer around about 25 nets. They can be a little difficult to see with sun glare. You don’t want the line in your props.
Entering Clearwater
Our GPS Tracker Path – I love looking at this !
We landed in Clearwater Florida on Friday afternoon about 12 noon, we have since traveled to Sarasota with Jonell’s cousin Anita Cook & 1st mate Rich from Clarkston Michigan. Rich & Anita will be with us for the week, traveling from Clearwater to Sarasota to TBD to Fort Myers Beach. We will then bed down for December at the Pink Shell Marina Resort in Fort Myers Beach – more to come on the next post.
gettinlooped2017.com 
Keep up the great posts, coz!
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Thx Kat
Come join us after your big day next year
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Congrats on the crossing!! Beautiful pictures!! ENJOY 🙂
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Thx Michelle
And thx for holding down the fort in Royal Oak
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You better bet your sweet ass I get my year off when you get back !
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Wrong Michelle, thought you were Jonells sister, now think you are Michelle Kline ?
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Nice work. Can’t think of a better place to spend December. The Pink Shell is an awesome place. While you’re there be sure to check out Yo Taco, Nervous Nellies, have a drink is the swing boats atop the Lani Kai (just don’t touch anything inside the elevator going up!), along with a plethora of other cool places on Estero Island. Maybe venture over to Sanibel Island too!
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Thx for the tips !
We have been to Nervous Nellies & Sanibel before
Will try the Lani Kai, very interested in what the elevator looks like ???
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Nothing on the elevators other than the place is a dump. But the roof top is cool…and worth the dirty ride to the top. I’ve got tons of Ft. Myers info if you’re interested.
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Thx Chuck,
We did go to Lani Kai yesterday
Yes, the place is a college kid dump but the view was nice.
I might call you after Nellies cousin departs
Tell Kim hi
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Hope your all having a great time
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Thx Jonells way younger sister. Hope you are feeling well.
Appreciate all your help
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Wow, exciting and scary, I don’t know how you could even think about sleeping during that crossing. I would’ve been on pins and needles the whole time.
My lack of experience I guess. A little sensory deprivation and being one in the present moment will give you that eurphoric feeling. Thanks for the update, I’m looking forward to the next one.
BTW , the last video was unavailable. Don’t know if that’s on my end or yours. I’ll check back later.
George
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Thx Jorge
I’ll check the last video on my end also
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George,
I forgot to publish it in Utube
It should work now
Thx
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Watched you cross, glad was easy enough for you both. Looks like you are about half way around, feel good??
I didn’t think the crab pots were a big deal either, glad you said something. Wondered if I was crazy. Thought they were laid down in nice strings with large enough spacing to follow and cut through.
Enjoy the ride down the coast!!
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Thx Beth
C u and Rip early next week
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Thx Jorge
I’ll check the last video on my end also
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Congrats on a successful crossing. You are entering my area of Florida, we spend 6 weeks in Cape Coral, visit the Ft. Myers Beach area frequently. Favorite restaurant in Ft. Myers is the Prawnbroker, probably 5 miles from Ft Myers Beach on McGregor. Lots of good restaurants. Good seafood restaurants just over the San Carlos bridge. Have fun.
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Thx Commander Joe
We will try to get to the Pawnbroker, thx for the tip
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To Mike And Jonell, All I can say is AWSOME!!!!!!!
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Thx big Al
We miss all you guys at Miller
I have spoken to John Nelson and Jerry Luck a few times.
Call when you have time
See you late next August
Mike
586 202 6295
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Glad to hear you made it across safe! Missed you guys at Brenda’s. Keep the posts coming, even though they’re making me extremely jealous;-)
Tom
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Thx Tommy,
Yea, we missed the gang at the Euchre Christmas party.
Kenny offered for us to video chat with y’all, but we were trashed and went to bed early Friday night. Thx for the note and for following the trip
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Sunrise video looks great, thx mike
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Thx for confirming it works George.
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Thank you for another glimpse into your amazing adventure and for the videos of the beautiful views!
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Thx Shannon
Have not yet seen Miss crazy, but have not been tracking their position
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How long will you be in Ft Myers Beach. John and I will be there 9am tomorrow morning.
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Kathleen,
We will only be here 1 month !
Call when you arrive
Let’s do dinner this weekend
Mike and Jonell
586 202 6295
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Mike and Jonell – I have read every one of your blog entries along your journey and have been enjoying the ride. I think back of when you and Jonell gave us a Powerpoint presentation (of course) of what your plan was. It’s great to see a plan come together and I’m so glad you’re having a fun and safe trip. We are all thinking about you here. Keep up the great work and I look forward to future updates!
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Awh Brian,
What a nice note
Thx so very much for the note, your time spent following the blog, and your warm wishes.
If we don’t talk, have a great holiday.
Love
Mike and Jonell
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