Hey Family & Friends,
It’s been a long time since we went on the boating trip of a lifetime – America’s Great Loop.
We haven’t Blogged since 2018.
Since Looping, we have been staying 4 months in Fort Myers during every Michigan winter, and had a few National Park trips (hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park).
But other than that, it’s been a bit boring on the Lifetime Adventures List.
Until now – this coming April, we will be joining our friends Jerry & Deena Luck on the 43ft vessel Mahi Mahi for a 1 month adventure in the Exuma Islands. We would also like to welcome Jerry & Deena’s friends, who we recently added to The Exuma Trip Blog.
The Exuma Islands are a series of small islands just east of the Bahamas, south of Nassau.
The Exumas are renown for their sapphire-blue waters—waters so stunning, their brilliant colors are visible even from outer space. This chain of 365 islands is home to secluded footprint-free beaches, deserted cays, and ultra-exclusive resorts.
We will visit about 15 of the islands.
They are well know for their Giant Iguanas, Feeding the Swimming Pigs, swimming with the Nurse Sharks, and a dive cave called Thunderball Grotto. 
Here is a link to some of the sights & things to see & do in the Exumas – (fast forward the video to the 0:30sec mark to skip the intro advertising) – Clink Link
We will be departing from Key Largo to Bimini Bahamas to clear Customs (85 miles), then to Chub Cay (95 miles), Nassau (35 miles), and then on to the top of the Exuma chain of islands – Highborne Cay !
Our original plan was to depart from Miami (50 miles), but we could not get a marina in Miami because of a large music festival that week, so we had to replan to depart from Key Largo (85 miles).
You can see our rough “Timing, Distance, Marina” plan on the attached excel chart (1 page) – click this link
You can see our “Trip Outline” on the attached Powerpoint (22 pages) – click this Link
We will be going on this great adventure with our dear friends Jerry & Deena Luck. We met them at Miller Marina in 2016 via mutual boating friends John & Cheryl Nelson.
Jerry & Deena went on America’s Great Loop 1 year after us in 2018/2019.
For the last 4 years while we are in Fort Myers for the winter, we have traveled from Fort Myers to Marathon Key & lived on their boat with them for 1 week each winter. So we are quite confident that we can co-habitate for a month quite nicely.
We will spend the month of April together on the SS-Mahi Mahi, a beautiful 43ft Best Way Trawler.
Jerry & Deena spend their winters each year on the Mahi Mahi in Marathon Key Florida.
Jonell & I will leave Fort Myers & meet the Luck’s in Key Largo on Thursday.
Weather permitting, we will depart for Bimini on Friday March 31st.
Well, that’s the intro for now.
Stay tuned for upcoming Blog Posts during the month of April !
Mike, Jonell, Jerry, Deena
So excited to watch your progress and share the journey. Safe travels. Remember America’s Boating Channel will be back on Lake St Clair, June 11-17. Plan some time to be with us.
Thx Rose.
Yes, I’m planning on sharing some time with Marty & Sari.
See you in May
How exciting for you all! Have a fun filled boating trip!
Thx Linda, see you & Bill next year.
Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to see all of the beautiful pictures and comments of this fun adventure! Safe travels to all!
Thx Dru,
Looking forward to hangin’ with you and Bobby again next winter
Looking forward to the updates!
Thanks Pat, see you in May. Ready to share a pint of Guinness and catch up on Stellantis happenings
Have fun be safe
Thanks Michele, we will have fun & I will keep your sister safe. Hope all is ok with your health. C U in May !
Wow that sounds like a great trip. Wish I was going. Keep me posted on your travels and have fun. Be safe.
Thanks Phil, it was great to see you again at the AMC reunion. Hopefully Cardona does it again next year.
Thanks for keeping us in the loop, sounds like a great trip. We look forward to future updates. Safe travels, George & Denise Palmer
Thanks for the comment Jorge. We are sooo excited. Looking forward to catching up with you guys and the Wilson’s in May
Sounds like a wonderful trip can’t wait to read more safe travels
John and I will be following. Enjoy! Looks like a gre
Thanks for the comment Kathleen. We look forward to sharing more updates & finally having that Pizza dinner with y’all when we get back
Sounds exciting! Can’t wait to read about the adventure! Safe travels!
Michelle,
Thanks for the comment & following the blog again. Hopefully see you guys in May or June up at Spraggs. Tell grandpa hello
Gotta say, a little jealous! I know both of you have missed this. Have a great time, can’t wait to share your adventure with you, looking forward to reading the blog!
Thanks Linda-Lou,
It could only be better if you guys could share it with us “live/in person” again. Missed you in FM this year. C U in May
Mike
You are the best husband ever
Thanks Nellie, I knows it !
Sounds like a great adventure. Be sure to go swimming with the pigs & have some “soda pops” at the Soggy Dollar for us. : )
Bill,
I just checked, it looks like the Soggy Dollar Bar is in the British Virgin Islands, not the Exumas/Bahamas ?
The Mahi Mahi does not have enough range (ha ha ha)
Opps…I goofed, but enjoy a swim with the pigs anyway. : )
Will do Bill, thanks for the Tip !