December 20, 2012  WE DID IT !!  We crossed our wake on December 2nd in New Smyrna Beach, FL.  Our son Mike, lovely daughter in law Beth greeted us with our Gold Burgee (FLAG) flying for us to see where to park !!  They had a great picnic with lots of our family and friends there to welcome us home.  What a trip it has been,  I would do it again in a heart beat.  We went 5012 miles in Native Son and came in under budget for fuel.  Thanks to all the wonderful Looper's for a great time with those whose wake we shared.  Thanks too to our family for joining us when they could and encouraging us to "go for it, while you can !!"  Now we need to learn again how to walk on land !!
We have done a lot of things in our lives, but this was the greatest yet.  Hate to see it end, but then the boat hasn't sold yet !! Native Son is in New Smyrna, and listed with a broker, meanwhile Beth and Mike can enjoy her.  We are in Key West for the winter and glad to be here after several trying days, moving from the boat to the little rv, going to Homestead and moving from the little rv to the 5th wheel, too much work.  Will be sure and make moving easier next year.   When doing the Loop for the first time you fly a White Burgee from the American's Great Loop Cruisers Asso., when you cross your wake ( coming in to where you departed) you earn a Gold Burgee, and if you do it more than once you get a Platinum Burgee.

 

 

Merry Christmas  and Happy New Year to All