METROPOLIS, IL TO GRAND RIVERS, KY - COMPLETION OF OUR GREAT LOOP

Sunday, September 27th, 2015

Day 419

Miles Traveled: 48

Total Miles Traveled: 6836


  At 6:00 am we contacted the lockmaster at Ohio River Lock 52.  We were excited to hear that, despite all the backup of tow boats, he would try and get us locked through first thing in the morning.  True to his word, we were entering the lock at 7:30 am.  There were six boats in total following behind "Seahorse".  

leaving Lock 52

  We were happy and sad to be continuing down the Ohio River.  Just a few miles later we would "cross our wake" which marks the completion of our Great Loop route.  

cruising down the Ohio River

  Just a little over 14 months ago we started on this journey, and, at the junction of the Cumberland River and the Ohio River is where we officially started on the Great Loop route. 

approaching junction of Ohio River and Cumberland River

  We had come full circle.  What a great adventure. 

crossing our wake

  We had decided to end our Great Loop trip at Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers, Ky which is located on Lake Barkley on the Cumberland River.  We had stayed there last August.  Upon our arrival, many Loopers who were already there held a gathering to celebrate our completion of The Great Loop.  We were happy to have several of the Loopers we had traveled with frequently there to help us celebrate - Jesse & Linda of "Bama Dream", Wayne & Donadee of "Always Home", and Kay of "Plane 2 Sea".   

"docktails" party to celebrate our completion of the Loop

  Now that we had arrived at our final destination, it was time to retire the white AGLCA burgee and fly the gold.  The gold flag indicates that you are a member who has completed the Great Loop.  

getting ready to replace the white burgee

WE MADE IT !!

officially gold Loopers

  After hanging the gold burgee, we had a celebratory dinner with Dave & Penny of "Penny Pinchin' " at the Yacht Club restaurant.  It was a great ending to a great day and a great journey.  

  Over the past 14 months, we have been fortunate to see lots of amazing things, but, the most amazing part was the people that we met. 

    Tomorrow we will start a new chapter of our lives.  We are not sure how the ending will go, but, we are looking forward to finding out.   We are very grateful to our family and friends who supported us in our dream and helped us to make it a reality.  WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!