Crossing our Wake

This is the spot. The yellow sign in the lower photo announces the entrance to Gasparailla Marina, where we started our Great Loop journey. From here we went south down the Florida coast to Ft. Myers, across the Okeechobee Waterway to the east coast and north from there.

For those stataticians amongst you, here are some facts:

We put 687 hours on the engine in those 5500 miles

I spent $12,140 on fuel over 11 months or about $1100 per month

At an average of $4.00/gal for diesel we burned approx. $4.42 per hour on 3036 gal of diesel. Shelley and I took over 3850 photos and published 88 blogs.

We went through 17 states and two countries and 110 locks reaching the highest elevation of 900 ft. above sea level. What do they say....Priceless

Last night we celebrated both my birthday and our wake crossing at the Crow's Nest, a very nice restaurant and marina in Venice. 60 is the new 50, right? My brothers and sister all tell me so, since they have all been getting very used to their 60's for some time now.

At Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, Shelley made it official by taking down our battered and torn White Looper flag which we have proudly flown for these 5500 miles, and hoisting the new Gold flag. We can call ourselves Gold Loopers now. Ever since I was a small child I always wanted to become a Gold Looper. It is hard to believe that it is really here. Brings a gold tear to your eye doesn't it? Gold Loopers, Golden Years, turning age 60. I see a trend here I don't like so much.

So to stay young, and keep the Golden years away, we are not finished with this journey yet for Rock Chalk. We want to explore the Keys, Dry Tortugas, and the Bahamas, before we get back to Austin in mid June. I have said this once, and I'll say it again. Come join us for some part of this next 1000 miles. The weather is beautiful, the water is warm, and the beaches.....very nice.

From two Gold Loopers to all our friends and relatives..thanks for listening.

It has been a Journey of Lifetime. Marc and Shelley