Joining America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA) has opened up a world of connections for our family as we embark on our Great Loop journey. The recent AGLCA Spring Rendezvous brought together Loopers from different stages of their adventure, providing valuable insights, camaraderie, and newfound friendships.

We joined the AGLCA last year as we began planning, which already provided us with more materials. In these forums, we could search and ask questions and access partners and vendors that offer discounts to members. Members of the AGLCA will get a burgee that they fly on their boat, making it easy to identify other Loopers when you arrive at an anchorage. Many of us also use an app (Nebo), which makes it easy to find each other. Even though we don't travel together as one big group, many Looper boats travel in the same direction and will pass through the same areas during the same seasons. Having ways to identify each other fosters a sense of community. We've already found Loopers (and other boaters) along the way are incredibly welcoming and helpful.

During the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous, a diverse group of Loopers attended. There were three primary groups: those Planning to travel the Great Loop someday, In Progress Loopers, and Gold (or Platinum) Loopers who have completed the Loop. We found ourselves in a very unique position, as we were non-retirees, we were a family with kids, and we were sailing enthusiasts taking a sailboat around America's Great Loop. Many Loopers wait until retirement and travel in trawlers.

Conference sessions during the Rendezvous provided us with learning opportunities and many chances to network and meet other folks on their own adventures. We were excited to learn from experienced Loopers about the Chesapeake, New York, Chicago, and other areas along the route. There is so much value in hearing first-hand experiences and gaining those valuable insights.

In addition to route briefings, sessions covered essential topics like anchoring, navigating locks, and lots of shared stories. Finally, we gained lots of practical advice to help us along our journey.

The evenings of the week offered Coast Guard Safety checks. Coast Guard volunteers walk through a list of equipment and requirements that all boats must have ready on board. This is a valuable opportunity that Coast Guard volunteers provide all over the United States each year, helping to ensure boaters are safe and prepared in an emergency.

Evenings also provided time for "Looper Crawls." This is where attendees of the Rendezvous could tour different style boats traveling the Loop. We opened up Fika to visitors, and the kids had a great time showcasing our new home and explaining the meaning of "Fika" to everyone. Pronounced "fee-ka," we summarize the Swedish term as coffee (and tea) time with friends. It is our intentional time together with people. The most common exclamations we heard as people entered our boat were, "It's so much bigger than I expected!" and "I've never been on a sailboat!"

We enjoyed building a few connections while at the Rendezvous. We met two other boat families who were Gold Loopers presenting at the event. One family had a boy Ewan's age, and they formed a fast friendship over their shared interests (especially Minecraft). Gwynnie has been the youngest of the kids we've met so far, but the teen girls we've met have been kind and inclusive despite the age differences.

Attending the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous was an enriching experience for our family, allowing us to connect with the Great Loop community, gain valuable knowledge, and form lasting friendships. The event served as a reminder of the incredible journey ahead and the supportive network of fellow Loopers that will accompany us along the way. As we continue our preparations, we are grateful for the connections we've made and look forward to the adventures that await us on America's Great Loop.