Captain’s Log
Heading South: A Farewell to the Bay of Five Pirates
As the sun set, we pulled up anchor and left the Bay of Five Pirates, setting our course for the Exumas. Before heading out, Ewan got in one last boat-kid adventure—fishing with friends in the bay—while we enjoyed one more round of Bahamian wings at the marina. We added our boat sticker to the ice chest, marking our time here, and after a final Grill & Chill, we moved outside the bay, ready for the next leg of our journey!
PODCAST: Navigating the #1 Boating Adventure
Join Alison on The Boater’s Lounge podcast as she shares the story of our family’s unforgettable Great Loop journey! From navigating the Erie Canal to tackling seasickness in the Gulf of Mexico, she’ll dive into the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way. Tune in for tips, inspiration, and the story behind Loop Life Academy—a resource hub for families dreaming of this iconic boating adventure.
Back to Anchor: Farewell to Marina Life (and So Much Pizza!)
After a few extensions at the marina, it’s finally time to get back on anchor! The past two weeks have been full of beach days, epic pizza nights, new and old friends, and even some homemade burger buns. Now, with full fuel tanks and one last Grill & Chill night planned, we’re ready to head back out when the weather is right.
Checking Into The Bahamas at Great Harbour Cay
After a long 85-nautical-mile journey, we arrived at Great Harbour Cay and anchored outside the harbor for the night. The next morning, we pulled into a slip at Great Harbour Marina, cleared customs, and proudly raised our Bahamian courtesy flag. We’re officially checked in—let the adventure begin!
Bahamas for 2025!
The water was more uncomfortable than anticipated, so we made the decision to stop at West End instead of Great Harbour Marina for checkin. Since we arrived after 6pm, we can’t check in, so we pulled into Ginn Sur Mer in the dark.
Breaking Free: Leaving Oriental (Eventually)
Once we finally installed our new air conditioner and spent a glorious week basking in the luxury of shore power, we knew our time in Oriental was ticking down. But the town had other plans and kept drawing us in…
Dragon Hunting in Oriental, NC
The story goes that a part-time resident of Oriental was pondering how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Oriental. Given the town’s name, he figured a dragon should be involved. The welcoming nature of the town to the “first” dragon led to more and more dragons popping up. You’ll see them all over town, and some of the dragon eggs have been officially marked as nesting grounds to help protect this legendary creature. So we went on a hunt to discover as many dragons as we could!
A Brush with History
The Zeeland Historical Society recently shared a fascinating piece of our hometown’s history, detailing the arduous journey of our founders from the Netherlands to Michigan. This story resonates deeply with me, especially after my family’s recent travels along a similar route.
The Croaker Festival in Oriental, NC
We arrived in Oriental, North Carolina, on July 2. While there wasn’t much going on for Independence Day in Oriental, we had the Croaker Festival, which had a big fireworks show planned for the weekend.
Article in Practical Sailor
As a family on a sailboat traveling on the Great Loop, our crew of four aboard Fika was a bit out of the ordinary. The first question we’re asked when folks learn about our vessel is, “Don’t you have to take the mast down?” America’s Great Loop is a waterway adventure that will lead you on a circumnavigation of the eastern portion of the United States, and there’s one thing in the way of sailboats: fixed-height bridges.
Southport, North Carolina
We’ve spent a little over a week outside Southport, NC, near Cape Fear. We explored the area's history in Southport and found a variety of places to cool off (and play chess)!
Charleston, South Carolina
Despite the oppressive heat, we enjoyed exploring Charleston on foot and engaging in local history and culture.
Savannah, Georgia
Our riverside visit to Savannah was filled with lots of culinary adventures and a fun exploration of many parks, squares, and cobblestone roads.
Discovering Annapolis' Bookish Secrets
Exploring Annapolis opened the door to unexpected bookish treasures that enriched our days in this maritime city. Our primary book destination, the library, nestled conveniently adjacent to West Marine, became a haven of knowledge during our extended stay while tending to boat matters.
Appreciating Historic Annapolis
During our stay in Annapolis, we embarked on countless walking adventures, uncovering the city's rich historical charm. Strolling through its picturesque streets, we enjoyed the architecture of the well-preserved buildings, each with a story to tell. The city's colonial past came alive as we immersed ourselves in the unique atmosphere of this historic gem.
Exploring Annapolis' Ice Cream Gems
Our family spent nearly a month in Annapolis as we dealt with work travel and windlass replacement. While there, we couldn't resist indulging in frozen treats during our adventures in this nautical town.
A Literary Haven in St. Michaels
During our boating adventure in St. Michaels, Maryland, we stumbled upon a gem known as the Talbot County Free Library. As cruisers exploring the area, we enjoyed the library's warm and welcoming atmosphere, inviting us to step inside and explore its literary wonders.
Pump-Outs: Keeping Our Waters Clean
In our boating journey, we encountered a crucial aspect of responsible boating: pump-outs. As we sailed across the Chesapeake Bay from St. Michaels to Annapolis, we found ourselves navigating the waters of waste management, ensuring that our actions were in harmony with the environment we cherished.
Exploring the Oyster Heritage of the Chesapeake
During our visit to St. Michaels, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay. One highlight was the Chesapeake Maritime Museum, where we delved into the captivating world of oysters. As we wandered through the exhibits and learned about the industry's past and present, we discovered fascinating insights into the history and significance of oysters in the Chesapeake region.
Bug-Blasting, Dinghy Rendezvous, and Sailing Delights
While anchored in Pancake Point, we found ourselves dealing with a swarm of pesky bugs that tested our patience. Thankfully, Chris had just the tool to combat the flying nuisances—a Bug-a-salt Salt Gun he received as a birthday gift the previous year.
