Crossing my wake is a bittersweet non-event that marks another chapter in my life closed, at least for now.
I crossed my wake three weeks ago, on August 12, 2024. That’s when I cruised into Du Sable Harbor Marina in Chicago and, coincidentally, parked in the slip right across the finger pier from where I’d started my Loop in October 2022.
No one was there to greet me. I didn’t have a fancy gold flag to swap out the white one I’d been given in Florida and had hung upside down on my bow. My life did not feel changed. It was a total non-event.
Do It Now parked in a slip at Du Sable Harbor Marina in Chicago. I had started the Loop in the slip 5 feet away.
My last day of cruising was from Waukegan to Chicago. It was a clear, sunny day, although a bit hazy. Lake Michigan was kind to me. I covered the relatively short distance in about 3 hours. I shot a bunch of video, some of which includes my thoughts and feelings about finally crossing my wake. When I edit that video, I’ll link it below.
I didn’t blog about it then. I didn’t feel the need to. The truth of the matter is that I was tired of blogging and making videos and trying to keep up with the documentation of my Great Loop Adventure.
Part of the reason for this was the nasty sinus infection I got somewhere in Canada that stuck with me as I entered the US at Drummond Island and beyond. When I’m feeling like crap and have to cover miles, it’s hard to do anything else. And I did have to cover miles. I already had a plane ticket out of O’Hare to home. Once at home, I had to connect my boat trailer and drive it 2,000 miles to the Chicago area. And then I needed to drive back with the boat. The clock was ticking. I was planning on attending the Ranger/Cutwater Rendezvous at Roche Harbor and I needed my boat launched in Puget Sound the day after Labor Day. All this was eating away at my brain and making it tough to sleep. After a full day cruising — like the day I crossed lake Michigan — I just wanted to rest.
So no blogging and no new videos. Sorry!
But it’s official. I’m done. I completed the Great Loop in my own boat, mostly solo.
You can read about what came next — including nearly three weeks with Covid — in my personal blog.
Congratulations on your adventure and accomplishments! I appreciate you sharing your journey along the way.
Thanks so much. And don’t worry. There will be more blog posts and videos. I’m waiting until I settle down at home for the winter.
Right now I’m out in the San Juan Islands attending a Ranger Tug event. I’ll be cruising into October in Puget and Desolation Sounds. Then Do It Now and I will rest for a while.
Congratulations, Maria. I’m sorry you didn’t feel well for this, honestly, major accomplishment. Not many can say they’ve done this, nor this many miles, nor even solo! And I’m so glad we were in the slip next to you on your first day roughly 2 years ago. Well done!
Yes, being sick for most of the last three weeks really put a damper on things. I know it’s a major accomplishment but I honestly don’t feel as if it’s a big deal. It’s just a long time cruising. I learned so much and met so many great people, like you and Ted. I hope we can buddy or bungee boat together again someday.
Maria, Congratulations on this major accomplishment. Great to hear. I day dream about Great Looping. I am not sure my wife has the same dream. That coupled with the cost and time, holds me back. My one question to you do you think it was worth it?
Oh, yes. It was definitely worth it. It made me a better boater. It exposed me to all kinds of waterways and cruising conditions. It gave me an opportunity to see so much and to meet so many great people.
See if you can be crew on another Looper’s boat for a while. Its a good way to try it for yourself. Or wait about a year and a half and bring your wife along for a sample cruise with me; I’m hoping to have my new boat on the east coast by then.
Maria, Thank you for your kind reply. I would love to hear more about your experience and your next boat. Take care.
No big fanfare or big crowd to welcome you. just you, your pups and “Do It Now”. to celebrate an accomplishment that few will attempt. your skill and knowledge are something I am very impressed with. Congratulations Maria on crossing your wake!!!
Thanks so much, Roy. I really enjoyed the cruise but I’m glad to be done. I’ll get back out there in a few years in a different boat. That’s the plan, anyway.
Thank you for your inspirational blog, and congratulations on crossing your wake! I had the pleasure of meeting you on Island’s Loop in ’22, at the Leland Oil dock. I plan to reread your blog as I embark on my solo Loop next year. I have enjoyed your adventures immensely. Please keep in touch.
I think I was cruising with Capt John when I met you at Leland Oil. I didn’t stop there again.
There are more blog posts coming to fill in the gaps. I just need to be home and rest up a bit first. This winter will see me producing lots of blog posts, more videos, and even a book. Stay tuned and thanks very much for the congratulations!
Bummed that COVID and the sinus infection made those last days less enjoyable, but glad you were able to finish. Congrats! 🎉🎉🎉
While it may not feel “hard,” there are many people that never finish, and many more that never start. Some of it is luck, as life is never fully within our control. The rest is perspiration. Your willingness to do the work, even when challenging, is something I’ve always admired. Just joining for a small portion opened my eyes to adventures and ideas I hadn’t contemplated previously. And … you didn’t just “do the loop,” you did it your way and on your terms. In my mind, that’s the most important part.
I think too many people start the great loop without fully understanding what it entails. You have to really enjoy cruising and living on a boat to make this journey. You also have to have the money and the flexibility to handle little emergencies as they arise. I think the folks who start the loop and don’t finish it lack combinations of these things.
For what it’s worth. I think it’s GREAT what you did
Thanks!😊
Congratulations on completing the loop, and thank you for being an inspiration as I will start down the Tenn-Tom in December as I begin my solo loop. I look forward to you further adventures.