GL: (no subject)

[Kurt Reno]

Sandra Barber wrote: >>



In May or whenever you all advise we will be going fro Knoxville south for 2
weeks to see if the loop trip might be for us later when we have appropriate
boats. For now we have a 32 ft. three pontoon cabin type houseboat with most
of the comforts. Two other couples are going with us, one in a runabout with
a cuddy cab, the other boat similar to ours but 28 ft.



Is this a doable trip in our boats? Any tips? I have most of the Skipper
Bob's recommended books and a few others.



What charts are needed? Computer and paper?



My gambling buddies wonder if there are any casinos on this route?



Don't miss places?



Any tips and suggestions are appreciated.



Leon & Sandy aboard Funmonster II<<<<





I am assuming you mean you are going south on the Tennessee river with your
present pontoon boat for two weeks with two other boats to see if you like
cruising?   Should you decide that you like cruising, you are planning on
getting a much more appropriate boat for the loop.



So, the discussion here is not about appropriate boats and the loop itself
but on what to expect on a two week boat trip and how would it compare to a
year on the loop.



First off the trip is quite doable on the Tennessee in a pontoon boat.
Pontoon boats are all up and down the Tennessee, just watch your weather.
Others here may give a better idea on charts and what to see so I will leave
that to the locals.   I will address just a few things that I see.



If you are taking this trip with the idea of checking out the cruising
lifestyle then beware of a few pitfalls in your plan. First off the two
other couples traveling with you may have entirely different agendas and
ideas about the two week trip than you.  This may badly skew the results of
how you view a cruising lifestyle should you try to adhere to their
schedules and accommodate them in ways that you wouldn't do if you were not
traveling with them.  If I wanted to simulate a cruising lifestyle on a two
week vacation, I would not try to have a well planed schedule of stops and
know where you want to stay every night.  I would keep your schedule rather
loose as in "I am going south for one week and back for one week, end of
schedule".



The real difference between a two week vacation and a year on the loop is
really the difference between a vacation and a lifestyle change. On a
vacation, you are seeking an escape from reality. In the cruising lifestyle
you are really seeking and escape to reality.



When afloat, everyday things over the long haul are much more difficult to
accomplish than when land based. This is reality. Reality is offset by
kicking back and letting your senses come alive.  The sounds, the sights,
touch and feel, the smell of the marine environment, the taste that food
takes on that you would otherwise take for granted, people, places and
events. A good dose of reality that is offset with sensory bliss are what
makes cruising unforgettable and addictive for some and pure misery for
others.