GL: talk about a great loop!

[Winter Harbor Marina]

Good Morning Fellow Loopers,

Hope you are all doing well. It's been a beautiful summer here in
Brewerton, NY (Erie Canal) I have no complaints with the sun :-) I'm
writing to share an adventure I am just amazed with. How would you like
to start your great loop from Turkey! Well, it's just what this young
couple 33&35 and their 3yr old dog Budy did. Claudia & Alex are from the
Northern Region of Switzerland. With the tenacity of little bulldogs
they saved their money for a number of years until they had enough to
purchase a sail boat and funds to travel for 5 years. They purchased a
1988 Feltz Skorpion II, a custom built steel hull sail boat. It measures
37ft x 12ft with full keel.And like a true blue soul of the sea he knows
every inch of that vessel! They christened her 'Aledia' (ale xander +
clau dia). Their trip to date has taken them from ,Z|rich - Turkey
Marmaris, Symi, Gyali,  Levitha
italy,greece,venuzula,gambia,senagal,brasil,trinadad, Grenada,
Carriacou, Union Islands, Bequia, St. Maarten, BVI British Virging
Islands: Virgin Gorda, Marina Cay, Peter Islands, Norman Islands, Road
Hoarbor Bahamas: Mayaguana, Rum Cay, Long Islands (Calabash Bay), Exuma,
NassauWest Palm Beach to Norfolk-. The plan was to head to Alaska but
suddenly plans changed. Alexander found a lump! Sadly it was cancer. He
and Claudia contacted his parents in Switzerland and his father went on
the internet and found a hospital in Upstate New York for him to have
Emergency surgery. Alex's father flew from Switzerland to be with them
and help with the boat. They searched out a Marina they felt could take
care of Aledia, while Alex goes home for radiation treatment. We are so
proud they choose our marina to store their boat - yet very sad it is
under these circumstances. During the time they prepped Aledia for
storage I was just amazed by what wonderful bright & positive people
they were. Like so many of you who have come to our docks-each with an
adventure, a personality,a history, a story.You are  all like great
chapters in a book I never want to put down!  There boat is here with us
until they return and we will care for it as we care for all our
boats,like they are our children. They may not have made the "Great
Loop" but they have certainly made a Great loop of their own.  I ask,
when you have a moment to your self you give them both a fellow mariners
blessing of a strong recovery and speedy return back to their sailing
vessel Aledia to finish their dream. If you would like to view their web
site or send them a we're rooting' for you email from a fellow boater,
they can be viewed at www.aledia.ch the site is in Swiss- but it is
still interesting-and oddly enough if you look long enough many of the
words are similar in English! Or you can email Claudia & Alexander at
Crew at aledia.ch (budy too!)

Wishing you all safe and healthy travels...
Sincerely,
Leslie
Winter Harbor Marina
winterha at borg.com
www.winterharborllc.com