GL: When to leave? and Return Grt Circle Cruise

[Charles and Pat Culotta]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Stewart" <johnstewart at sanctum.com>
To: <great-loop at lists.samurai.com>
> Trying to plan a year out.  I assume late Feb./ early March would suffice, 
> but
> I would welcome the suggestions of those that have actually done this.
> John


John,

Darn good question but-------the better question is when to return.

As you know the "standard Great Circle Cruise" is about 5400 miles and 12 
months.

This is no criticism but  experience. This is too great a trip to be done 
in that period. IF you have the time,-- take your time. For instance we 
spent 11 months traveling from South Louisiana around Fla.to the Keys, Dry 
Tortugas and up to the Chesapeake Bay. Left the boat on the hard near 
Baltimore. Very reasonable cost to store and wrap it!!!!!!!
The next year, this yr, traveled fr there to Canada via the Champlain, 
Richelieu canals to Montreal, Ottawa and the Rideau canal. The Rideau is 125 
miles and we spent 3 weeks on it and it felt like a blink of the eye!!!!! 
Did the Thousand Islands and into the Finger Lakes of NY where the boat 
waits for us in Geneva.

Next season the Trent-S , Georgian Bay etc and down Lake Huron to Detroit 
and back to Geneva.

The following season to Nova Scotia, via the Erie Canal and then down to 
Maine and the Bahamas for the winter. Then home, maybe!

Right now we are abt 5400 miles and 12 cruising months into the trip and are 
not yet half way.

One day I was perusing a the charts etc and Pat asked , " Are we traveling 
tomorrow ?" I said we could if  she wanted to and that the next place to 
stop was 21 miles. Her immediate retort was, " Is there any place closer?" 
That pretty much sums up  the whole trip to date!!

Presented as an alternative. By the way we have met a few, who are taking 
the scenic route, so to speak.

CCC
CHARLES C., JR. & PAT CULOTTA
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
M/V CCRIDER
PATTERSON, LA.
http://geocities.com/charlesculotta