Have you by chance ever heard of the America’s Great Loop?
In 2023 my husband Jeff and I decided that we needed a new adventure. Knowing that we came from the New England states of Rhode Island and Connecticut, friends of ours had recommended just the ticket for us – a grand boating adventure. “Why not?” we both said.
The America’s Great Loop has taken us on the journeys that you can see on this map aboard our trusty old 1974 DeFever trawler Oyster. We affectionately call her our floating RV, and she’s been a wonderful second home. Over the last summer seasons since 2023 we’ve traveled up the East coast into the Hudson River, the Erie, and the Oswego canal systems, through Lake Ontario to the magical St. Lawrence Seaway, and up into Canada. That first “Triangle Loop” had taken us east along Canada’s lovely Rideau route to Ottawa and Montreal as well, and then south through Lake Champlain.
The full AGL route the next year took us west this time. At Lake Ontario we traveled north and west into Lake Huron’s stunning Georgian Bay and North Channel. Heading south again, we visited Lake Michigan’s charming lake towns, sailed through the heart of Chicago and followed the Midwest river system down to the Gulf of Mexico and eventually home to LaBelle. Jeff and I finally “closed” our loop in 2025 when we cruised back up the Chesapeake and into New York once again.The entire almost 8000 mile trip typically takes a year or more if done nonstop. No matter how it’s done, most “loopers” like to stop to explore and experience the high points along the way.
And that we did. I am telling you all of this because one of the greatest highlights of our journeys that neither of us expected were the history lessons brought to life for us both in the U.S. and in Canada. We visited historic sites both humble and renowned, always coming away with much clearer understandings of the dynamics of the Revolutionary War, the founding of this country, the Civil War, Prohibition, slavery, and so much more. And how impressive it was to be entertained by the Band of the Ceremonial Guard at the Ottawa Capital – even by a simple fife and drum corps at Mount Vernon, too. Throughout it all I realized that so many courageous characters and acts have transformed both the United States and Canada. It has been a real treat to come to know them a bit better.
As we enter the month of July I’d like to share some simple photos capturing only the tiniest fraction of the richness of our lands. To me these images reflect a tidbit of our shared history- a history that deserves to be treasured and protected, and most especially, respected. By celebrating our past achievements (and recognizing our foibles, too) this month, my hope is that our past will ultimately guide us to a better, more just and peaceful future together. Happy Independence Celebrations, everyone!
