The delay in adventure.....

Our friend we met in Myrtle Beach rendezvous, Mary Ellen, s/v Indigo Lady, gave us advice "look at challenges and problems as opportunities". No words could have been more encouraging than the day we set out for our first sail of the summer. Let me paint you a mind picture. 2010 the Tennessee River is flooded out of its banks, but we were two very motivated and stubborn people willing to have fun while improving their sailing skills, weather forecast calls for thunder showers for the day. Bill and I left Light House Landing marina about 10:00 am headed for a destination of about 20 miles up Kentucky Lake. Big fat thunderheads mingled with brilliant sunshine fill the sky. We stop the engine and raise the sails for the first time this year. Here we are sailing along just as tranquil as we could get but, ever cautious of the surrounding conditions. Several sailboats were already out on the lake and they looked stunningly beautiful. We were about 2 hours into our adventure of the day when a black squall appeared threatening us with thunder and lightening. Several of the other sailing vessels lowered their sails and were already headed back to the marina. Bill made the decision that we should also return, so the sails were lowered and the engine once again started we headed back to our slip at Lighthouse Landing delaying today's adventure, because of weather and lake conditions. The engine had been running rough all day giving Bill concern that something could be wrong but thinking it just needed a good run, we opened it full throttle. About a mile south of our the marina the engine sputtered then stalled. By this time the little squall was over the sun out in full force it turned out to be a gorgeous day. Here we were just sitting in the middle of the Lake. We could raise the sail or call to the marina, Bill called and we were towed. (Just a plug for our friends, Marty & Brenda Colburn at Lighthouse Landing they are wonderful people.)
Long story short the diesel fuel needed drained, new fuel, new fuel filters and minor repairs its up and running again. Lesson learned: part of the yearly diesel maintenance is to drain and add new fuel and filters.
So Mary Ellen's advice "challenges and problems are only opportunities" proved to be true and probably will prove to be true many more times as we prepare for and do our Loop adventure . I thank God for keeping us safe, for our looper friends, and for the folks at Lighthouse Landing Marina.

The fever for adventure- sailing the great loop

Well!
Here we are, our adventure will begin in 1 year 6 months.
Our plans and dreams began after taking an ASA sailing course on coastal crusing, safety, and basic coastal navigation the summer of 2009. In the winter months after the purchase of Sarayu our 27ft Hunter s/v, Bill and I learned of the Great Loop and began reading anything pertaining to the loop and sailing. We joined America's Great Loop Cruising Association and the fever began. For Christmas 2009 we purchased, as gifts, guides and began exploring the loop by book.

The Fever really hit hard when we read,"Honey, lets Get a Boat" by Ron and Eva Stob and viewing Bob and Mavis Duthrie's , "Great Loop Adventure CD." We were hooked.

We then attended the Americas Great Loop Association rendevzous in spring 2010 and was inspired by many adventerous folk who are in the process and planning their own loop adventure. We were awed by the women who cruised the loop single handedly. We now feel grateful and blessed for meeting people who we can call our family with the same destination and spirit for adventure. Now we really have the fever.

Our Sarayu is very cozy inside, the cabin just right for the 2 of us. Our galley is adequate but is simple right next to "roughing it". She has a full head-shower and vanity sink.

This summers adventures include: improving our sailing skills,
explore Kentucky Lake and share our sailing fun with family and friends while we outfit our s/v for our year long adventure.