Now when Sam first started talking about traveling around the Great Loop, I thought he was crazy.

I also thought that he would lose interest and move on to another idea.

He didn’t.

So, I started looking more closely at some of the stops we would make and the sights we would see.

I got excited about going to the Florida Keys, seeing Chicago from our boat and of course, being up close and personal to the Statue of Liberty.

This was really going to be exciting.

The Day Had Come!

It was time.

Planning was in the works.

We had a buddy boat to go with us and take the “money shot” of our boat in front of the Statue of Liberty.

I was so excited!!!

Then, I looked outside.

Dense fog.

DENSE.

I could barely see 50 feet out.

I casually mention this to Sam.

We’re going anyway.

Go or No Go?

We recently attended the America’s Great Loop Cruiser’s Association (AGLCA) Spring Rendezvous.

Many times I heard mention a “Go or No Go” plan.

This is where the couple, if applicable, must both be in agreement before heading out to the next destination.

We, however, do not have such a plan.

Not yet.

Land of the Fog

We left Great Kills harbor in Staten Island and headed out around 7:15 a.m.

I may have mentioned to Sam about how foggy it was again.

Then, I mentioned it again.

And again.

How was I going to get great pictures of us coming into New York Harbor and Lady Liberty from afar?

Or even close up for that matter.

Sam kept saying, “Oh, don’t worry. It’s going to burn off before we get there.”

He would point and say, “See, it’s already better.”

What I actually saw was dense fog.

No change.

ARGH!!!

New York Harbor Traffic

We saw through the fog there were large barges and ships but they were anchored and not going anywere.

There was no sign of kayaks, paddle boards or jet skis which I found out later dodging those could be an issue on a sunny day.

We did see several speeding ferries taking New Yorkers to work.

Thank God our buddy boat had AIS (Automatic Identification System).

AIS is a digital VHF radio-based transponder system that can prevent collisions and can protect your boat from being run down by a huge, fast-moving ship, barge, etc.

Can you see how important this would be when it’s foggy?

Yeah.

We’re getting one.

Sam cranked up the volume on Kenny Loggins singing Danger Zone.

And although there were only a couple of tense moments, we were never in danger and but was still fun to sing along.

There She Is!

Sam said, “I see her!!!”

This is what I saw.

Ah, man!

But as we got closer, I could see her better.

And then a little better.

Until we were right there.

I was speechless.

And immediately overcome with such gratitude for being an American.

If you haven’t seen the Statue of Liberty in person, make every effort to go.

You’ll feel what I mean.

On to Half Moon Bay

After that awe inspiring cruise, we went on to Half Moon Bay located in Croton on Hudson, New York.

It was still foggy.

I was still waiting for it to “burn off” as promised.

We finally arrived at Half Moon Bay Marina and Steve, the dock master, met us to help us get in the slip.

He gave us general info and a map of the area so we could find some fun.

We ended up renting a car from Enterprise (45% off for loopers) and ran a few errands, loaded up on supplies and felt normal again riding in a car.

We stayed a couple of nights and enjoyed beautiful sunshine the following day.

We had great fun at Docktails with other loopers and had a fabulous Italian dinner with our buddy boat friends at Fratelli’s Trattoria.

Wouldn’t Change a Thing

Even though we traveled in the fog, I was reminded by my sister on our buddy boat that this is our journey.

Our pictures may be foggier than some but this was our experience and I wouldn’t change anything about it.

I hope you treasure your days even when they don’t turn out as planned.

Our Thoughts

Our Trip