OUR WORLD IS OUR OYSTER!
When Jeff and I purchased our 40 foot 1974 DeFever Trawler OYSTER in August of 2022, never could we have imagined how much joy she would bring to us these last few years Our sweet girl may have needed a good bit of tender loving care at first, but boy, has she ever purred along the waterways with ease and grace despite her age. Jeff and I like to think that Oyster is pretty happy with us, too. Together ~ both she and we ~ have found not only a renewed sense of purpose and discovery, but a wealth of new adventures, too. Thanks for coming along as we share all our cruising fun and foibles!
WHERE HAVE WE BEEN THE LAST FEW YEARS?
HERE’S A RECAP…
(but see blogs for details!)
FALL, 2022
Jeff and I were able to come to know our Oyster and gain our sea legs as we ventured from Bucksport, Maine in Penobscot Bay. We travailed the New England coastline down to the Long Island Sound where we reluctantly “put her up on the hard” (meaning: store her out of the water) at Petzold’s Marina on the Connecticut River. It was tough to say goodbye to her for the winter - we had just finally gotten to know one another!
THE “TRIANGLE LOOP” SUMMER & FALL 2023
After receiving some much needed cosmetic care along with a few extra special perks like a new generator and other fancy items, Jeff and I launched Oyster anew. This would be our first true adventure together. We traveled the New York waterways up into Canada’s Rideau Canal and back down through Lake Champlain to Connecticut. The trip in total was over 800+ miles and included over 130 locks. Such an enthralling way to begin!
THE TRADITIONAL “AMERICA’S GREAT LOOP” PART 1
SUMMER & FALL 2024
Jeff and I traced last year’s wake through the New York waterways (Long Island Sound, Hudson River, Erie & Oswego Canals, but this time crossed Lake Ontario to enter Canada’s Trent Severn Canal system as opposed to the easterly Rideau Canal. This fantastic journey took us into Lake Huron, where we explored the stunning and immaculate Georgian Bay and North Channel before heading back down through Lake Michigan.
From Lake Michigan we entered the mid-U.S. river system that took us all the way from Chicago down to the Gulf of Mexico. Talk about incredible! When we finally crossed the Gulf of Mexico to work our way to our little Port LaBelle Marina along the Caloosahatchee River east of Ft. Myers, Jeff and I felt like experienced sailors for sure.
ON OUR WAY TO “CROSS OUR WAKE” AND BEYOND!
SUMMER & FALL 2025
Woohoo! We and Oyster will complete our AMERICA’S GREAT LOOP adventure together in New York City Harbor. This is traditionally called “crossing your wake”, which means that we will have ended where we had begun. At that point we will have earned the right to exchange our white America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association white burgee (flag) to proudly bear a fancier gold one. Yessirreee!!
But our travels will not end there. Once again we will travail the Northeast coast to hang out and explore more of Maine. And yes again, Oyster will winter in Connecticut again.
SUMMER & FALL 2026
THE “DOWNEAST LOOP” AROUND THE CANADIAN MARITIME PROVINCES? We sure hope so!
COME ABOARD OYSTER WITH US!
trishlaplaca 
Hi Trish and Jeff. I’m really enjoying following you on your journey. John died last October so following your journey brings back happy memories of our many boating adventures. Cheers,Monica
Oh, Monica, Jeff and I are so very sorry. John was such a wonderful, adventurous soul. We can only imagine how much fun you two had boating as well as in Costa Rica! Thank you so very much for tuning in and keeping in touch. You triggered so every fond, sweet memories of our fun times together. We send you you our love and a big hug!
I’m enjoying following your adventure. I’ve biked the Erie Canal a couple of times, most recently in 2022 when I rode through a lock, both up and down, on a tourist boat. Great fun. It looks like you are having some beautiful weather, maybe you just don’t take photos on the rainy days. It’s nice to see you smiling faces and relaxed outlook. Onward!