PRIOR to Nov 28, 2024 – WHILE WE WERE WAITING

While waiting for hurricane season (Jun 1 to Nov 30) to pass so we could start our Great Loop boating adventure and proceed south from Columbus, MS to the Gulf, we decided to look at our bucket list to make the most of our available time. We both wanted to visit all 50 states. The remaining states to visit were not the same for us but there was overlap. In late spring of 2024 we did a road trip to New England to see Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Did you know the flagship L.L.Bean store in Freeport is open 24/7? 

As we worked our way west, we stayed at the Inn at Ormsby Hill (ormsbyhill.com) in Manchester, VT. It is absolutely gorgeous there and quite historic. 

Next we visited many covered bridges in Vermont. Beautiful territory here, quite peaceful driving through heavily wooded small towns. This photo is from Woodstock, VT.

We stopped for a visit with friends in Binghamton NY, home for Mary Ann for 18 years and quite a few extended work travel trips in the years since COVID.  Mary Ann’s 45^th high school reunion was next on the list in Olean, NY. I traveled the most distance to attend and got a prize.

It was great catching up with friends. Where have the years gone? While in Olean we visited Rock City park.

In August, we attended the wedding of Alan’s niece in Missouri. Hey, we clean up pretty good!

From there we went north and west to visit more states. One never knows what will be encountered, like this “Tricky Toilet” sign in the rest room in Ainsworth, Nebraska.

Fields and fields of gorgeous sunflowers in South Dakota were beautiful.

Totally unplanned but the Waze app took us right through the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. I have NEVER seen so many motorcycles in one place, it was crazy!

On to Butte Montana where we stopped at a Three Bears Outpost store, which seems to b a cross between Costco and Cabela’s. Folks shop here to stock up for the long winter.  Check out this photo of their weekly advertisement and an interesting item I found on the shelf. I didn’t know you could buy bait that would help pre-season your catch!

Next stop is Glacier National Park. This photo is from Essex, Montana.

Most gorgeous scenery I have seen thus far, checkout these photos. On to Yellowstone National Park where we visited Old Faithful.

Now getting homesick so we head back to Texas with a detour though Utah to see the Great Salt Lake.

No place like home!  However we need to check on our boat so after a few days at home we head to Columbus MS. We take Nauti Nerds for a run up the Tennessee Tom Bigbee (Tenn-Tom) waterway. Water is as smooth as glass and it is a gorgeous day on spend a few hours on the water.

After some quick analysis I realize I have two states left to visit, Alaska and Indiana. That same day I get an email from VacationsToGo.com with cruise deals to Alaska. It is a sign, right? Within the month we are flying to Seattle and embarking on a one week cruise to Alaska. Here is Alan at Happy Hour near the Farmers Market.

We decide there is only one excursion we are interested in and that is to walk on a Glacier. This is a bucket list item for both of us. Unfortunately that particular excursion is sold out. I visit the excursion desk and circle all excursions with a helicopter ride and glaciers. Later we return from dinner to find tickets at our cabin door. After review, we realize I signed us up to do a four hour Glacier climbing expedition. YIKES! We wonder if we will physically be able to do this. We have been working out regularly but this sounds like a significant challenge. It turned out to be a happy mistake as we were totally thrilled with the once in a lifetime experience and were staying ahead of many who were far younger than us. Truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on earth.

Now there is one final state for me to visit so it is another road trip in October to Indiana. Then on to upstate NY to see fall foliage and have cider and donuts. YUM!

We have an early Thanksgiving celebration with Kelly before heading to the boat. She is a massive FRIENDS fan and we found this turkey hat from the famous episode where Monica wears a raw turkey over her head. I had decided to donate blood before embarking on our adventure and the free giveaway is a pair of FRIENDS themed socks along with the American Red Cross symbol. Not sure if Kelly was more excited about the socks or the turkey hat as she immediately donned both of them!