DOCKTAILS and the FRIENDS You Meet

Docktails or Dock Tales was always a great time to gather with new and old friends. Every Docktails is as different and as unique as the Loopers who host or attend them. About 10 days after we left Sandusky, we participated in our very 1st Docktails in Port Sanilac on the West side of Michigan where we met Julie and T.J. They invited us over to their very small Ranger Tug Boat and Pete and I were sooo excited. Loopers – Our People!! They provided drinks and snacks and we chatted and learned about their Self-composting toilet. We found out that they are looping in segments like we are, so our hope is to meet up with them next year when we start out again.

Our next Docktails, was with Michelle and Duane whom we met at Mackinac Island. They too invited us to their boat which was right next to ours at the Marina. Michelle is an Aussie and Duane is from New Zealand. Duane is still working while on the Loop and they need to stop and stay in one place for a bit while he travels for business. Once we headed south on Lake Michigan, we would have days where we would stay in places due to weather. So we would either do Docktails with the other Loopers or all go out to dinner to discuss and share our tales. LOL . It’s interesting as you aren’t supposed to have a schedule while Looping, but everyone does have something in mind that they would like to accomplish or places they would like to be. Consequently, you might be with one Looper group for awhile and then you might encounter or meet new Looper friends as you move along. It’s possible to meet Loopers in one place and not see them again for a few weeks or maybe not connect again at all.

This Docktails took place on the Western side of Michigan. There are only 2 couples in this group, that we never cruised with or encountered again down the way. But the gal in the straw hat and black band is Teresa and beside her is husband Mike in his straw hat. We didn’t connect with them again until we met up on the Mississippi River at Hoppies like a month later. They were traveling with their boating buddies Wendy and Bob who we hadn’t really met this particular night.

This Docktail Dinner took place at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa,Illinois. Almost everyone in this picture we had traveled with for a bit. The couple on the far left, Maria and Fernando, are fellow Florida Gators – Chomp!, Chomp! The two Canadian couples that we traveled with were Leo and Donna are in the back left corner and Steve and Dodi are flanking me. Tall Lee is sitting beside Pete and is technically a Solo Looper, but his cousin Jacki joined him for a bit and then his buddy Jon. Dave and Karen were traveling with Patty and Gary who are hugging one another. We had encountered them a few different times along the way and they were the couple who chose to gift us with “The Perpetual Prank Planter”! Maybe that’s why they are smiling so broadly!

The idea is to gift the Planter to a new Looper who hasn’t had the privilege of receiving it. Inside the basket is a baggie with a note on how to carry the tradition on as well as Looper Cards. What are Looper Cards? Glad you asked! When you meet someone for the first time, you hand them your Looper Card with your information. Below is our card that we hand out to fellow Loopers. When you get their card, you write down where you met them. We have a whole stack of cards and may have to order more cards for the next segment!

The one message that always came through the AGLCA Forum Posts was that the people you meet will become lifelong friends. Pete and I believe that is true. The other Loopers that we have met have shared similar boating experiences especially the ones we have traveled with and cruised along with for awhile. Someone mentioned that since we have the technology, it’s much easier to stay in touch or to connect with one another. When we arrived at our Final Spot for this segment, Pete and I were wishing that we could continue on with the group that we had become so close with and had shared the same traveling experiences as well.

IT’S TRULY THE LOOPERS YOU MEET THAT MAKE IT FUN!