Team Joy Girl is in the process of transitioning from blogging to vlogging, so here is our first video introducing our new boat, Pure Joy 😊 We purchased her in Southport, North Carolina (where this video was made) but we will take her up to Charlevoix, Michigan in the Spring. https://youtu.be/f56wEhaI8QY?si=lRStI28QRzur0wZd Hope all is well …
I was a teenager when I first stepped aboard an Egyptian sailboat on the Nile river (we lived overseas and traveled extensively). Almost instantly I was seasick, even though the water was calm and the boat only gently rocked. Therefore, my entire adult life (well, up until meeting Craig), I had avoided boats and particularly …
"If you're wise, you won't scoff outright at old maritime superstitions. The sea has not yet unfolded all its mysteries." John Vigor Maritime superstitions are as old as boats themselves. Humans can't control the power of the sea so they try to appease the gods or God Himself. In ancient days, the blood of bulls …
This Spring, while preparing for our trek to Michigan, we were treated to a sweet surprise. Supreme Commander Scully had a brother named Mulder who had stayed with Sue, Craig's first wife. But recently Mulder needed a new home and Sue asked if we could adopt him. Heck, yeah! It only took Roswell about a …
My brother Gary and I got hooked on sailing in Wisconsin during the late 1960's and I've loved the sport ever since. Back when Niki and I were looking to purchase a boat for the Great Loop, someone told me about the 5 stages of a sailor's life. They are 1) Sailboat, 2) Motorboat, 3) …
For months I'd planned a little reunion with family and friends in Holland, Michigan cause I missed my peeps! Mom flew into Grand Rapids and my brother Steve drove over from Chicago. I reserved a cabin right on the campground for them, so getting together was so easy. Then my precious college buddy Deb drove …
We finished the Great Loop and earned our gold burgee! After 7238 nautical miles, 167 marinas or anchorages, 96 locks, 18 states, 2 countries, 48 friends & family visitors, 22 months (14 actually under way), here are our final thoughts as we close this chapter of our lives. Niki: I traveled the world as a …
As much as Fort Myers Beach was a crazy, loud, party town, beautiful Captiva Island, just north of Sanibel, was the exact opposite experience. What a relief to bask in its private serenity and wander along the lovely, quiet, shell-filled beaches. The historic 'Tween Waters Island Resort was built in 1931 and has a relaxed, …
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! It's been a month since we checked in at Moss Marina in Fort Myers Beach. Suffice it to say, this was not one of our favorite spots. It's a very cute town but they were too many tourists, rude boaters, loud "adventure" cruises running past …
For weeks leading up to it, I dreaded the nighttime Gulf crossing from Apalachicola to Clearwater Beach. To identify a good weather window (with few to no waves and little wind!) for a full 24 hour period is tricky. And running at night is risky, even though my experienced sailor-captain and instrument-rated pilot enjoys it. …
Team Joy Girl Adventures 