Blessed to Finish our Great Loop at Prince William Marina (#123)

Our final journey on our Great Loop was a bit surreal.

We decided it was important to fly our gold burgee as we had already crossed our wake. This would be our final journey on the Sparkling Star, and our first journey as Gold Loopers.

The day was smooth as glass. During our time as boaters, this bridge was constructed. The first time we were every called out by a commercial vessel by our name was at this location in 2020. We were traveling at about 17mph, and we got a call asking us to Slow Bell. We were unfamilar with using our VHF so were a bit rattled, and had never heard the term slow bell. We figured slowing down as a great plan especially since they had workers on cranes on floating barges.

Going through on this visit, the bridge was complete and the concrete pilings from the previous bridge seem to be removed completely.

The last tug we saw on our last journey was appropriately named "Captain Ted."

Then the seagulls started following us in as they were looking for breakfast in our wake.

Our eyes got a bit watery when we spyed our friends on Blessed waiting for us. Robin actually taught us, and more specificially Laura, how to drive the Sparkling Star. He explained that his wife Bernadette was a fantastic captain, and that women excel at driving boats.

Laura always takes over the helm 30 minutes before docking. It was an honor to follow our friends, and fellow female captain, Bernadette, in our last mile of the Loop.

When we arrived we were greeter by our friends and fellow Gold Loopers as we pulled in. We are the fourth Gold Looper in 6 years from our marina. For the past three years, we have had continuous Looping: Eagle One (2019), Crew Lounge (2023), General Fun (2024), Sparkling Star (2025).

Our next door neighbors in our dirt home in Springfield joined us.

The infamous Matt Angle, who singlehandedly, did most of the upgrades to our boat over 5 years. He was with us in spirit, and available on fast dial, if we ever had questions.

Sparkling Star Great Loop Journey

First idea & Boat Selection: September 1, 2019

Purchase: October 6, 2019

Christening; October 19, 2019

Start Loop: April 30, 2024

Complete Loop: April 25, 2025

5 years, 7 months, 25 days

Great Loop Days: 360 Days

Days both on boat: 300 Days

Stops: 122 Stops

• Marinas: 113

  • Dockwa: 36

• Walls: 4

• Tugs/Barges: 2

• Anchoring: 3

Longest Stay: Orange Beach Wharf - 2 months

Rental Car Dates: 85

Hotel/Condo/Hospital Days: 60

Voyage:

Miles: 5866

Average speed: 8.1 mph

Side Trip: Chattanooga

Plane Trips: Laura - 3 (California, Austin, DFW); Ted - 1 (DFW)

Medical: Seasickness: Laura: 2-5, Ted (0); Hospital Stays: Laura (1), Ted (0)

We had visits from friends and family in our days at the marina.

Ted's cousin Eddie Page and Christine joined us.

Ted's friend and former Co-workers joined us. (Doug and Jennifer)

Our favorite West Springfield Neighbors.

The Great Loop was a journey of a lifetime, filled with highs and lows, stress and calm, fear and laughter. We joyfully completed this journey as Team Angle. We feel blessed that we were able to finish the Great Loop with the help and encouragement from our new friends, old friends, family, and everyone who reads this post.

Thank you for being part of our adventure!

Prince William Marina

Stay: Home

Pros: Great docks, fabulous support staff, close to our dirt home, great restrooms, free laundry, protected from weather, located next to Occoquan with delicious food

Cons: Leaving...

5+++ Stars