Our first real exposure to the Looper world came when we were living full time on Kintala. We were part of the migration up and down the East Coast and out to the Islands. Along the way we heard tell of a bit of a legend. There was a boat named Manatee that was said to be a on a continuous loop, having made the circle literally dozens of times. We didn't know too much about "The Loop" and, at that time, didn't find the idea of inland river travel surrounded by land all that interesting.
We actually crossed wakes with Manatee twice while living on Kintala. We spent time visiting with Ted, though we never met Sarah. Once was in Marathon where, if I remember correctly, we were all laid up waiting on the weather to settle before taking on the Hawk Channel northbound. The other time, we were anchored in Shark River on the southwest coast of Florida heading south around the Keys. Manatee was anchored up a little further in and it wasn't too long before Ted came putting up in "Little Manatee", his tender. Both the tender and the boat sport bright orange paint. Though Ted was a "Looper" he had crossed the Gulf Stream several times and spent time in the Islands as well. So we had covered similar ground and had a lot of stories to share.
Of course we heard more about Manatee once we joined the Looper Community itself. Though it had been several years, word had it that Ted and Sarah were sill going strong. We started following them on NEBO, watching were they were to see if there was a chance we would cross wakes yet again. But it didn't work out that way. Our first try was aborted with the health issues. This time around Manatee looked to be well behind as we started pushing rather hard to make it to St. Louis, arriving nearly two months ago now.
Since getting home, we have been readjusting to land living, spending a bunch of time with family deeply missed while "looping", and getting busy on the project list. High on the list this last week was winter prep. After several days of work, all that was left was a couple of minor issues that would take about an hour. Freezing weather is headed this way. So, after a Grand Daughter's final soccer game of the season this morning, we headed out to the marina.
There has been very little activity at the marina. Once in a while we run across someone else winterizing, or the occasional marina employee. Most of the time we are the only ones around. And so it was when we stopped by the Marina's only operating head on the way to the boat. All of the water has been turned off except for the main office building , its rest rooms, and laundry. So I was utterly unprepared to literally bump into someone walking his dog as I exited the room and turned to lock the door. "Unprepared" is a bit of an understatement, I jumped like a frightened kid on Halloween.
As you have already guessed, it was Ted walking Patches, third member of his crew. I wouldn't have recognized him but for his and his boat's name embroidered on his shirt. Manatee was tied to the face dock one pier over from First Light. We chatted for a while and it seemed that Ted remembered us as well. It was agreed that after we finished the last of our winterizing chores we would drop by Manatee for a chat, finally getting a chance to meet Sarah as well.
It was one of those visits that is just shy of magical. Ted is nearly as far off the reservation as I am when it comes to all things social. In fact it would likely be more accurate to put that the other way around as it is just barely possible he is a step or two further out than I am. We are not related in any way, but we are certainly kindred souls. Sarah is a delight and, like Deb, puts up with and supports her partner with a smile and an occasional shake of the head. After a really special and fun visit, we headed for our land side home, leaving them our number should they need anything before heading south trying to beat the incoming cold.
I don't know what the odds are of literally bumping into someone you know from years ago in a place completely unexpected without any kind of planning or foreknowledge. But it will be something we smile about for a very long time.
