Another week in Marathon, Florida, has come and gone, and we’re really starting to feel at home here! We’ve fallen into a comfortable routine juggling the workdays, spending time with other Loopers in the area, and discovering new spots around town.

Once the workday wraps up, we make it a point to get on land or hop in the dinghy and explore. One ride we keep coming back to takes us from the mooring field through Sister’s Creek and out to Sombrero Beach, which is a favorite for all of us, but especially Ripley, since it’s dog-friendly. Over the past three weeks, we’ve watched countless sunsets from the sand while Ripley gets some much-needed time to run free.

Those three weeks are worth noting because this has been the longest stretch we’ve stayed in one place all year. We’ve fully embraced the slower pace of life here and are enjoying a pause from constant route planning, which makes this next part bittersweet. We’ve had a change of plans, and you, Lakeland readers, are the first to hear about it!

Our original Great Loop plans always included a side trip to the Bahamas before officially “crossing our wake” in Stuart, Florida. However, since the start of the New Year, Evan was asked to return to the office after a year of working remotely. At first, the news was bittersweet. It meant acknowledging that this incredible adventure was truly coming to an end. We always knew there would be a finish line, but seeing it come into focus has a way of pulling you back to reality. We set out with a goal in mind, and well, we’re about to complete it!

After much reflection, we’ve come to see this as God’s plan for us. We’ll cross our wake in Stuart, and while some logistics are still being worked out, we do know that we’ll be selling Northern Attitude at some point this year. Until then, we have just under six weeks to soak up every remaining mile and moment of our final days on the Great Loop.

Speaking of soaking up every remaining mile and moment…we’ve been doing just that! We are still on a quest to dine at as many restaurants in Marathon as possible before our departure, and we checked off the taco food truck Takeria La Palapa last week. The truck is nestled behind palm trees, covered by a palapa, and surrounded by colorful plants, making it maybe the most serene food truck experience we’ve ever had. 

We also rounded up a group of fellow young cruisers to take on the famous paella at El Siboney. The menu claims it feeds four to six people, but even the six of us still walked away with leftovers. That same crew ventured out to Sombrero Reef for a day of snorkeling and fishing, though the choppy seas cut the trip short. Even so, we shared more laughs than our bellies could handle and made memories we won’t soon forget.

The week ahead looks to be an extremely windy one, so I’m sure we’ll be kept on our toes. With some family coming to visit over the weekend, we’re hoping to sneak in a day trip down to Key West. Cheers to rolling with whatever comes our way and continuing this adventure.