Starting Our Great Loop Adventure from Washington, NC

Today marks the beginning of something big — the start of our Great Loop journey from Washington, North Carolina. It’s fitting that we’re launching from here, because this is where our boat, Odyssey, has been waiting patiently for us. Although, to be fair, she won’t be Odyssey much longer. We’re in the middle of preparing for the official renaming ceremony, and if you know anything about boating traditions, you know it’s not as simple as peeling off vinyl letters and slapping on new ones.

No, no. Renaming a boat requires a full ceremony with Neptune, a witch, candles, and ideally a mermaid. (We’re still working on the mermaid.) But soon enough, Odyssey will proudly become Pair of Jokers — a name that fits us perfectly. I’m a professional comedian, and Vikki is a killer poker player. In fact, in the poker room I’m known as Mr. Vikki, which tells you everything you need to know about who the real shark is.

Right now, we’re holding here in North Carolina while we wait for the credit union to send the money. That’s a long story — and probably a future blog post — but for now, we’re making the most of the downtime. We’ve hired a captain who will train us on the boat before we officially head out, so we’ll be ready when the paperwork finally catches up.

With a free day on our hands, we took a trip to New Bern, NC, and visited the drugstore where Pepsi was first created. It’s one of those unexpected gems you stumble across while traveling — the kind of place that reminds you why the Great Loop is so special. It’s not just about the miles or the marinas. It’s about the little historical surprises, the stories behind small towns, and the new friends you meet along the way.

If today is any indication, this journey is going to be unforgettable.