This is the beginning of an adventure almost eight years in the making. We’re Alice and Garland and we will be traveling along America’s Great Loop. Join us!
Getting Here
Way back in 2016, we began to dream of a return to boating. We were staying on Captiva Island and celebrating our 25th anniversary where we enjoyed just walking along the docks. At breakfast on morning, we saw the cutest little boat. We both grew up boating on ski boats on lakes (Garland) and sailboats in the Gulf (Alice), but we both were draw to this little, red Ranger Tug. We started the dream that day. Where could we go on a boat like this?
A Dream Deferred
As we entered the empty nesting years in 2016, we also took on caretaking for our parents. We continued to visit boat shows, watch a lot of YouTube videos, and started to see the Great Loop mentioned quite often among boaters in the southeast where we live. As the years passed, we started to think this adventure might never happen. We actually chose a boat to begin in 2024, but Hurricane Helene hit and we cancelled yet again as we rebuilt. Two years later, we took delivery of ALIGARO and began finding our way back to our Great Loop dream.
Preparing for Our Loop
One of the things we learned while waiting was the value of the Looper community. We joined America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA) and discovered so many others dreaming and preparing to take this journey. We also met countless “gold” Loopers who had completed the 6,000-mile journey. This organization and these news friends made it possible to learn about living aboard a boat, navigating the Great Loop, and making sure we were educated and prepared for a safe journey. If there is one thing we always share with other dreamers, it’s to join the AGLCA.
Meet Our Vessel
MV ALIGARO is a Ranger Tug R-29 CB. Even after falling in love with a Ranger Tug 10 years ago, we spent years looking at every possible type of powerboat you can imagine. But we came back to this rugged little trawler. Her smaller than average size (33 ft versus the more typical Loop boat of 40-45 ft) makes her nimble and easy find space for at marinas. Her single diesel engine will make the trip as fuel efficient as possible when traveling at trawler speed which is 6-8 knots. Being Floridians who are used to sudden weather changes, we also like that she is semi-displacement and can get up to about 20 knots when we need it. This along with a comfortable living space was important. Ranger Tugs are known as the “Swiss army knife” of boats. ALIGARO checked most of our boxes for our Great Loop journey.
Meet Our Crew
We are Alice and Garland and will be sharing all of the duties and responsibilities on board. Growing up in boating families made us very intent on polishing our boating skills, navigation abilities, and even special skills we hope never to need like nighttime operations. We attended a week of trawler school at Trawlers Great Lakes in 2024 receiving certifications in basic, inshore and night operations by U.S. Powerboating. We also trained on our boat with two delivery captains in Puget Sound at Ranger Tugs in Tacoma, WA during the fall of 2025.
While both of us are trained and certified in operations, we gravitate to different roles. Garland is generally the captain and Alice the navigator. You might wonder who the highest-ranking officer on our vessel is. Well, that would definitely be Oslo, our beloved dog. He fills the role of admiral and keeps us hopping. As a lifetime adventurer, he has spent time camping and exploring trails…however, the water will be a new experience for him. Follow along as we all find our sea legs.
And last, but not least, if you would like to keep up to date with us along the Loop, please sign up for our FREE newsletter.
Comments
24 responses
This is amazing! Making it happen. Be safe and make more memories.
We can’t wait! Thanks!
This is exciting to follow! Wishing y’all the best. Question – how tall is Garland? Is height an issue for living aboard the boat?
Thank you! Garland is 6 ft and the ceilings work well for him. No ducking or hitting his head.
Looking forward to your journey. Will you have a YouTube channel?
Thanks. And, yes, we will have an Aligaro Loops YouTube to follow along, too. Keep your eyes out for our first short.
So very excited for you all! We look forward to following you and your adventures!
Thank you!
Sounds really cool! Looking forward to living vicariously through your adventures!!
Thank you!
Amazing! Looking forward to following this journey. Love you guys!
Thanks, Charles. We’re glad you can follow along. Love you guys, too!
I am thrilled to see you guys embark on this adventure! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! Love you guys!
Thank you, Tina. I’m so glad you’ll be coming along for the journey. Love you, too.
There’s nothing better than making your dreams come true!!!! God bless you both on your beautiful journey❤️
Thanks, JoAnn. You’re so right about sticking to it when you have a dream no matter how long it takes.
This is awesome! Can’t wait to see you all this summer!! Safe Travels!
Thanks, Bryce. Seeing you all in Michigan this summer will be a highlight of the trip for sure.
This is wonderful! Very excited for you both ( & Oslo) – will definitely be following along! You are ready – safe travels and calm seas ☀️🌟
Thank you, Irene. So glad you can travel along with us!
THIS is amazing!! I’m so excited for you! I love the boat!
Thanks, Michelene!
I just read your post to our whole family and all as we can say is wow wow wow what an adventure this is gonna be! We’re so thrilled for your dreams becoming a reality. That’s what life is about. You’ve worked so hard and now you get to enjoy being out and doing the things that you guys like to do. Have a wonderful blessed time. We will definitely be following you guys And we love you so much. Talk soon.xoxoxo😘🙏🏻🛥️⚓️
Thanks, Lisa! Love you, too!