It turns out that one great loop for Paul and Jean Miller is just another small step in their amazing journey together. The Churchville couple joined the ranks of other brave "Loopers" around the country by spending the last year on a houseboat traveling the nearly 6,000 mile loop, cutting their trip just 700 miles short when their boat needed repair in Delaware. The couple, who have been married for 44 years, sailed from July 15, 2003 to June 11, 2004 through New York to Canada to Michigan to Kentucky to Alabama to Florida to North Carolina, to Delaware and all parts in between in hopes of completing the Great Loop. They traveled in their 41-foot Holiday Mansion houseboat that they bought 10 years ago. While they did stop short of their ultimate goal, they will head back to finish up as soon as their boat is ready to join them. "We'll go back as soon as we can," Paul said. "We have to finish what we started." The Millers have spent a great deal of their lives together going from adventure to adventure. "Really the only constants in our lives are our marriage, and our love of our children and grandchildren," said Jean. "Besides those, we are always trying new things." It is evident even in their life on land. The couple, who met for the first time while taking night classes at East High School, still find themselves sitting next to each other in a classroom. "We love the continuing education program that Churchville-Chili offers," said Paul. "We've taken classes from Spanish to genealogy." Jean, who is retired from Churchville's Post Office, has served on the Town of Riga's Conservation Board. Paul, who used to work in data processing for a local manufacturing company, has served as Riga's deputy town supervisor. They both spent three years volunteering for the local Red Cross Chapter. They take any opportunity to travel. The couple has spent summers for the last decade living on their houseboat and traveling up and down the Erie Canal. "Twenty five years ago we stopped giving each other gifts for special occasions," Jean said. "Instead we give each other something like a balloon ride, a helicopter ride or a trip to Europe." The couple drove a motor home to Alaska and traced Paul's genealogy to England. Next summer Jean is hoping they can visit Iceland. This drifting from place to place probably prepared them well for their most recent nautical adventure. The boat ride began with two of their favorite people on Earth, their granddaughter, Stacie, and their grandson, Roger. Their grandchildren stayed on board with them until Oswego where they were met by their parents and unloaded all of their possessions. While they were no longer part of the journey, they (along with the Millers' sons Paul Jr. and Roger and their wives, Kathy and Kelly) were a great reason to dock every five weeks and come back home to celebrate birthdays and other special family moments. "We went through quite a few frequent flier miles," Jean laughed. From there on out it was about 50 miles a day for the next 11 months. Most of the time, they worked as a team with Paul as the captain, and Jean as the navigator. Each night they docked for Jean's peace of mind, and for the benefits that come with access to the marina. Before sleep, Paul would map out the coordinates for the next day's journey. Dinner was many times shared with fellow loopers, or boaters who happened to receive the boating newsletter that the couple produces and distributes four times a year. Several times their adventure was intensified due to high waves, or shallow water. Days were routine with many everyday duties. But life was kept fresh by the sights that they took in and the people they met. Jean said she enjoys the way of life that comes with living on a boat as much as she enjoys the new places she sees. "I love that the houseboat is compact and you can only have things around you that you really need," said Jean. "It is just a different way of life. You never think to lock your boat. When you dock you find yourself riding with a stranger to get groceries. Almost everyone is very friendly." While the trip was a long-time dream for Paul it meant something much different for Jean. "This wouldn't have made my top 10 list of things I wanted to do, but I am so glad I was able to do it," Jean said. She is disabled with chronic back pain and the trip opened her eyes to how capable she can still be. Paul was proud of his shipmate. "She was a great help on the trip," Paul said. "After a lifetime together, being with Jean is as natural as having two hands." To read all about the Miller's great adventure, check out their webpages at hometown.aol.com/pwmboat/myhomepage/newsletter.html. |
