Currently Away: How Two Disenchanted People Traveled the Great Loop for Nine Months and Returned to the Start, Energized and Optimistic

by Bruce Tate

The walls were closing in on Bruce and Maggie Tate. Isolation forced on them by the pandemic, combined with America's growing political factionalism, threatened their bonds with community and family. Something had to change. Maggie's surprising buy a boat, learn to pilot it, and embark on the Great Loop. For nine months Bruce and Maggie navigated rivers, coastal waters, lakes, locks, and loss. Against all odds, they conquered the Loop, and along the way found common cause across political divides with new friends while blowing the walls off their world.


Bruce and Maggie Tate were spiraling downward. Normally outgoing and cheerful, Maggie was broken down by pandemic isolation. Bruce, facing asthma, heart disease and Covid-related professional issues, was sure that the virus and his comorbidities would kill him. And the plant-based diet he had just started made him wish it would hurry up. Meanwhile, their country seemed to be crumbling into warring factions.


That was when Maggie made a life-changing decision. With no experience, knowing little about seafaring, inboard motors, or navigation, she and Bruce and the family dog decided to take on the Great Loop, a six-thousand-mile journey down inland rivers, around the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and across the Great Lakes. They had to navigate canals and locks, were threatened by dangerous seas, and even had to deal with heartbreaking loss. But along the way, they made new lifelong friends and were forever changed.


When, in a time of great divisiveness, two broken people took on the challenge of their lives, against all odds they found common cause across political divides and made themselves whole again.

485 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2023

Reviews

[Christopher Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad that I discovered this book completely by chance while looking for something else on The Pragmatic Bookshelf. I feel like I've gotten to know Bruce and Maggie while following along their journey of healing, loss, and discovery: of self, of each other, of America during some of the most challenging circumstances in our history. and of their fellow Loopers. Most of all, for me, it is a humbling reminder that we all have more in common than we usually remember, and that our interactions with each other don't have to be about the things that divide us.

I might just go learn Elixir now to have another little connection.

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on a personal experience with the trials and tribulations going around Americas Great Loop. Throughout the book, I could witness the growth and personal change of both Bruce and Maggie. It shows the beauty of travel and the ways travel open and expands our minds to new people, experiences, and things.

[Brian Wicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a Gold Looper and spent time along the Loop with Currently. I applaud Bruce for his honest, accurate and personal account of his public, and very private, journey. If you’re a Looper you will relate with most of the stories Bruce shares and if your dreaming of doing the Loop you’ll glean great insight from Bruce. Bravo, Bruce (Maggie)!

Brian, Jen & Dexter🐶
YOLO

[Patricia K. Diviney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey

I loved this book of The Great Loop and all the wonderful people and places remembered. I knew it had to end and the author hit the perfect note for the emotional ending. I highly recommend this book.

[Adolfo Neto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still have to process what I have just read, but this is a beautiful book.

[Maggie Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book - the honesty with which Bruce approaches his mental health, the delight and challenges of travel, and engaging with a new community during the pandemic is refreshing. I laugh with him over the hurdles of learning how to drive a new boat and cry with the death of his dog and brother. For all those who dream of adventure, go read this book!