What It’s Really All About

It’s been interesting to see the way social media has played into the boating/cruising lifestyle over the past decade. It used to be that those of us interested in sharing our adventures would perhaps create a blog or send around an email to friends and family when we were off on a journey. That’s how we used to do it as far back as 2007. Every now and then another boater’s blog would show up on a Google search and that used to be the way we’d primarily read about the on-the-water adventures of others.

Now, with all of the various platforms, there is no end to the number of travelogues, blogs, and vlogs being put out there by boaters. For us, once we weed through the selfie-obsessed and the click-baiters that certainly take up some space, we find a real community of like-minded cruisers or boaters out there doing interesting things that we have really come to value. We always say one of the best things about the life for us is the good people we meet along the way.  And there are most certainly boaters we have only “e-met” with whom we feel a real friendship, as though we’ve been traveling together or hanging out dockside.

And then there are the people (and animals) with really exceptional stories that we might never have otherwise known about, and that’s the real point of this post.   We’re not even sure how we came to follow Tom and Hank. Maybe they followed us on Instagram and we followed them back. But we’ve been along for the ride with them for the past year and we feel that theirs is a story well worth sharing and one that will certainly warm your heart. While we had never met him, we instantly related to Tom. Maybe it’s because he boated in our neck of the woods in New York and undertook an incredible adventure. Maybe it’s because he’s an animal lover who clearly values the importance of trying to make a difference in the world. Actually, we’re certain it’s all of that. Oh, and then there’s Hank, his awesome, Jasper-approved first mate.

In the fall of 2021, Tom and Hank “crossed their wake,” signifying the end of their journey around America’s Great Loop. They single-handed and single-pawed their 32 foot Sea Ray in a 6,000-mile circumnavigation of the eastern United States. And they were on an amazing mission.

Some people spend years or even decades planning for the loop. Tom and Hank’s is a much different story. Last summer, Tom received a call from his then four-year-old superhero nephew Carson, AKA Hambone, asking his Uncle Tommy if he could bring the boat to him where he lives in Alabama – or to Memphis where he’s being treated for cancer at St Jude Children’s Hospital. And so Tom and Hank’s adventure began.

We are happy to report that Carson was able to get on board M/V Addiction back in November just ahead of some more difficult treatments at St Jude. Tom and Hank continued with the Loop, raising awareness of Carson’s form of cancer as well as funds for this amazing hospital along the way.

As Tom and Hank wind down this incredible undertaking, Carson has had a recent setback where he was pulled out of a study due to tumor progression and side effects, so we’re sending positive OLOH vibes Carson’s way and know that there are others who would love to help. We were particularly touched by one of their fundraising efforts where they are hoping to help Carson buy every St. Jude’s Superhero on campus a red wagon transporter. It’s such a beautiful program aimed at bringing a sense of normalcy to an abnormal childhood. As Tom says,

Picture my nephew riding in a wheelchair around the hospital. Now picture him being pulled by Uncle Tommy in a red wagon… Sometimes, It’s the little things.

For more info on the Red Wagon Project, please check out: https://www.stjude.org/inspire/series/st-jude-place/red-wagons.html

The following link will get you to the page of all things Tom & Hank. If you do wish to donate, use the link on that page and all of the proceeds go to St. Jude with Carson getting the credit. You’ll also see the links to follow Tom & Hank’s adventure.

https://linktr.ee/TomAndHankOffTheHook

Donate if you can and help spread the word if you wish.  Most importantly, we encourage you to check out their journey.  It will be impossible not to be inspired.  It is an exceptional example of what life should be all about.

All photos courtesy of Tom & Hank.

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It is with great sadness that we report that Carson passed away on March 4, 2022.  Our thoughts are with Tom and his family.  Carson’s legacy lives on forever.