Day 16:
Christine and I awoke early on Craycroft Island to a windy morning. The marine forecast predicted increasing winds throughout the day. We had decided the night before to get in as much paddling before the winds as we could. We had a quick breakfast, packed our gear, jumped into our boats and began the journey for the day. Holding our breaths hoping the forecast would be wrong, and excited for the day to unfold and hold us in its fascinating grip.
The day did not disappoint. Up to date we had seen seven bears, all amazing encounters but mellow and appropriate. A different side of nature revealed itself to us this day as a great old bear gave chase to a small yearling. They flew effortlessly across a boulder and log strewn bay, lunged up a 20 foot cliff without a thought. The yearling rocket launched himself up a tree and 20 feet out on a limb while the older bear sat at the bottom to wait. We did not have the heart to wait and see what would unfold.
By mid afternoon the predicted winds had not come and the world took on a uniform grey as the winds stopped, the rains slowed, and Johnstone Straight showed us a softer side. We both felt good with muscles warmed up, food in our bellies we decided to keep going as long as we could. With determination in our strokes, we paddled past bay after bay, past watching seals and curious sea lions.
As afternoon turned to evening the waters around us turned silky smooth. As evening soon turned to night, we slowed our strokes and let the mood of the night envelope us as we came upon a beach to call our home for the night. Our respect for bears soon had us calling out “Yo Bear” as we set up a tarp and our bivy sacks for the night. A quick re-hydrated meal would provide our bodies the sustenance required for more paddling after a few hours of sleep. We both fell asleep exhausted but content with our amazing day.
Day 16 has been our longest mileage to date, 25 nautical Miles. This translates to 45 Kilometers. We were on the water for 13 hours with a few hours of waiting out winds, having lunch and various other breaks to bring feeling back to our neglected legs.
The Dream
If there is one thing we can all relate to, it is the notion of a dream. An aspiration that consumes us and leaves us with no choice but to follow through, making that dream a reality. Those of us that share a great love for the outdoors and the wild spaces still left on this planet understand the need to be out there. We understand that sometimes a dream is more than just a desire; sometimes it is a necessity of life.
On a quest to fulfill our need to be out there we have pursued successful careers in the outdoor industry, pouring in the same passion we have for those wild spaces in search of a purpose that will connect us. But we know that lifestyle isn’t enough, something still calls to us and when we can, we answer. This is an answer that has been 15 years in the waiting. This is an expedition that reminds us of how we got here, keeps us going through the dry times and fulfills that empty space within us all labeled ‘purpose’. This is what we live for.
On a quest to fulfill our need to be out there we have pursued successful careers in the outdoor industry, pouring in the same passion we have for those wild spaces in search of a purpose that will connect us. But we know that lifestyle isn’t enough, something still calls to us and when we can, we answer. This is an answer that has been 15 years in the waiting. This is an expedition that reminds us of how we got here, keeps us going through the dry times and fulfills that empty space within us all labeled ‘purpose’. This is what we live for.
On May 4th 2009 we will depart from Galiano Is (BC, Canada) in two single sea kayaks headed north for Glacier Bay (Alaska, US). We are two able, confident and experienced women, seeking to challenge our experience as guides through our own expedition of the entire coast we love and work on.
We aren’t heroes and we aren’t breaking new ground. We are simply two women following our dreams and in turn hoping to inspire a few other people to do the same.
We aren’t heroes and we aren’t breaking new ground. We are simply two women following our dreams and in turn hoping to inspire a few other people to do the same.
This is how we live our lives the way we have always dreamed...
It's about more than an expedition, it's about more than a sport, it's even about more than a lifestyle. This is about dreams, this is about passion, this is about listening to that need to be out there. It's about learning how to 'fly'.
We're calling it 'Crossing Borders'
Saturday, May 23, 2009
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