July 2nd found us paddling late into the evening, scrambling for a campsite just outside of Ketchikan Alaska. We found a make shift campsite and sat down to watch the lights of ketchikan fade into the night.
The next day dawned bright and early as we paddled past beach front houses, marinas and cruise ships to find the five story pink customs office in town. The officer, as ever intrigued with two females paddling for four months, quickly filled out our paper work, then listened with awe to our stories and wished us luck in the coming months.
Ketchikan-a mix of old and new. Old canaries line one section of the main street, while cruise ships and modern shops adorn the next section. A cruise down "Creek Street" revealed the red light district as it would have been decades ago with splashes of modern art stores, funky bookstores, and heritage homes.
With two to four huge cruise ships in port during the day, the town is filled with interesting questions, a multitude of language and useless shopping. But when the ships leave in the evening, the locals come out of hiding and do it up ketchikan style. We spent an evening in a coffee shop listening to local musicians playing late into the night. Upon hearing that we were sea kayakers on a long journey, they took us in as one of their own and dragged us on stage for music, offered us smoked salmon, and sent us a coast guard representative to tell us tales of the sea! What a night it was with the comfort of a mocha and good company.
July 4 (Independance Day) dawned with excitement and anticipation. The longest parade I have ever seen took place as Christine and I, with childlike enthusiasm, shared a stick of cotton candy! We were given free pie from Maggie, ate free root beer floats as we watched the duck race unfold before our very eyes. Four Thousand rubber duckies were let loose at the top of a small creek. Each duck was worth $10, and the first duck at the bottom of the creek won $2500 with cash prices for the first 35 ducks. Christine and I did not win, but thoroughly enjoyed the ducky race.
We were then dragged to the logger sports competition where we watched six strong logger lads compete for the winning two spots that would ensure their spot in the ESPN Logger Competition. We were soon the loudest fans as we cheered the men up 50 ft trees, over floating logs, sawing through thick stumps, and generally competeing for the highest level of testosterone. Impressive feats to be sure, but I don't think any of them could paddle to Alaska.
Once all traces of light from the Alaskan sun vanished, crowds gathered along the docks and marinas to watch as a very impressive fireworks display ended the celebrations. Christine and I fell into our hostel beds exhausted but happy after an amazing day of friends and fun.
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'
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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