I am a grandmother paddling alone over 2,500 miles from Maine to Guatemala. Along the way I will be:
- telling the story of the children who live in the Guatemala City garbage dump community
- honoring their entrepreneurial mothers
- talking about the success of the Safe Passage model school and
- raising funds for additional grades for the school.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Paddle Day 5: Snowy Egrets, Flooded docks and Joaquin


Happy Chris Crolley
A tired day as I paddled against the current more than I thought I would.  Fun interactions with paddle boarders, kayakers and the media.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Paddle Day 3: More wildlife, lots of tidal nodes and lunar eclispe

Pelican lifting off
After a rest day, headed out to paddle two days at one go.  Saw alligators, pelicans, jumping fish and a swimming deer.  Glad to arrive before the thunderstorms let loose with torrential downpours!  Have to stay up to see the supermoon lunar eclipse.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Paddle Day 2: Alligators, Dolphins and Amazing Salt!

Great day on the water
After being so worried about whether I could restart the expedition, and then about whether I could handle the first long day of 19 miles, it was so nice to have a joyful day on the water, and to be with such great people!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Paddle Day 1: Small Craft Advisory, Thunderstorms and Breaking Waves: Restart

Deb launching at Belle Isle Marina - Restart!
With trepidation, I launched and headed out to winds and breaking waves, welcomed by a cool rain.  What an inauspicious beginning to the restart of the Kayak for Safe Passage Kids expedition.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Celebrating the end of an Expedition (Tom's!)

Tom Tieman nears the end of his expedition along the coast of Maine
I was honored to be part of the last leg of Tom Tieman's expedition paddling the entire coast of Maine.  Kayak camping with my kayaking group was a great way to get back into shape, but being part of the celebration of Tom's expedition was priceless!

Expedition Restarts! Driving to South Carolina

All loaded up and ready to leave Maine.
The time has finally arrived.  I'm recovered and raring to paddle again.

Friday, September 11, 2015

New kayak for the Caribbean: will it work?

Fog lifting on Cobscook Bay
I love paddling the little inflatable kayak that Innova gave me to use for the Caribbean leg of my expedition.  It's so responsive and maneuverable!  But will it work for the harsh conditions I may encounter in Belize and Guatemala?  Will I be able to carry all my food, water, clothing and camping gear in this Helios II kayak?  To answer these questions, I've been testing it out various places in Maine.