Canoe and Kayak Paddle with Purpose Nomination - Vote for us!

Deb paddling past Portland Head

Just learned today that Kayak for Safe Passage Kids has been nominated for the Canoe and Kayak 2015 awards in the category Paddle with Purpose.  This is a great honor, and now the public votes for the final winner.  Vote at: http://www.canoekayak.com/canoe-kayak-awards/vote/paddle-with-purpose/  There is tough competition, so please vote!

Down East Magazine Best of 2015 Award

Ron Joyce, Chris Percival, Deb, Walters John Gundersdorf and Danielle Chrobak at the Best Of Down East Awards evening

We were thrilled to be the editor's choice for the Best Adventurer on a Mission, for the Down East Best of 2015 awards.  They said the Down East editors went through a rigorous selection process where Kayak for Safe Passage Kids was chosen as top in its category.

Sailing Adventure of the S.V. Polaris

S.V. Polaris - what a beauty!

Here is the long awaited story of the adventures from Florida to Guatemala aboard Bernie Horn's S.V. Polaris.  It will take a few posts to cover all the action, so stay tuned!

Back Home in Maine

Back home in Belfast, where boating and art are the most visible industries.

I've been home for a week now, and am getting back to catching up on the blogging.  The next blog will be on the sailing expedition, and then one on the wonderful celebration in Guatemala.

Thank you to all who helped me and Quick update

Dear Friend,

It was so good to meet you during the Kayak for Safe Passage Kids Expedition from Maine to Guatemala.  I am finally in Guatemala, and want to give you a quick update on the expedition.

In Guatemala!

A welcome from the Safe Passage children

I finally arrived in Guatemala!  There are so many stories to tell of the adventures onboard SV Polaris with Bernie Horn and the crew who all volunteered so much of their time for this trip, bringing me and school supplies down for Safe Passage.  And the welcome in Guatemala has been so moving.  On Monday I have a media day and Tuesday is the formal celebration.  Once I am back in the US, I will catch you up on all of the stories and photos.  

Now I am still trying to get rid of my "sea legs" that have persisted for way too many days!  Guatemala looks different when it is constantly swaying and rolling.  I keep thinking it it another earthquake.  I'm heading out to try to walk it off.  Don't want to have the drunken sailer walk on TV.  Not quite the right image for Safe Passage.

Sailing away!

Exciting night.  Engines overheated.  Trouble shooting suggested water intakes for  cooling the engines.   One question was whether the engines had run to long while hot.   Would they restart once the water was getting to them?  Decided to wait for daylight, anchor in shallow water and send someone under the boat to unclog the intakes.

Fortunately the winds were favorable for the 9 hours we were without engines.  
It was magical quietly sailing along in the moonlight.

By morning the guys came up with a plan to unclog by crawling down into the engine compartment, and taking apart the water intake system.   Once they got it apart,  water started coming into the boat.   But they were ready with a stopper plug.   They were able to push the debris through right before putting in the plug.

Now all is well and we are zooming among under sail and engines.

Life on the water is never boring.   I love being around competent people who can think through problems, and have the tools to make things work!

Thanks Bernie,  Steve, Beth, Jamie and Anne!