Can I do it?

Paddling towards the Windsor Bridge on the Connecticut River in Vermont

It's less than three weeks before I need to head to South Carolina to restart the Kayak for Safe Passage Kids Expedition, and finish the remaining 1,000 plus miles of paddling.  But am I ready for this?

Physical Therapy: He said we could do it, and we did!

Deb working with Josh Hunt at Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Getting my neck muscles back into action has not been easy.  Six weeks of not moving much after the surgery meant a lot of retraining!  In Florida, the PT was not very effective.  But here in Maine I found the best: Josh Hunt at Orthopedic Physical Therapy.

At the dock with Rob Caldwell and Innova Kayak

Rob Caldwell and Dennis Doyle setting up for the interview

Fun afternoon with WCSH6 207 crew, Rob Caldwell and Dennis Doyle, testing out my new Innova kayak.

Two More Awards for Kayak For Safe Passage Kids

Safe Passage children working hard!

I was so touched to be awarded "2015 Rotarian of the Year" by the Unity Area Rotary Club on Tuesday.  But even better was Gene Pfeiffer being awarded  "2015 Service Above Self" for his amazing role in finding me hosts every night as well as Rotary Clubs to speak to about Safe Passage.  Gene worked more than full time on the logistics to make the Kayak For Safe Passage Kids Expedition successful to raise awareness and funds for school for the children at Safe Passage.  And even more amazing, Gene is willing to do it all again for the next leg of the expedition!  

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!