I can't remember exactly when it was that Jay and I first talked about doing this trip. It was sometime during last summer, but the months have gone so quickly since then that it all seems a blur of activity. We started out as a couple of people with an idea for an adventure but without much knowledge as to how to go about both planning and executing our trip. Over the past months of planning, we have come into contact with so many wonderful and helpful people who have fielded our many questions and helped us with the route, equipment, camping logistics and much more. We would be far less prepared if it were not for family, friends and new acquaintances willing to share their knowledge and advice.
Our boats just came in to Ron Sell's shop in Dexter. From what Jay tells me, they are a beautiful pair of Bell Rob Roy 15 watercraft. Ron will be working on customizing them over the next couple of months, putting in foot pedal controlled rudders, making attachments for catamaran poles, and working on a sailing rig for the Lake Erie section of the trip. Because I am still at college in Oregon, I won't be able to see them in person (or paddle mine!) until June when I return to Michigan. Yet another thing to be excited for after graduation.
With our whole route planned out and the general time frame determined, plus having the boats in the shop, I'm realizing that this is really going to happen and am completely stoked (to use a word tossed around all the time here on the West coast). Spring has already hit Oregon, and the warm weather, singing birds, budding trees and blooming daffodils are getting me excited for paddling. I'll just have to alleviate my excitement by filling out customs forms, figuring out where we're going to get some of our equipment, and bugging Jay to send me pictures of the boats as progress is made on their customizations.
Here's a link to a map of our trip. We're leaving July 1st and are planning on about 6 weeks, give or take a few days.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=103050013381666458351.000480d47c15da5fad7fc
Eventually I'll figure out how to put it up as a link on the main page. Rather new to this whole blog thing, so bear with us. This place will eventually look less empty and forlorn... We'll put up some pics of the boats as soon as Jay takes them. Though updates here will be slow at first, hopefully things will get rolling more as spring gets to Michigan and Jay can get out and do some paddling on the Huron to scout out the conditions. We're still trying to figure out a good way to update friends and family online during the trip, so if anyone has any suggestions, we're all ears.
-Shannon
