Our finish video

Fish out of water

Feeling like a fish out of water, with so much focus the last few months on the Everglades Challenge, I am now just starting to feel the separation. S.O.S. aka Alan has stated in the past, he can't believe we do this just one time a year. But I guess that's what makes this event so special.

-

Kiwibird and SandyBottom are doing a great recap of the event on their blogs, so I haste not waste not to duplicate, but rather share with you the journey within. Their stories are worth a look see. Mine a fragmented glimpse of emotion, triumph and enlightenment.

-

The emotion I have felt these last few months is hard to put into words. I have seen the best in people during our preparation. It is an amazing experience to be surrounded by so much positive energy. Now to carry it over into the day to day operations of everyday work and play. I've seen perfection. A perfect ten in people... what a gift.

-

The triumph would be the satisfaction of finishing and the enlightenment continues to fill my heart and soul. I am amazed at how much I don't know and equally amazed that I have so much to offer.

-

Spending the weekend up here in the Dells with my girls makes me happy. Seeing my 16 year old daughter smile makes me happy. Seeing Boo grow from the experience is well a gift not soon forgotten. I feel full-filled.

-

I got a chance to catch up with a dear friend "Beezer" yesterday. We can go for months not talking and can get into a conversation like we just say each other the week before. An A cat sailor, he followed the EC, watching it unfold as others did globally. He knows Lumpy and Bumpy from sailing Tornado's back in the day. Intrigued, entertained and amazed. The EC touches people. How cool is that.

-

An EC board of directors has been formed, so there are more great things coming from the WaterTribe. I encourage all to keep an open mind and consider the possibilities by putting together a campaign to attend one of these events.

-

People are asking me how an 11 year old girl finished, while almost 1/3 dropped in the harsh equipment battering, high winds event. Still waiting for Boo to tell her story. She looks at me with those beautiful eyes of hers and just smiles. I'll follow her lead.

-

We all make choices - Jesse Moreno

For Manitucruiser

Looks like we both are having a return from adventure to remember! Paddling that Leinies Canoe in the sky is a great idea! Thanks for taking me out for a virtual beer!

Watch your parking meters! - Bob Dylan

A new perspective or enlightenment

There is a great quote that really brings clarity on what I experienced with Boo this past Everglades Challenge.

Boo's insights and vision, her ability to adapt overcome and persevere, is unique to her and her alone. How fortunate as a father to witness the growth the development of such a young person. Our future as a society is our youth. We should respect and honor this transformation. Poetry in motion.

You are really individual beings, with very special talents, and it would be nice if teachers had the time, or parents had the awareness or skill, to see the children as the very individual, very special beings that they are. So that rather than trying to drum them into one category, they are, instead, appreciating the special insight that each child brings to the sea of diversity and contrast which is the stuff that creation comes from. - Abraham and Hicks

The morning of

Still smiling

Our return flight home was for the most quite entertaining. Boo and I had the opportunity to do 6 hours of people watching as our flight was delayed due to the 12" of snow Cleveland received the previous day.
-
Boo had her trademark smile and an appetite to match. We spent the better part of the day talking mostly on anything that popped into Boo's head. Her insights on the Everglades Challenge and her thoughts on life, post the event...well I hope she can put them into words. I was quite moved by them. Very insightful.
-
The Everglades Challenge is a grand adventure. So many different approaches to obtain the same result. Finishing. An amazing experience, it just unfolds in front of you. The freedom and perpetual motion is so pure. You feel so connected to earth, apart of it, alive.
-
When faced with adversity and extreme challenges, children have the ability to really shine, if you let them. - The Capt'n

Success

Manitucruiser - Super Boo - dabisuit (aka the capt'n)

-

What an outstanding time we had on the Everglades Challenge. Made very special by teaming up with Manitucruiser aka Mark from Kruger Canoes and my daughter Super Boo aka Marissa.

-

It's the people involved as much as it is the actual participation. Such inspiration. So many stories. It defines WaterTribe.

-

Marissa is home with her mom but is really on cloud nine. She was a true participant. No duffing on her part. In classic Super Boo form.

-

Happiness can be found in the most remote places with a little heart and soul - The Capt'n