Seven days - let me count the ways

I am close to starting an adventure of a life time with my daughter Boo (aka Marissa). It has been a journey well paddled for11 years. The joy and excitement is hard to put into words, but imagine having your cake and eating it too and then a big barrel of your favorite ice-cream.
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This will be the last post on the Capt'n O Dark 30 blog till after the Everglades Challenge. My efforts will be shifting over the Adventures of Super Boo Blog. I have enlisted Laura to woman the helm of the Super Boo Blog and upload photos (sent by cell phone) while we are underway.
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SandyBottom does a great job of outlining the best way of viewing the Everglades Challenge on her blog. So I wont duplicate it here but encourage you to see what she has written.
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Think great weather, warm breezes aft of midships and check back often to see how we are doing at:
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The Adventures Of Super Boo

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The power of now - The Capt'n

Ice storm - arr surf the net

I never thought I would say I miss January paddling in Wisconsin. But we are in a major ice storm right now with an ice rink for a driveway and an ice chute for a stairway. There is so much ice built up on our porch with the dripping and the rain, that my door weather guard has been torn off and the door barely opens.

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This is my ole Sawyer Summersong canoe in kevlar. Pea green, so she is named "Sweet Pea" I love this boat. I love all my boats, but this is the canoe that is on my car most of the summer for the morning "O" dark 30 paddles. It is 30+ something pounds, pretty quick too. I can be on the water in about 7 minutes door to water.
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This is a great section of the Oconomowoc River. I've paddled this section of river for over 40 years. So many memories. My kids love it as it is right up from the Kiltie Custard Stand. I love it cause it is a magical piece of real estate tucked in between Oconomowoc and Fowler Lakes.
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This is the only on water time I got in before the Everglades Challenge. Very jealous of those farther south getting in the on water training. The cable on the paddle simulator is frayed and the slides are worn. Hoping they will hold for another two weeks. let's do this thing!!
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Lov'n the backyard adventures - The Capt'n

Bubba Girl and Boo

Did you ever have one of those days when you met someone and you hit it right off. That's what happend for me with Mary Holsenbeck, Founder of BubbaGirl. There are so many inspirational people in the world, and Mary is one of them.

I look forward to collaberating with Mary on some joint Peak Camp / Bubba Girl Projects.

A perfect fit for Boo! A BubbaGirl® is someone who seizes opportunities to grow and experience life. She is always looking for chances to learn about herself while fulfilling her dreams and potential.

A personal thank you to Kiwibird who intoduced Mary to me. Kiwibird is an extreme Bubba Girl and is highlighted on the website in an article on the Everglades Challenge.

It's all happening - Change is in the air - The Capt'n

French Dis-Connection

As I put in a good set of intervals on the Paddle Simulator ( watching the French Connection on AMC), I step outside of myself embracing the hopes and dreams that define my life...

Dream state interupted by the marketing machine the television commercial.

Boo is making a list and checking it twice for the EC ... ManituCruiser said the exact same thing as he realigned himself with the universe after the loss of his unborn daughter.

As I tumble down the rabbit hole, I catch myself - sharpening the pencil so to speak, time to work my list. - The Capt'n

Opportunity for reflection

Ava - Morgan - Annie - Marissa - John - Emily

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It is funny how the mind works when taken out of the comfort zone. When challenged with new and sometimes uncomfortable situation(s), I find comfort in times of reflection.

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I came across this photograph of my daughters, nieces and nephew while going through some files on an old desktop. I find it quite amazing how a single snap shot in time can spark so much emotion.

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I never gave this photo much thought, as I didn't label it, just filed it away. But today, as the weather dips below zero................again.... and the wind blows north northwest at about 40mph, I find this photo quite invigorating and motivational.

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Now to embrace this new found motivation - head out to start cars (- 4F ) and shovel drifting snow. - The Capt'n

Soul Slide

Hitting it hard on the paddle simulator I was immersed in a wonderful film called "Soul Slide" a film by Josh Murphy. The soundtrack is outstanding; Josh and company nailed it. Free heeled skiing at it's best.

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Take a look at his new film the Lost Season.

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What moves within us when the earth moves beneath us? What happens when our soul slides – Josh Murphy

Let's not talk...

Not good with good byes, I opted to say, "See ya soon". Kris my boss for 12 years has reached that great time of her life.... retirement. What does that mean? I can only speculate.
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Spending time with her family - spending time on the lake - spending time in her kayak - spending time with her dog, lots of reading and long walks in the woods all come to mind.
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I offered to quit my job and become her "cabaña boy", but she declined my offer gracefully.
So Kris, enjoy and see you out on the pond sometime!! You made the last 12 years a remarkable experience for me!
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Let’s not talk about the weather. But I must. We have a "possibility" of double digit snow fall in Lake Mills by tomorrow afternoon. This season has been the best, high quality snow I've seen in 30 years. Can't wait to trek around in it up in the Waterloo river basin.
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Boo has made an unbelievable recovery from her cough and cold this past weekend. She is standing tall and feeling proud. Looks so darn cute in her paddling garb!! What a little peanut! :-)
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My Lowerance GPS is giving me heaps of trouble. I wanted to do an accounting of the ease and functionability of the H2O, but I am having software - Vista problems, so I wont be using it during the EC. Now is not to go with something untried.
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Instead I'll go with chart and compass and my Garmin 12 (the brick) GPS. Now now... I know one of my nickmanes in the adventure racing world has been "wrong way weber"... But I have triple redundant back-up, Mark from Kruger Canoes. ( been down this route like 8 times) and ... Stan has offered his GPS as well with all the waypoints loaded in... so I should be golden.
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Find your happiness - The Capt'n

Boo's takes a hit

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Poor Boo. Brutal cold and cough. Got her up early after a pretty restless sleep to finish getting gear to pack up and get ready to ship out. What a trooper; she hung in there as long as she could, (trying on poly - cold weather gear) then just had to lay down. It was time to go.
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I guess if she is going to have a cold, better now then during the EC. Now I need to stay healthy. (knocks on own wooden head)
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Emi was a big help keeping Boo motivated and carryng all the "stuff" we purchased. Rare photo of Emi; almost got a smile out of her.

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We're pretty much ready to seal up the containers and ship them out. When I look at all we are sending, I am thankful we have room to spare in the Kruger Cruiser.

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Normally I would do a test load to check balance and weight. But we do not have that luxury, borrowing a Cruiser. We wont see the canoe until we get down there. But I have a pretty good idea after living out of one alot of last summer.

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There is so much to do and I'm not building a boat for the event. Hats off to the group of WaterTriber's that took on that as a challenge too.

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Hang in there Boo!! - The Capt'n