It's Decided

The final decision has been made, Daniel is paddling 'Persephone', the replica Skin on Frame Aleutian Baidarka, that he hand-built, on the LBSB Expedition.

GPS Clocking/Shakedown Cruise

Ron and I went for a brisk paddle out and around Gooch and Rum Islands. As he had his GPS along we decided to clock our speeds. Fairly impressive results as I haven't spent a lot of time in the new girl, I'm fairly certain with a bit of tuning of my stroke, and concentration, I can bring my solo cruising speed up a bit further yet. So far I've been nothing but impressed by this baidarka.





Ron's Italian designed kayak is a speed machine, he set an impressive pace - I imagine his highly refined stroke might have had something to do with it as well.



Thanks for a great day's paddle my friend. Looking forward to paddling with you again in a year or so.  :O)

~d

...and a shot of Ron that was emailed to me!

He also sent me THIS link to the CASKE 2000 Expedition's Journals and Webpage. I highly recommend giving it a read!

Skuncs on Discovery Island

Went for a paddle with the Sooke Un-club. Launched Oak Bay Marina, paddled past Fiddle Reef to Discovery. From there went around the entire group but cut back on the inside of Strongtide

SKuncs on the Chathams and Discovery

Took Ron up on an invite to participate in a Skuncs paddle. It's a local 'Un-Club'.

Launched Oak Bay Marina, paddled out to Discovery and around the islands, cutting back on the inside of Strongtide Island.

Time on water - 4 hours

Rum Island speed run.

Went for a high paced paddle out to and around (twice) of Rum and Gooch Islands with Ron. Launched at bottom of Amhurst Drive. I was paddling 'Persephone'. Median average speed for day was 4 knots including breaks and stops on water. Max clocked speed 11km/h, with current.

Time on water - 5 hours
Time Instructing - 2.5 hours

SKuncs on Discovery Island

Went for a good fast paddle with the SKuncs Un-Club. Launch Oak Bay Marina, around Discovery and the group, back through Strongtide and back to the marina.

Time on water - 4 hours.
Time instructing - 0.5 hours

To Do List

Getting down to the crunch... I've less than two weeks until launch... the weather is gorgeous, sunny, and perfect for paddling. Can't wait to get going.

~d



To do list:



Pick up last of absolutely necessary gear, the comforts will have to wait.

Monitor water consumption.

Eat LOTS.

Continue training,

- 3 days on water per week, 8 hour sessions.

- 3 walks per week, 4 hour sessions

- 3 bicycle rides per week, 4 hour sessions.

Finish deck-lines on baidarka.

Finish greenland qajaq.

Start organizing food. Peanut Butter!

Work out and post complete finances.



~d

Sunrise on the water.

Peddled to and paddled out from Roche Cove in Sooke in the pre-pre-dawn hours. Pulled out at Portage Inlet late this afternoon.

Time on water - 12 hours

Meeting an Inspiration.

I struggle with what Freya Hoffmeister 'is'. She refutes the term inspiration, but I have no other term for what I take from her - and that night, sitting in that chair, listening to her voice falter as she came to a particularily horrifying part of her journey... it felt like I was taking something very precious from her.

Dear lady, I'm fairly certain that I understand the feeling of being truly alone on the ocean, under those cliffs that dark and stormy night... and I know that despite life-changing moments like these, I still appreciate, and desire, the solitude and peace in my life that paddling provides. Possibly this is the draw of expedition paddling for free souls... and the fundamental reason I'm inspired by people like you.

Freya, I'd like to thank-you.

Thank-you,

~daniel~

First date with my girl.

Took Persephone out for a good long spin today at Esquimalt Lagoon and into Esquimalt Harbour.

Time on water - 6 hours