purpose of ourowntwohands

We are paddlers from the Pacific Northwest who completed a kayak expedition around the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to raise money and awareness for the Cook InletKeeper, a non-profit organization working to protect waters quality the Kenai. Over 50% of the world's salmon are harvested from these waters.

The Kenai Peninsula is one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet - home to brown and black bears, moose, caribou, migratory birds, wolves, humpback, beluga and killer whales, sea otters, sea lions, and all five species of wild pacific salmon.

Our 500 mile long journey began May 24 in Turnagain Arm in the Cook Inlet and concluded in Whittier on June 22, 2008. By donating to this cause, you will help support the Cook Inlet Keeper.

So far we have raised $1,500 all from your contributions! Thanks so much!!

01 May 2008

notes from Nikki - Homer AK

it's definitely feeling like a late spring
last saturday had snow and roads were icey, but melted by afternoon
they are forecasted for light snow again tonight
the lake is thawed and shorebird migration is next weekend.

should be pretty nice, hoping it'll be nice, by early June
but it has been late, people were skiing in Alyeska last weekend
Alyeska is south of Anchorage
it was some of the best spring skiing they've had!

no real trends in daily weather
they were affected by bad storms from the Mongolian desert
and some fires in Russia caused some haze
the weather service has 30-day forecast out of Anchorage

she thought we'd be fine but would need some warm clothes
no snow on beaches but does melt off if so.

they are ready for some warm weather
right now the grass is just starting to grow in town
there are no flowers
hopefully by June!!

I told her we'd try to stop in when there.

Nikki - a volunteer at Homer AK Chamber of Commerce

27 April 2008

Here at Enzo's

As we get closer to departure, all the small details are falling into place. We set aside this weekend as a trip planning and prep session, as well as a time for Matt and I to connect with Bridget and Ryder so they would know a bit more about the couple their loved Mathew would be spending six weeks paddling with. Mathew, Bridget, and Ryder came up on Friday and showed up at Scott and Amy’s cabin at dusk. When we came by the cabin, Ryder was totally excited to be on Orcas and was launching his little foam rockets around the place.

As the night went on, I witnessed Bridget’s constant patience and attentive parenting of Ryder. I also saw yet another aspect of Mathew- his caring for Bridget and Ryder and attention to both of their needs.

We all met up again for coffee and trail mix on our porch Saturday morning. We made more lists, including a layout of the day, and gear-to-be-purchased list. Ryder seemed to like our place even though we don’t have trains or toys.

Matt installed foot bars in my boat and Mathew’s, we did some last gel coat repairs, went through kit and took photos.

I can’t believe we will soon leave this island our present lives and routines, to live out of these three slender and beautiful boats.

Photo taken from the beach on Waldron Island on our epic Round San Juan County trip 3/22-24/08. This what 30knots of wind does in the San Juan waters.