We paddled into Whittier at 1:00 pm on Sunday June 22nd. Steve and Noel (Matt's wonderful parents) awaited us onshore and before we knew it we were on the road to Anchorage driving along Turnagain Arm.
There is so much to write about our trip...and the time will come for that as well. What I am feeling strongest now is the need to slow down and reflect on what we have done, where have traveled. Life moves so fast, it's easy to slip back into the routine, without realizing the insights of our adventure. When we live in the outdoors we live simple lives- long hours are spent just moving through the water and watching and listening. Our clothes, food, shelter- it's all basic and time stretches out into long days. When I turn on a faucet or open a refrigerator, I am reminded of how little we need and how much beauty exists on the edge of the sea.
25 June 2008
Completion and Reflection
22 June 2008
WE MADE IT!
at about 1300 today we landed in Whittier, to the warm welcome of Steve and Noel. we were soaked, as was all our gear! so now back at their house in Anchorage, now trying to dry gear and get things a bit organized. next, a shower...
thanks for all the support! it worked!
much more soon...
matt, djuna, mathew.
21 June 2008
day 29 - whittier around the bend
tonight's signal came in at 7:36 pm alaska time and shows them at the mouth of cochrane bay, about 15 miles from Whittier, the take out.
an incredible journey. a plan put into motion. they've covered nearly 500 miles in 1 month, and as the blog says, with their own two hands. many hands await their return to cheer and hug these strong and courageous paddlers.
thank you for keeping them in your thoughts and sending so much positive energy their way.
bienvenidos amigos
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20 June 2008
day 28 summer solstice, padders remain still
"may you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. may you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. may the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of light be yours, may the fluency of the ocean be yours, may the protection of the ancestors be yours" - john o'donohue
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here are some photos i recieved a few days ago from our 3 friends... these were shot in the first section of the trip between portage bay and homer.
enjoy this long, gorgeous day. enjoy this moment, and one another. celebrate, for you have many reasons to.
19 June 2008
day 27 - eshamy bay
paddlers are rockin'! just outside of eshamy bay when the SPOT signal came in tonight. all signs say they'll be to whittier by sunday. WOW!
tomorrow is solstice, the longest day of light! live it up and enjoy amigos.
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18 June 2008
day 26 SPOT signal 4:16pm
the paddlers reached the end of bainbridge passage today at this rate it looks like
they may have 4-5 days more of their trip. amazing!!!
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17 June 2008
day 25 - auk bay
truly truly incredible progress as the team now enters yet another breathtaking area on the final stretch of this journey.
a note from matt's mom...
Hi, all
The paddlers are at Auk Bay in Bainbridge Passage. That means they're in Prince William Sound, so going should be good. Steve thinks that they could be in Whittier as soon as Sunday.
We'll be standing by for pickup services then, and wishing them a safe trip.
Love, Noël
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16 June 2008
day 24 - whidbey bay 4:28 pm
a note from matt's mom (matt's parents were able to join the crew in seward and see them off).
Hi, all
Tonight's SPOT is at Whidbey Bay, on the Gulf of Alaska coast on the way to
Port Bainbridge. They're about 30 miles from the entrance to Prince William
Sound. They made 28 miles today. Once they enter PWS they will be on a
less exposed shore with lots of places to land when they need/want to.
Again, I'm sad that we're not with them. Tomorrow they should get into even
more beautiful country. Once while we were going through Bainbridge Passage
a porpoise was swimming along with us on the bow and was so close I could
almost touch it. I tried hanging my arm over the side, but it was just
about 6 inches too short. We've seen lots of wildlife along the
passage--porpoise, whales, bear (once Steve and Matt saw a black bear
swimming across!).
We'll get our turn in August, I hope.
Wishing them calm seas, light winds, currents in their direction, and
another great traveling day.
Love, Noël
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15 June 2008
14 June 2008
resupplied in seward
hola all! we are in Seward. got here late friday afternoon, spent the eve and day resupplying and visiting with Matt's Mom and Dad. Steve and Noel have made this journey comforting, and fattening. ;) they are special.
tomorrow early we leave for our final leg to Whittier, about 120nm. our initial forecast is very favorable with N winds in the mornings and SW in the afternoon. we have a great shot to be into Prince William Sound in 3 days. from there we're less exposed and will have the most flexible planning of the entire trip - minimal currents, seclusion from strong weather.
it's been bittersweet realizing we are in reaching distance of our goal from a start that seems so long long ago.
thanks for the new donations.
best.
matt, djuna, mathew.
13 June 2008
day 21 seward!!! 6:26 pm ADKT
so incredible - the paddlers made it to seward in 10 days. looks like they are near (or in) the ferry terminal.
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12 June 2008
11 June 2008
day 19 - granite island (5:30pm ADKT)
they are making incredible progress. the weather looks to be in their favor. 3 rock stars!
here are some NOAA satellite images of 
where they are camped tonight, along with the map link 
to google from SPOT.
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I began paddling in the waters of Cook Inlet, working as a guide in Kachemak Bay. Since then, my husband Matt and I have moved to Orcas Island Washington and work with Body Boat Blade. We are passionate about paddling in dynamic waters and living adventurous lives. The Kenai is so diverse and wild, it’s a place I love to know exists on this planet.
