Finished! Around the Rock in 44 days
Posted by Greg on July 29, 2008
Today was borderline for the final crossing — gusty headwinds and choppy seas. The conditions weren’t unsafe but were a difficult slog with the kayak pounding hard and “buckets” of water frequently hitting my face and chest. At 8:00PM, after 12 hours and 63K I approached Quidi Vidi (pronounced “kiddie viddie”) where I started my trip 44 days ago. Just outside of the rocky, narrow fishing harbor I was met and escorted in by two kayakers from KNL (Kayak Newfoundland Labrador). It brought a smile to my face as did seeing the KNL members who gathered in the harbor and cheered as I took my last paddle strokes. Many thanks to everyone who participated, it really warmed my heart!
It felt strange to unload the kayak and split up my gear. It felt like disbanding a “team”. This gear has been my sole material world for so long that it hasn’t fully sunk in that I won’t be repacking it again early in the morning to push toward another distant destination. That said, tonight I am looking forward to falling into a real bed!
Tomorrow will be interesting — an interview on National TV. It’s past midnight and I need rest, however over the next few days I’ll post some of my thoughts and reflections of the trip and start going through my photos. For everyone who followed me virtually on this adventure, I appreciate your support, comments and well wishes.
Karel and Derrick; many thanks for your weather reports, Google maps and blogging. You did a great job! Many thanks to Neil and Isabelle for being such fine hosts. I fly home next Tuesday. Until then I’ll relax, enjoy a long soak in a hot tub, beer, meet friends, beer, get a massage, and maybe beer ;^)
New: here are a few audio and video clips of my reception at Qidi Vidi:
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/rm-audio/nl-kayaker-ftr-20080729.rm (audio)
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/rm-hi/nl-kayak-arrival-20080729.rm (video)
http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/nl-kayak-arrival-20080729.mov (video)
Greg
