We have arrived in Hungary and in just 3 days the World Championships will start. The city of Szeged is hot and although there are things to do I find myself staying close to the hotel not doing too much. Today I was passing time on the computer. I hit the usual; facebook, leaderpost.com and then I checked into the Cross Canada Canoe Odyssey groups website. Sounds kind of random if you don't know my friends but the CCCO gang is paddling across Canada in Clipper canoes. They began this long journey in April and are well on their way. They are currently paddling along Lake Superior.
They are following a path less traveled both literally and figuratively. I say literally because how many people go on a cross country road trip in a canoe and figuratively because they are living their dream, through the good, the bad and the rough waters.
I find them inspiring. Not only are they making history because when they finish (in the planned time) they will have crossed our beautiful country faster than any other group who has also attacked this amazing feat. As well the ladies in the Canoe Odyssey group will be the first ever to finish the journey in one season. But, that is not why they set out to navigate the countries waterways. This journey began so many years ago. Years before I knew any of the crew. This dream began on small lakes, with family and on canoe trips up north. It began with child like wonder and a desire to see what people around them were talking about. This dream started with naive notions but grew with each individual into a reality that could not be put off any longer.
I feel very lucky and very honored to do what I do for a living. Something we do not see very often today is adults stepping out of the safety of everyday life and going after a childhood dream, a dream that gains no fame or fortune. My friends are on this adventure because of a love for paddling, a love for nature and a love for this bountiful country that allows them this type of opportunity.
My friends Stephanie and Whitney wrote a blog post, http://cancanoeodyssey.sportisite.com/news, and while I read it, it reminded me of why I love canoeing and kayaking so much. It reminded me of how awesome it is, how much history there is and how lucky I am to be able to kayak all over the world representing my country. Her blog, informative and innocent as it was, has gotten me really excited to start racing. So- here we go. Its the week I have been waiting and training for, for months. This is go time and there is no time like the present to step up and live your dreams, or so I have heard;)
As a side note: Something else I find really neat about following my friends journey is that they are using this trip to raise awareness for a truly great cause, The Nature Conservancy of Canadahttp://www.naturecanada.ca/advocate. /wildlife_conservancy.html?gclid=CJS3yruuz6oCFZIH3wod8HBezw
Check it out!!!
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