After a frustrating day of waiting out strong winds, they roared back to action, covering an impressive 31.6 miles. That’s 31.6 miles closer to the finish of the first-ever kayak team to paddle the entire Northwest Passage (NWP) in a single season under human power.
The day began smoothly, but as they ventured further, the sea turned restless with choppy waves, slowing their progress. Adding to the challenge, a curtain of drizzle and fog descended, casting an eerie ambiance. The Arctic chill crept in, compelling the team to bundle up even tighter, with mornings marked by frosty air.
At Pearce Harbor camp, they stumbled upon a somewhat dilapidated cabin, a welcome refuge from the elements. This discovery spared them the time-consuming task of setting up their tent. Along the way, they were treated to spectacular vistas of towering cliffs and colossal rock formations. House Rock, a hidden gem, remained elusive until they were practically at its doorstep, obscured by the persistent fog and drizzle. Hidden from sight until they were right against it’s crashing waves.
With the cabin providing a makeshift haven, the team plans to set out earlier tomorrow, saving precious time since they don’t have to dismantle their tent. Their next challenge: crossing Darnley Bay, weather permitting.
Barbara Edington, the expedition manager, and Sheila Reiter, Jeff’s wife, are on a mission to reach Tuktoyaktuk, NT, in time to greet the team upon their arrival. They’ve covered an impressive 1245 miles, marking a quarter of their journey. Yesterday kicked off with a leisurely start, and today was filled with delightful surprises.
They passed through just a ton of cute little towns lined with quaint shops on their main streets. Barbara drove while Sheila googled all the things we needed to know based on what we passed. For instance, “What is a cornfield plot tour?” and “Why do silos have doors?”
Their journey took them across several rivers, including the Missouri River, the Platte River, the Loup River, and the Elkhorn River. Sheila even had an impromptu drone lesson over the Missouri River with the friendly Jason Browne from Pennsylvania (such a nice guy).
Along the way, they discovered the meaning of a Rotary Club and identified the yellow leaf fields as soybean crops, ripe for harvest. Serendipity struck when they crossed paths with Leah and Todd from Princeton, Texas, who were embarking on an Alaskan adventure in their well-worn but beloved motorhome for work. They didn’t shy away when Sheila rolled down her window while we were traveling 75 miles per hour down the road to “talk to them and ask where they were going.” We had seen them the day before and ran into them again today. We all pulled over for a chat before we moved on.
After a long 12-hour drive, they savored a delightful meal at a cozy restaurant before settling into their hotel for the night. Tomorrow, they’ll make the border crossing into Canada, marking the beginning of their journey along the NW passage to Tuk.
