Thru-Paddle Blog Series

I take my final paddle out to the ocean. Collected a few memoir shells and it was time to say goodbye to North Island and make my way to the take out. I was greeted by my wife and close friends cheering me on as I approached the dock.

At a moments notice another river angel drove more than an hour from Little River to meet me for the last night and paddle the last day with me.

“I figured since I’ve gone this far, I might as well just keep going”- Forrest Gump. That was the way this story would play out. Faced with the challenge of navigating Winyah Bay in the dark proved to be intimidating…

An evening with the “boys”. A frosty morning start then all ahead full. Marshall and Merri meet me for a water replenishment. Next stop- Winyah Bay. My unexpected longest leg of the trip begins…

Pitch landing was the best and worst of the nights along the trail. My body is adjusting and bouncing back well after a rough start to the expedition….

I reached my campsite for the evening and continued to struggle with stomach cramping, then things took a “downhill” turn…

I reached my campsite for the evening and continued to struggle with stomach cramping, then things took a “downhill” turn…

A trip down memory lane… The more manageable river flow became a mindless paddle where I was absorbed in my own thoughts and constant self encouragement… All was well until bedtime…

I was making great headway through the twist and turns. My friend Shawn called me a beast. I started to believe for a little while. I guess when “beast mode” wears down grit takes over….

Finally, the start of the journey! This is probably part of the most juicy parts of the early on portion of the trip- The beginning. I’m forced to go under through and around new and old fallen trees….