Seven Days till Launch and change continues

Life, as fluid as water and like water, can move obstacles in its path

This past weekend a friend saw a news blip that a portion of the Erie Canal was to be closed (about 30 miles to be exact) just a few days before I am to start paddling it on July 1^st. Well, when I set my mind to something, I don’t let little things get in the way and like the water I am drawn to, I chose to push that little obstacle out of my way. How? That’s the fun part.

I began researching some alternate routes around the closure. The only thing I was able to come up with was to paddle about 18 miles north to Lake Ontario then about 16 miles along the lake and then another 8 miles or so back to the canal. Doable – certainly. Desired – no.

There was another option though. While Buffalo NY and the Erie Canal is some six hours from me, the Canadian border is only two and a half hours away at the top of Lake Champlain. I began exploring this option and the more I explored it, the more I liked it. First, I found a road that ran right along the Canadian border – Line Road. Then a private dock just 110’ from the border and the best part; I’d be launching from Vermont rather than New York.

So today I decided that Matthias Ln, Alburgh, VT will become my new starting point for the Canada to Key West Paddle. Just 7 days left till I launch. 7 days till life as I know it now will change significantly. I don’t know what is in store for me at the end of this journey, but I am excited to begin the journey that will take me there.