Altering My Dream

I left Monday to set camp…I had been having direar for the week before due to nerves…this does not mention not sleeping or eating very much- again due to nerves and people plucking my nerves…the whole way across the state the Horizon kept coming unroped- we even lost a foam block…it was 97 and OMG humid when we arrived in St Augustine…

AnastasiaState Park is awesome…the rangers and vendors are very polite   Mr. Crawford has a wonderful crew…they gave us a campsite upfront…we saw gofer turtles walking down the street…as we set camp, I thought Debby was in the truck and I climbed in the camper- she was under it…I almost popped her little skull like a grape…thankfully, she was only bruised- I felt like shit…

With camp set, Debby and I went down to the beach…there was 6- 10 foot breakers…and these beautiful looking electric blue things…looked kind of jelly like was beautiful though)...Then it started to storm…Betty’s camper tent was thin and started to leak…Debby and I became Queens of the Duck tape mansion very quickly…this was really not how a Girly Pirate needs to have it…at least the dent it Debby’s head had started to fill in…It was time for bed…for me sleep was an elusive bitch…the very clean rest room became my best friend (even though I kept breaking my knees on the toilet paper holder)…I kept drinking fluid and tried to eat, but felt like crapp…

Ranger Chris was cool and took me to the drop…North Peninsula was full of Man of War with 10- 12 foot breakers…it was Chris’s recommendation that I use the Intercoastal Waterway and he dropped me at Gamble Rodger’s State Park boat launch…I agreed and he helped me put in the Horizon…one would never guess it connected to the ocean- it was like glass…

The vibe here is far different than the west coast- they do not seem used to kayakers…I saw dolphins, manatee and many different fish…the birds seemed to be everywhere…the Intercoastal is cut like ditch and The Blue Horizon had no problems…no trees overhang here, so be sure to have sunblock- even thought of attaching some type of umbrella as you get pounded by the sun…I was pounding water, but my head was light- I ate a few nutrigrain bars…I pulled up on the beach and called Ranger Chris…he told me of a landing and to call when I got there…I got another Lifewater and climbed back in and began to paddle…I paddled for some distance and did not see anything, but the occasional houseboat…a few motor boats who though it was funny to speed up as they passed to leave me in a big wake- I can handle this, but it is quite irksome…I heard a young man yell to me, so I paddled over (I must have looked like hell)…he offered to help me off the water...I called Ranger Chris and the man told him where I was…the man helped me with the Horizon…I tipped up a Lifewater and chugged it…

Chris offered to come get me- he was kind of surprised I had made it around 22 miles (I was cutting 6 miles an hour with taking pics- this was very slow to me and I wondered if I had kept my normal speed could I have made the 30)…he was telling me of the garden he and his girlfriend had made…I was angry I had not made it the 30 miles I had planned…I got to see parts of St Augustine that most do not get to…hmmmmm…I was having a girly Pirate thought…could I salvage this…If so, how…we were at the camp

I had an ice cold outdoor shower awaited me, as this park has no indoor facility…Deb and I had altered plans due to my being so ill…We had planned to drive to Lake Talbot State Park and I would paddle the island…Debby felt safer with that idea…That night- we will just say I was quite ill… the clinic doctor wanted to admit me and I refused…Walter and Debby wanted me to go to my own doctor…I was exhausted, dehydrated and hypoglycemic- all very serious…We started home…I felt quite defeated…yeah, yeah, yeah…I tried…I hear ya…Debby then asked me when I was going to retry…what retry???What kind of crazy shiz is this…it was killing me to think of that much hard work down the drain…our altered plan was quite cool…I just needed to add a few Girly Pirate touches…as the wheels of my mind started spinning…I just needed to restructure the idea...I got home and called the doctor…all disasters are the method of the higher power to grab your attention…my mom is going in surgery for a blockage of her heart to be removed…my best friend is having liver issues…at the moment I was needed at home…

(8 foot breakers- taken from my yak)

I will be going back out on June the 4^th…due to health issues, some things will change though…if you are worried, please understand I do not need to hear it so I will no longer listen- a Girly Pirate went out the first inlet and played in the waves…they were big and fun…also full of baby Man of War…I am too old to camp the old school way…hotel room a must- toilet and shower required…OMG…that is all I have to say…I will be stopping in 5 areas to Paddle…I will speak at shelters’ in those areas…Debby will still drive…this way we will not be gone as long…I have been shown many blueways that I would like to try…I will go to Virginia Beach, VA…Ma, Me, NC, SC…

Paddling was not the problem- lack of information was…if you have not noticed this is a recon mission to obtain information…I will complete this full paddle next May…I am not a professional paddler- just a woman with a great outlet and passion…I am not proud- just stubborn…

Your Favorite Captain,

D

Wenches on the Benches

Good Day to You,

 I am excited and moody as any good Captain is before a major voyage…trying to get all my loose ends tied up…let me fill you in

Massage clients have been coming in to get worked on….this is my first vacation in 8 years…I have only had 3 sick days in that time…so this is the first time for them to have me gone…I am blessed with such love and support- they understand what I am doing is important…

American Boudica Publishing and The Circle of Boudica have been turned over to ChrisBilton….he and Rose have been great while I accomplish this goal…how many business partners would say- ‘Go Follow Your Heat’…I was blessed when he found me:)

My personal blog is open, but I will not post there until I get back…this way all of the information is still available…

School was supposed to be done by now…a few classes were added on to give me more knowledge…so I will still be in school while on the paddle…this will not be easy, but the teachers and I are prepared for it

Walter and Harold have made sure the truck and camper are ready to go…new tires, brakes, gone through the motor, ripping out the sink and propane, etc…stripping all dead weight will help with gas mileage…they wanted to make sure we were safe so they have added panic buttons in the truck camper and boat- this will call the police or coast guard should problems occur…I have left a copy of all paperwork (registrations, insurance, license, list of all medications, etc) with the shelter to keep everything safe and legal…

 

Channeling Captain Phil…I remembered a ‘Deadliest Catch’ when he goes to the grocery store to get ready for the trip…this was a helpful show to get ready for this trip…it made me think on the entire trip and what would be needed in our stores to keep us going…

I have been running to Hudson Beach or Anclote River Park as they are both close to the house…any questions I had were erased by my animals…Fred came over to Anclote…he was here at the start and, like any of my human coaches, he let me know that I was ready for this…the manatees from Crystal River came down to Hudson…it was fun to play with them…they let me know, I would see them when I got back- this was kind of sad…flipper and his dolphin crew came out to play at both parks…it would not surprise me to see them on the paddle…I do not own them, but they feel they own me…lol…I had a bald eagle land on the front of Yum Yum….40 pounds dropping out of the sky on an 8 foot yak…I almost flipped-freaked me out-the talons are huge…then I thought ‘how cool is this’…the whole time he was summing me up…I felt like a soldier being given orders…I have seen him watching me in the yard…I guess he is going with me too…

C and N Renovations loaned me a shade tent and cooler (this is big enough to hide a body…lol)…Pepsi (Tampa Bottling 30^th St) hooked us up with some Lifewater and Aquafina, they also tricked out The Lady Blue Horizon…Tim O’Hara is hooking up cameras and music- thankfully he is a teamster and knows the importance of both…The Florida Winery has donated the months tip jar to the shelter as promised- A big Thank You…Attitudes Hair Salon has also made a promised donation to the shelter- another big Thank You…I am proud to be among such fine people…EVERYDONATION HELPS

Each port of call will be unique…I have several friends who will be stopping to see us…I have offered to speak in a few ports…my family is spread along the coast and I will get to see many of them…All through my practice- I have been picking up bits and pieces for the children who will visit…Debby and I will empty the truck on the way up and go shopping to fill it on the way back…lol…that’s what Walter is afraid of:)

Your Favorite Girly Pirate,

Dorraine Cooper-Rooney, LMT

Captain of the Lady Blue Horizon

17 Days Until Launch

Every day I see my dream…it is getting so close and my nerves are on edge…my head spins so much I feel like Linda Blair…lol…just keep the pea soup...ha ha ha

 I have spent the week getting the truck and camper ready…new tires, brakes checked, oil changed, fluids checked, cylinders repacked and topper for the truck…the camper needed new tires, registration, insurance and wheel bearings got fresh packed…copies of all paperwork have been left with the shelter, in case we should need them

I have prepared my clients for my trip…I will miss them…the Publishing Company has been left in Chris’s hands, Chris is also handling the congregation- I trust him…I did my exit interview at school and took my final in feng shui, checked out with the dept head and bursar…all I have to do is paddle and go to class…wave on, wave off....lol...the Miagie school of paddling...too funny…I have gone over all my accounts with Dale so Walter will have some help while I am gone- I have faith in them both…they gardens have been weeded and had compost scratched into the soil- they will have to hang in until I get back

Tomorrow will start at Atonement Church on SR54 in Wesley Chapel, FL…we will have the blessing of the boat and the journey…Pastor Scott is a great guy and has stood by to help with the paddle in any way he could…I have been blessed to have him in my corner…he helps many in our community…he does not care who you call God, just that you call- when this comes from the heart the energy from this sentiment is amazing and I want that on this paddle…Taylor will be making video on this event so I should have it for you Monday…I am excited to see his talent flow…

Tomorrow afternoon…hmmm…Debbie and I are supposed to repack and make a list of missing items:/…I know what we are supposed to do…but, if I always did what I was supposed to, I would not be the Girly Pirate…I wonder if we can sneak off to the beach….maybe we can do both;)

Monday is a client day…I also have to take the camper to get the new tires out put on…Tuesday is a final walk through on the camper-I will pack anything we will not need until out arrival in St Augustine on May14…maybe I can sneak to the beach again;)

OMG…this is really happening…it is all coming together…I am scared, excited, proud, confident, nervous- all at the same time…I will so miss my family and animals….this is something I must do…they understand-they are worried, but they trust me…my friends are being very supportive…the energy has been so wonderful to feel….

All of this is about donations to a shelter for battered/abused women…many people think I am crazy- to these people I ask you to call Trish (352)521- 3358 and pledge a donation, if I make the trip from North Peninsula State Park in Florida to Old Orchid Beach, Maine in under 60 days you will donate $X… if you are one of the pessimistic sort you can pledge $X on the fact I won’t make it…if you think I can pull this off you can donate on my page (PayPal) or go to any SunTrust Bank- tell them you want to donate to the Sunshine Paddle…either way it is a win/win…

I feel like a horse straining at the bit…I am ready to run…my muscles seem to flex of their own accord…my motions are not fast, but they are deliberate and carry resonance…how else can I explain…I got my hata blockas on and have lost the ability to hear/listen negative crapp…emotions are running high at the moment…the work being done by Sunrise of Pasco is very important…at the rate of budget cuts more women and children will get killed/hurt…It is my hope to help these women get to safety- in a manner that will let them be a whole human being…I have had to relive what happened in my life…this is so not easy and makes me thankful for I am at-also kicks my ass emotionally…if it keeps one woman safe, I did my job:)…so much going on in my brain

Well I hope this gives you some insight…if you are trying to reach me, call the house- if you get no answer please leave a message…I have been on the phone so much the phones die…I will post once more the day before we leave

May the wind be at your back,

Captain D

26 days until launch

Ahoy Mate,

26 days until launch…everything that can go wrong is…lol…

Why do I laugh?

It is not problems that make or break you, nor do they tell who you are as a person…it is how you approach the handling of them…never let them take your ability to laugh, use it and the worst situation becomes manageable

My emotions are like a perfect storm…I am excited- this trip will be epic (good or bad)…I am sad to leave my family and friends- I will miss them…I will be overjoyed to see my granddaughter (Lindsey, 8) and my niece (Abigail, under a year)- it will be my first time to hold either one…I will get to meet my new son in-law for the first time (Matt)…worried over the folks and Walter- I am leaving Dale behind to care for them, but he is not me…stressed about doing school while on the paddle- at least it will be subjects I am familiar with…I could go on, but you get the picture…

I passed my boater requirement test with an 97%...I have posted all over the internet in hopes of finding other paddlers to paddle their area with me…though I do not mind the solitude of being solo, it is nice to meet new friends:)…the tech people in my life have been helping me learn all the new gizmos…all this stuff is not new to most, but I have not owned a cell phone for 3 years- I did not even know how to text…lol…Thank You Marilyn for being so patient- her husband Steve is sweet and puts up with my many phone calls…the vehicles’ need tires…I found the truck tires- still looking for a topper, we can use tarp but a topper would be nice…still working on the camper- could use an extra rim, 10 inch…a BIG Thank you to Harold and Walter for getting the lights done on Wilma and Betty…Dennis has been great help with my SPOT tracker…Mary Rowell of Maine donated a printer with extra ink- how very cool…I have been practicing at Anclote and Hudson as they are both close and there is much to be done…packing, packing and repacking- in my anal heart I know this will happen a few more times…do you know how much stuff we need or how much room it takes???

I have called every state, checked back in with everyone we had already…some places went under so we have had to adjust the route and I am sure as we go along we will need to adjust it again…fingers crossed it will not be by much…we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best…a trip like this takes planning, training and communication…it makes my hear sing to see how many people are pitching in to help…

This whole trip is run on donation…most of our equipment is old and used, to me this is a beautiful thing…these items may not be worth much money, but they are gold to us and have been given new life…our safety equipment is brand new and works well…this was done with Monetary Contributions from- Matt Le Hann, Mary Irving- Fantucchio, Tim O’Hara, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cooper…we are now working on money for gas and food…all donations help…gift cards, quarters, dimes- it all helps…I am also looking for Velcro- please check your draws and cupboards’…

We appreciate your support in this endeavor:)

Thank you,

Captain D

Omnipresent State of Mind

‘Captain on Deck’-

At ease people,

It has been a busy few weeks as we prepare for the east coast…

As many of you know, I have been running over to the park at Hudson Beach for the last few weeks to practice…I have noted a few of the manatees I had seen at Crystal River had found their way down…there are several dolphins at this park too…the birds here are quite comical and the people friendly…this beach is clean and well cared for…well worth the $2 fee (I am surprised it is not $5)...

The PioneerFlorida Museum and Village was quite interesting…we were invited to attend ‘Train Day’, but I found out much about Pasco and Florida history...I bounced from exibit to exibit like a child…the price for this was family friendly…all of the staff was so polite…I really loved the old school house…the train depot was much like one my grandfather ran in Maine…I got to talk to a lot of people about the paddle and the reason for it, so it was a win/win…I love days like that:)

Stephen at Congo River Mini Golf in Port Richey offered me a discount for Walt and I, if I would come check him out…we had great fun…Walt kicked my behind…the place was clean…we enjoyed feeding the gators and Koi…though it was a hot day, the waterfalls and fans were awesome and kept us cool

The play last evening made me a Vagina Warrior…it was a flawless show that really made people think…it was a full house and all had fun…One Billion Rising is for everyone across the planet- I have heard many people say they wish they could help…you can- check it out…

Tomorrow Debby Brooks will come aboard as my second in command…she will be the Pilot of Wilma and Betty…we are now going through the trip- remeasureing, reconfirming, packing and making sure everything is in place…Marilyn Peacock is keeping us organized…I should have a final itinerary posted Friday

I need help with gas and food…please- even if it is only a quarter…Please donate…you can do so through any Sun Trust Bank in the country or through the mail or through PayPal…if you do not think I will make it call Trish or Lil at the shelter and pledge a penny a mile (352)521- 3358 - if I do make it you will only owe around $13.50…if you believe in what I am going to accomplish- help me, donate…I will use this paddle to stand up for battered and abused women…May 15 will be here soon…where will you be???

I would like to thank the many of you who are making this possible…sharing information, donation goods and services, monetary donations…all have been needed and appreciated…It is also my intention to thank the many Kayakers who have taken time to teach me and gone out of their way to make sure I know what they feel I need to make this trip…we have raised a lot of money and gotten much accomplished

Blessed Be,

Captain D

The Count Down has Begun

Mates! Gather Round!

At the moment I look at the calendar and find we have 59 Days until launch…there is much work to be done before we get underway…

I will be see massage patients until the 10^th of may…due to a heavy practice schedule all appointments must be confirmed 24 hours in advance (813)907-6279…I have called all the clients and let them know I will be down from 5/10- 8/15/12…I have the best patients- they are full of encouragement…I am blessed

All issues with American Boudica Publishing will be handled by Chris Bilton of Rotherham until 8/20/12…Chris is also working with me on the Paddle project and I am blessed with the support of him and his wife Rose…for that matter the entire Bilton family:)

I will continue classes while on the paddle…this will be a little stressful, but I am ornery and know I can handle it…I am sure since I have made it clear to the school, that the teacher is aware of the unusual circumstance and willing to work with me…my school is a very awesome place

Those in the circle of Boudica can stop by to see me if you need me, but services will not be held until Mabon…Thank you for the good energy…I feel the love, support and worry…I will be home before you know it

It is almost here…can you feel it

A week ago I took Janis to Weeki Wachee…the manager was kind of on the rude side of life…Janis and I ignored his lack of manners…we got into the yak and paddled…she was so tickled…it is a beautiful river…I am sad that I will not see it for a while

Our next stop was Hudson Beach…what a freakin great paddle…Yum Yum had been missing the water…we paddled out until a boater stopped me and asked if I knew I was 10 miles out…needless to say I laughed and paddled back to shore…it just went so fast and so easy

Saturday of last week was play practice…it went much faster than I thought it would…I need to pick up Wilma’s parts from Jessie…I also need to get a spare tire for both Wilma and Betty…the website is up to date and I have started marketing the trip...so much to be done and no time to do it:)

All the parts are bought, but I need help with gas and food…please- even if it is only a quarter…Please donate…you can do so through any Sun Trust Bank in the country or through the mail or through PayPal…if you do not think I will make it call Trish or Lil at the shelter and pledge a penny a mile (352)521- 3358 - if I do make it you will only owe $13.50…if you believe in what I am going to accomplish- help me…donate…Maybe you can’t do this trip- Aye, but I can…I will use this paddle to stand up for battered and abused women…May 15 will be here soon…what will you be doing???

Captain D

Too Far Gone

I have been asked ‘what if’ concerning The Sunshine Paddle…we are just under the 66 day point…this trip is about to happen… I have the bulk of the stuff we need bought…

I have been training and studying for this for more than a year…the help from so many souls made my job easier…I have always felt blessed…as you have watched on the Website it has not always been as easy, but with such a good cause as Sunrise of Pasco- it has always been worth it…the side effect is educating parents and children…how can that ever be a bad thing...

I foresee an adventure…one hopes it to be a happy one…13 states, 39 stops in 39 days (the day count depends on weather) via kayak…I am not running for office…It is my hope to bring attention to the amount of women disappearing or hurt or dead and how high those numbers are climbing…not to mention what is happening in front of children…we need to stop the violence…Many people have said they want things to change…so please help me change them

I need help……if you have family or friends along our route, please ask them to check us out if they have time…any help at this point would be great…I am trying to put together food and fuel…this is not easy as prices keep climbing…we are grateful for every penny…if you can manage to help I would be thankful…if you cannot help, maybe you know someone who can and could talk to them for me

At this moment you can mail us a check or money order made out to Sunshine Paddle…you can also donate through PayPal on the Sunshinepaddle.com…as of Tuesday afternoon you will be able to go to any Sun Trust Bank and donate directly to the Sunshine Paddle…all donations are tax deductable…

We appreciate your support in this endeavor:)

Thank you,

Captain D