Lots of long, dramatic “Noooooo!”s, mixed in with a few “Why?!!!”s, just for kicks, today. There it was, a few miles away: a chat with a human being. Or a poker game. Or maybe a little bartering of energy bars for anything but. I’m not really sure what the appropriate mid-ocean etiquette is, but anything to break the six hours of rowing ahead would have been very welcomed.
This afternoon, I saw my first sailboat on the journey. Unfortunately, after several failed attempts to contact the boat on my VHF radio, I watched it disappear like a passing cloud.
Maybe it is for the best. It might leave me with a smidgen of jealousy to watch as the wind propels it effortlessly on its journey, as I inch my way pulling at the oars. So, for now, it’s just me and the dorados.
{ 37 comments }
Katie: yep, so close and yet so far away. . . keep those oars going. . .row, row and row some more. . . . and SOON you will have accomplished your dream!!! We’re all pulling for you . . .God’s speed for safe waters on this last leg of your journey! Keep up the posts. . . .I check a couple times a day to see the progress you’ve made and the most interesting stories you’ve shared – fabulous – you’re an amazing woman. . . . .do you know about how many more miles or possible days left? . . . in some ways I hate to see your trip end. . . .it is so enjoyable to follow you!!!
Hi Katie, I want to hear about the animals when you get home. Tommy says hi, and so does Claire. We read you every day. xxooxxoo Allie,Claire,Tommy
Hi Katie,
You are an amazing inspiration. I have enjoyed reading your updates on the internet. Keep on keeping on. You are an incredibly strong person. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Peace.
Kawowzer! For a minute, I thought you might have seen Reid Stowe, on the sea over a thousand days, three times around the world, but I just checked his site, and you’re about 1,000 miles southwest of him. Guess the fun’s over; keep your clothes on! How soon do you have to start going NW to get to Cayenne? Carry on!
Don’t sweat it Katie…
Those yachters are too snooty anyhow. Plus, exchanging anything more than conversation would end any chance of you getting your solo and unassisted record. Hang in there, you’ll get noticed aplenty, soon enough ;D
Katie,
We are counting the days right along with you. Keep rowing and get home to us soon!
Doing a little homework on Cayenne…
Stay in the historic district north of the canal that divides the city. Avoid crossing the canal in front of the market into the reputedly dangerous Village Chinois (also called “Chicago”) and you should be good to go!
Wow, I cannot believe that you saw a sail boat! The jealousy would kill me! Do you have a feeling they saw you? Or do you think that they didn’t? Because If they did it was awful mid-ocean etiquette! Well, I think the dorados are still good enough company!
Keep it up!!
It is for the best, it keeps your eagerness up to complete the Solo journey.
What great inspiration you are. I am in awe.
Beth
hmmmph! Oh, I was so hoping you’d get to commune. Well, As you get closer the possibility increases and increases. But until then, Grateful to the Fish and Birds who cheer you on, and are seemingly at your side, much like a single canine companion–just there.
I wish you calm seas tonight
and a comforting tune
restful sleep
and the light of the moon.
Keep rowing! You an incredible inspration to watch. I hope another boat comes your way soon! Better luck with this one of course! I hope your little friends (the birds) are still entertaining you! Have fun on your journy! I hope all is well on the ocean!
chloe
Hi Katie,
I just heard you’re going to be interviewed tomorrow morning on NPR, Morning Edition. I’ll be tuned in like I’m sure many of your other followers will be to hear how you’re doing as you close in on the finish. Keep up the great work! I can’t tell you how proud all of us in the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club are of your remarkable accomplishments. Also, we have another $200 coming in from the November fundraiser which will be donated through the website. You’ve blown right past your $50,000 goal – fantastic! All those people drinking clean, safe water…..what a wonderful thing. You’re making quite a difference.
Take care. Row strong, and see you soon!!! Mini-Wilson 2 (the deuce) says hi too.
Katie,
How exciting! A little glimpse of what is sooooo close. Following you has been a joy, and I wish you calm waters, friendly skies and godspeed! You are about to finish something that most of us couldn’t even dream of doing, and the clean drinking water for so many…. Inspiring!
Andrea
Hi Katie!
I can’t believe it you were so close! You should have tried yelling over to him!
I can’t believe how strong you are, I mean to pull a thousand pounds of weight across the atlantic by yourself is the most amazing thing ever! You should be very proud of yourself, but also of your family because they are so supportive of you and are strong to let you do this, I know my mom would never let me do somthing like this in a million years. So keep up the good work, but most importantly remember that as soon as you get home thank your friends and family for their support and letting you follow your dream.
Love
Sophia S
St. Louis, Mo
Fifth grade
MICDS
Today I saw your uncle R. and asked him how far you had to go – although I knew from your RSS feeds – he said “less than half an inch!” Funny man, for a lawyer!
Thanks for this latest report – I don’t even know you but i worry and driving home on the East Shoreway tonight I wondered when we would hear from you. So extra thanks for tonight’s report.
You’re a wonderful inspiration to all of us. Row, row, row, and be careful!
Skipper Don
Good work!! i would have been really happy and excited to see another boat in the water instead of being alone. I hope you will see another boat soon!!!!! I still cant believe that you can row that far all by yourself along with thousands of pounds on the boat to row! I would never have the physical or mental strength to do what you are doing. Keep up the good work!
-Lindsey
Dear Katie,
As you no doubt have seen, a lot of my classmates are commenting on your blogs. A few of my classmates joked that you’d think we were stalkers. Trust me, that is not the case. We are all attentively awaiting your return to solid ground and will support you on your journey. Keep rowing! You’re almost there!
Ellen
This is so amazing and I would get sick of enery bars to. I could never do anything like this. You are my idol.
I wish you the best of luck
Katie,
i think that you are one amazing person. You also must be very good at planing and living on your own. I have a good sugestion that I’d really aprisiate if you’d look at. This is it:Once you’ve finshed your ”journey” maybe you could come and vist schools and teach us about your cause and come and vist our school(MICDS in St.louis, Missouri)I’ll check out your web site agian later
Thanks,
Skyler Halbeck
Hi Katie,
Congratulations on your trip so far. I heard you talking to the local NPR reporter in Ohio this morning and thought I would check out your website. This is fantastic. What an adventure! I agree with Skyler, it would be great if you could go to different schools and talk to kids about what you have done. I have two girls who are 12 and 14 that I would really like to have hear about your adventure. I look forward to following you for what is left of your journey.
Gregg
Shaker Heights, Ohio
I just tuned into this site due to an update I saw in the Plain Dealer. Good luck and calm seas. Looking forward to your updates.
Gordof, Eastlake- suburb of Mentor
hi katie you are doing awesome just wanted to let you know the daycare i work at have been following you the entire way and they are all so amazed the coolest thing happened this morning while i was taking some children to school this morning we heard your interview on the radio it really made their day to actually hear your voice and they were amazed to say the least keep up the great work and keep rowing.
marianne and tracey johns
childs place afterschoolers
hey Katie – I’m sorry you didn’t get to “mingle” with the folks on the sailboat! BUT so soon you’re going to be surrounded by more people than you want i think. Remember Tom Hanks in Castaway after he came back to civilization?! Serious culture shock! Hang in there kiddo – you’re doing so great. Even though i don’t know you personally i’m so very proud of you!
elli
Hello again Katie,
First of all huge congratulations on overtaking your original goal of $50,000 you are a true legend. You have changed so may peoples lives for the better and that is amazing. Please stay alert now that you are coming closer to land as there will be many other vessels out there.
Also, can you please leave out the swimming until after you get home as it sends shivers down my spine (I still remember Jaws VIVIDLY. Saw it at a drive in on holiday in Canada and all the way home to the UK kept looking down at the ocean thinking, oh my goodness if anything happens I don’t want to be left floating in the ocean….lol). Keep rowing, keep strong and I am looking forward to you reaching land again. God Bless.
Paulineb
Perth, Western Australia xxxx
We check your progress every day and support what you are doing and why. As I reflect on your row and risks I’ve taken for a cause, Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken comes to mind:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could…
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
We celebrate the difference you are making, a very big difference, and will continue to make.
Hi Katie,
I just heard about you for the first time on NPR this morning. It is amazing what you are doing! I can’t imagine being in your shoes right now. What a wonderful (and strenuous!) experience. I look forward to following your progress. Keep up the good work!
-Katie
Katie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep going. Your message and inspiration will travel not just here, but far onto the future.
You’re almost there! Please be ever vigil with all those commercial ships you may encounter as you close in to the South American shoreline. Can’t wait to see the video of you reaching shore!
Katie,
Wow! It must feel great to be closer to land! Too bad you couldn’t contact the boat. I can’t believe you have the strength to row that far! Do you know what that boat was doing out there? I would probably get sick of energy bars too. I would get very lonely and scared out in the ocean all alone. You are very brave and I think you are amazing!
Annabel (MICDS 5th grade student)
Hi How is rowing? It must be cool to see a boat now. Are the birds still coming? I would get sick of eating energy bars too. Do you get scared at night? You are probably lonely out alone in the ocean. you are so brave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep on rowing!!!!
Lexi (MICDS 5th grade)
Hi Katie; Wow! I better pay attention or you will be finished without me looking on and yelling with the rest of your admirers. On my map you are about three quarters of an inch away. But who’s counting(measuring). Steady as she goes.
Alfred
Vancouver, Canada
Been checking your page every few days. Glad to see you’ve been making it through ‘relatively’ unscathed. Hope the last of your journey goes very well!
Here from Seattle, WA
You’re not entirely alone. We’re still here.
HI Katie,
I just spoke with your dad this morning. I work for Xerox and manager gear in the warehouse he works in.
We have been friends for a long time. This morning he told me about what you are doing. It’s simply amazing! I wish you the absolute best in all you endeavor and I’m certain you will be successful in this latest challenge.
Rooting you on from Michigan…
Can wait to see you on TV once complete. I’m sure your success will attract allot of interest and yield many fruits for your labor.
I commend you and wish you well.
Safe Journey!
Your new friend,
Sandi
Go Katie! Your amazing for staying so focused and strong.
Oh my, we stumbled on your story and are now hooked on your endeavor as seemingly passive participants! What you have done and are doing is just amazing, for lack of a better word. We love reading what the school kids write to you, they keep you honest don’t they. We wish you a safe finish to your incredible journey and will monitor your progress with excitement and admiration.
your fans Steve and Marilyn from Lynnwood WA
Katie,
Our Squdron has been following your every mile. We spoke of you last evening and all of us wish you the best for these last few weeks. You are amazing and deserve all the admiration for such a venture.
be well,
P/C Lou Schwartz
Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron
Comments on this entry are closed.