“Welcome to Guyana” – a sentence I’d been waiting to hear for 70 days, 5 hours and 22 minutes!
It appeared as darkness fell, starting as a soft glow on the horizon. As the night progressed, it turned into dotted lights and, by the morning, had turned into trees and buildings. Even hearing new sounds that I hadn’t heard for two months was a revelation. As relieved as I was to see land, I didn’t allow myself to become too excited until my feet were planted on terra firma, as I knew these final miles could be the most treacherous.
When I got to within four miles of the end, I immediately realized it was a different day to the rest of them when a helicopter appeared overhead and, the best thing of all, a boat full of friendly faces, including my dad and brother. But that wasn’t the end of the challenge, as the final approach into the Demerara River proved as difficult as any other. It started to rain, at times I was rowing as hard as I could just to stay in the same spot and, worst of all, I was having to make sure I looked like I knew what I was doing for all the interested onlookers!
Eventually, I found myself rowing up to the landing spot. However, the relief of hitting land was quickly replaced by fear, as I spotted my final obstacle: a ladder.
I questioned whether this was really the best place to land, as I was expecting to not be able to walk, at least straight, once on land. As I crawled my way out, I was faced with one final battle, finding my way to a desperately wanted, long-awaited watermelon amidst a mob of media. As tempting as it was to karate-chop my way through the masses, I patiently waited for my moment. And there it was. Sweet heavenly watermelon.
After the interviews and welcoming party, we made our way to the Princess Hotel and I was handed a pina colada and shown to my room where I discovered the next wonder. A bed. A bed where I didn’t have to worry about being run down by freighters. A bed where I didn’t have to gasp for air as the night wore on. A bed where I could sleep for a whole night without constantly being thrown into the wall by a rogue wave.
Once I found out a casino was attached to the hotel, my brother and I made our way there to see if my head would explode from sensory overload! Luckily, it didn’t, for I seem to have found my head in the clouds again; this time literally.
But you can hear about that another time. I’ve got a boat to tidy up for shipping, and a plane to catch to take me on the next adventure.
{ 29 comments }
Loved the pic of you climbing said ladder on your flickr.
Can’t wait to hear what you have to say once time and space better allows. I can’t figure out what to do with my spare “Katie” time now, however. I think I just might have to start following birds and squirrels around the yard, or maybe start stalking the mailman. Do ground squirrels “Tweet?”
- Rachel
Katie . . .this all gives me chills! However, the best words were to your father “I’m alive” . . .what relief you gave all of us!!!! Like Rachel above, I too have lots of time on my hands. . . but still check hourly to see what you are doing and were you are headed. . . I am sure your story has not ended.
Wishing LIV a great transport wherever she is headed and you also, safe travels! As always, looking forward to your next post!!! Thanks for sharing your life with the world.
head in the clouds… next adventure….
What could it mean?
Possibilities: 1) She wants to be the first woman to fly around the world? Nah, that doesn’t require the kind of physical endurance of rowing and running and swimming and biking. 2) First 22-year-old to blast into space? Again, aside for the training, no big whup after rowing across the Atlantic. 3) First person named Katie Spotz to inspire people around the world? Hmm. Been there, done that.
OK, there’s nothing for it but another post. Come on, tell us!
oh Katie – thank you for sharing these final moments of this adventure with all of us! I’m so glad you made it up the ladder (i was SO worried about you walking!) got the watermelon, had a pina colada and got to sleep in a BED! Awesome! You did so great. Can’t wait to hear about your next adventure! But please have a nice long break – spend some time having fun with your family and friends! Oh i can begin to imagine the RELIEF felt by your Mom! I have a son a little older than you who has done 2 tours in Iraq so i “get” the worry AND relief!
elli
Following your tweets and posts seemed to make winter pass more quickly and smoothly than in past years. After all, I could eat what I wanted, feel safe in my stationery bed, and luxuriate in a tub. But, I didn’t get to experience the joyful silence or see the boundlessness that you did. Ah…. what moments you must have had! That was quite a sesshin!
Thanks for the update post Katie. I have been following your whole trip + got my 11 year old cousin watching you too! Such an inspiration. I’m originally from mayfield heights [right by you!] but now live in Denver, CO. Good luck with the next adventure in your life. I’m sure you already have something planned
Katie … again.. WELCOME HOME!! we DO take a lot for granted, don’t we? Like climbing a ladder, walking straight without falling down, the welcome faces of family and friends, the taste of fresh fruit, sleeping thru the night in a soft, comfy bed, and even… casinos! Can’t wait to start catching up on all your interviews. And again, we are so proud of you. I cannot say that too many times. Now that you’ve weathered your days at sea, we wish you safe travels home, back to Ohio, where it has been lovely weather, much warmer than it should be for this time of year. I hope you are greeted with sunshine when you come home. (altho, you’ve probably had enough sunshine to last a lifetime, maybe I should wish you a beautiful snowfall!!!)
Michelle
oh this is so brave. You are so great… If i am on your situation i can’t do that. I can’t say that i can finish that and i am afraid of sea… i dunno how to swim
One long well deserved exhale
I will eagerly await your appearance on the Early Show, and then Rosie!
May your next adventures bring ever more awareness to the need for us to provide and care for our brothers, where ever they may be, as We are all parts of a much, much greater Whole than we can ever fathom–Lots of “Tiny specks in the Blue” connected by the invisible bonds of our own humanity.
Congrats on your record setting journey, glad your on firm land safely and want to thank you for posting your trip online, it was amazing to read your thoughts and Amazingly you stayed sane. I have 1 question, maybe someone has the answer, did your little bird friend make it to Guyana? I was rooting for her..
Katie,
As incredible and amazing as your accomplishment of rowing across the Atlantic is, think about this. At this moment you’ve raised enough money to provide a lifetime of safe water for 2,480 people….and counting. That’s 2,480+ people, most of them kids who will have a chance to grow up, play with their friends, get in trouble, get out of trouble, fall in love, raise a family, contribute to their communities, grow old, and hopefully make the world a better place. YOU’VE given them this chance, nobody else. And what’s more, they’ll never know they got this chance because YOU had the audacity to take on this challenge, the courage to set forth, and the determination to see it through.
The size of your dreams – and your accomplishments – inspires us like nothing else. You’ve made the world a better place for those 2,480+ people and for those of us who’ve followed your journey. You’ve expanded our concept of what’s possible. All I can say is “Thank You”, and I’m anxious to see how you’ll make a difference in the future. One thing I know for sure – it won’t be small potatoes. Welcome home.
Mark
I’m so glad your safe!
I can easily echo the sentiments that Mark wrote. What you have done is incredible – not just for yourself, but for all the people in the world that will benefit from your sacrifices. I keep thinking of the picture that I saw posted on your site of those little children getting water to drink from a dirty watering hole and they didn’t even know any different.
My first graders are so thankful that you made it home safely and they too wondered how Hobs fared?
I look forward to hearing more about your remarkable journey on the Early Show on Thursday. You have made the newspapers here in Ashtabula and Lake Counties more than once in the last couple of days and everyone is SO proud of you.
Don’t be nervous for tomorrow – just tell it like it was. We are all waiting to hear more. Welcome home.
Welcome back! And congratulations – you’re amazing!
This brought a thought of you…
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter. -John Muir, naturalist, explorer, and writer (1838-1914)
From A. Word. A. Day with Anu Garg
Wordsmith.org
Your incredible approach to challenges and life in general as expressed in your blogs has created a magnetism to draw out “friends” from complete strangers. Many of us who have followed you so closely these past months have never met you but now count you among our “good friends”. Thank you again for allowing us to “ride along” in the wonderful experience. Can’t wait to see what you tackle next !!!
Like so many others have said, I’m so glad you are back safe and so impressed by your accomplishment. I feel I have made a friend and look forward to following your future adventures.
Congratulations and God Bless,
Alan and Fam
From “Land Ho” to The Early Show:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/18/earlyshow/main6311030.shtml
Welcome back and a pleasure to talk with ya!
Once again an inspirational expression of what one can do when you put your <3 into it.
You GO Katie!!!
*Be sure to thoroughly enjoy the abundance of oh so good food and live shows NYC has to offer!
Blessings ~*~
Hi Katie,
I’m a bit late responding to this post but I am ever so glad you are back on land and that you navigated the ladder. I think most of us were thinking about how walking on land would be… hmmmm, did I hear, on to the next adventure??? Please don’t forget to let us all know so we can resume our seats in the cheering section once again. It feels kind of strange now that you have finished, no one to cheer on but I am sure you will remedy that sometime in the future.
Congratulations – YOU DID IT!!!
Beth
Thanks for taking us on this journey with you. You are a gifted individual with a huge heart for mankind. Glad you are safe and sound. Looking forward to hearing more about this amazing experience. Certainly look forward to where this experience may lead you and us as well. Thanks you’re terrific!
Hi Katie,
Here in Holland I’ ve read almost all your blogs.
What you did was awesome! To me it is unbelievable, and very fascinating to realise how it should be being on a very small boat, on a very big ocean, as a ‘very small girl’, on a very big challenge.
My only conclusian can be that you did a great job!
Congratulations!
Arnoud
Katie,
Thank you for the last little “all is well”. I have so enjoyed your adventure, I am a little at a loss without keeping up on your progress. You are such an amazing person, your attitude was impecable throughout all your corrospondance, and so capable physically.
Thank you for all you are!
All my best for all the rest!
Michelle
To Katie Spotz. . . the “True” Wonder Woman,. . .Thank you for sharing your experiences with all and for your contribution to those who will benefit from the money that was raised,. . .Bless you!
I am sure your mother is looking forward to welcoming you home!!!!!
Unbelievable and heart taking journey accomplished with your brave ability of rowing on ocean. Here is my Madelia and appreciation for you baby. You are so great and wonderful. God bless you for ever.
Congratulations!
When my twin daughters were 5 I took them on a 27 mile hike on the Applachian Trail in North Carolina. They walked all the way. When they both made college all-American status in swimming and were asked to what did they owe their success they simply said, “27 miles”. For you the sky is the limit! Congratulations!
heard your interview this morning with Mike McConnell, on WLW radio, Cincinnati, Ohio. truly remarkable!! fantastic interview!! you are one sharp cookie!!!!
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