The Cross Continent Canoe Safari
From Montreal, Canada to the Barring Sea, Alaska
April 17, 1971 to October 10, 1971
December 4 1971 Newsletter No. 11
All praise and glory to God!
In a rainbow of mixed emotions, and a deep sense of personal satisfaction, Clint and I paddled that last stroke, laid our paddles across the canoe and just sat there looking out over the Bering Sea for a few minutes. We reveled in the moment and the accomplishment that was ours alone, soaking up hard-earned salt spray, as the canoe bobbed in the rough seas from a strong cold wind out the north. We had accomplished what we had set out to do, against nearly impossible odds; we had arrived - this was as far as we were going - and it was far enough! It had been a tremendous experience.
Right at noon on October 10, 1971, we reached the Bering Sea at the mouth of the Mighty Yukon River (the 4th largest river in the world) 176 days and 7000 miles is a long ways when measured by a canoe paddle - a stroke at a time - 5,184,999 of them!
Apparently, we have, as a side effect, set some kind of a
record or two: 1. The only two people, past or present, to ever paddle this full
route by man power alone, in less than 6 months; 2. The most miles ever traveled
in a 2 man canoe in less than 6 months. In all of our extensive reading,
research and inquiries, we know of only 2 other men who have ever paddled this
route; Geoffrey Pope and Taylor, back in 1936-37 - 2 years and 2 canoes. We have
heard of others who have attempted it but none ever came close to make it. A
lot of things have to go right.
At this time, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all who were so helpful and encouraging. Many thanks to you, Darwin, for the great job on these news letters and the many other ways you have helped and boosted the whole enterprise. I dare not begin to name names. I just might mention one very wonderful person - my number one fan and booster, without whose full cooperation and moral support this trip would never have begun; my wife, Jenny. One of the more frequently asked questions is, "What does your wife think of all this?" Well, this should answer that - she has been behind me 100 % as most enthusiastic encourager, willingly shouldering the burdens and responsibilities left behind and as she did all within her power to make the trip a success and a pleasure. And publicly and privately, I express my heartfelt gratitude to my God and Savior, who cared and answered prayer and saw us through many a tight spot. I am very conscious that, in that respect, we did not make the trip alone. But He is the only One we ever did accept any help from! We met some exceptional people and made some wonderful friends - this alone was worth the trip.
- Verlen Kruger
For More Information Contact:
Kruger
Canoes LLC
P.O.
Box 92 Irons, MI 49644
Tel: 231-266-2089
FAX:
Internet:
mark@krugercanoes.com