Giving Back

    This is something I should have posted about a long time ago.  A while back I was offered an opportunity I couldn't refuse.  A friend of mine at Camp Lejeune, NC (the biggest and most important Marine Corps base on the east coast) called and asked if I would be interested in working with the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Lejeune.  Lemme stop here and give you some background.
    When I was a little, future kayaker my daddy was in the Navy, he was a SeaBee.  Because of this and a strong sense of patriotism I went to college with the sole purpose of getting a degree and attempting to enter the Navy as an officer.  Well, that didn't happen 'cause the Navy said I was a bad boy in high school, and I was.  My pride and honor for those who serve has never diminished in the 25 years since then although most of my political views have changed dramatically with age, education and wisdom(?).  One of my strongest views is that the village idiot from TX that used to be our president sorely used our service members. 
    And now I have a chance to possibly improve the lives of some of those who have given so much. Well, I jumped at the chance, set up an interview and took the job without asking what the pay was. For almost two years now I have proudly been the kayak coach to the Wounded Warrior Battalion East detachment at MCB Camp Lejeune!
     I've paddled many miles with my Marines since then and I've never stopped being grateful for the opportunity.  I will never forget nor let other Americans forget the depth of gratitude and honor that we owe these men and women!







   
   

Charleston!

Robert landed in Charleston this morning to attend the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival.
Latitude:32.72916 Longitude:-79.99465

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Sullivan's Island

After a cool foggy morning and a day of wind, Robert's position tonight: Latitude:33.03826 Longitude:-79.56093

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Enroute

Robert's location last night:
Latitude:33.0383 Longitude:-79.56089

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He said yesterday morning when breaking down his camp, he had to shake the bug parts out of his tent and there were blood splatters everywhere from smacking the beasts! All around his stove there was singed mosquito carnage.

Trek to Charleston -Night 1

Melissa reporting in:
Mother Nature has reminded Robert just how much he doesn't know!
He had high reviews for the staff at East Bay Park in Georgetown, SC. But tonight on Cedar Island is another story. He said he'd not see another boat or soul for hours. And as he landed and started setting up camp huge mosquitos descended. He was very nearly sucked to a dry husk before he managed to put on a storm cag to try and gain some protection as he got the tent up. At our last phone conversation he feared they would realize they could all team up and pick up the tent and carry him off like a giant burrito. He said there were so many hitting the tent that it sounded like rain! He pulled as many supplies as he could near the zipper so he could just dart a hand out for what he needed. Not sure this in the man alone communing with nature that he'd hoped for!
Last position: Latitude:33.13423 Longitude:-79.2472

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Trek to Charleston-Day 1

Melissa here, signing in for Robert.
Robert had to modify his original plan for the paddle to Charleston. Just after noon today he checked in at Latitude:33.35687 and Longitude:-79.28007

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He'll paddle out into Winyah bay and later the ocean.

W2C Postponed and Abbreviated

Hello all,
If you come to this blog to follow my paddle from Lake Waccamaw to Charleston I am sorry to disappoint you. Due to a death in my family I was unable to begin on schedule. Due to this delay I must shorten the trip and begin in Georgetown SC on Monday the 12th. This new starting point will alow me to paddle the second half of the original route, from Winyah Bay to James Island County Park in Charleston and still attend the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival. You should still be able to follow me on this blog.