Getting ready packed the kayak except for a few essentials. After breakfast it will be pack the last few items then find the boat ramp and on my way to York Beach. May stop at Perkins Cove for lunch.
Had to abort and return to hotel another night. Paid more due to holiday weekend but my life and the success of the mission is worth it.
ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS
Spent day playing tourist but always on the mission. Spreading the word every chance I get. I can’t let up on that point it is too important. It is raining so I have to watch weather closely as I am leaving tomorrow or getting another night.
Have to figure out dinner if it is raining.
I called a campground in York Beach, ME. to make reservations for the next 3 nights due to some personal logistics. I was informed they didn’t tent sites. I explained that I am coming by kayak and I am in the process of kayaking the coast for Mission22 raising awareness about veteran suicide and PTSD. They will make a site for me.
I am feeling that compassion for our veterans is still alive and it is bringing peace to my own torments. This trip is therapeutic for me as well as helping my brothers and sisters.
The more I paddle the more people that I talk to the better that I feel.
ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS
Talking with the office at Bayley’s campground I made a first. I was the first kayak camper ever to stay at Bayley’s. They took a picture to put on their facebook page and mention Mission22.
Portaged the kayak to the public boat ramp to launch.
On the way met a few veterans and stopped to talk to them. As soon as I get the picture that was taken I will post it here.
The plan was to make a run to York Beach. However with a late start I didn’t make it.
I am glad that I stopped at Camp Ellis to check my progress because was at the mouth of the Saco river which is notorious for taking kayakers life with strong currents. After a short wait it was going to be slack tide and time to make the run. Crossed with zero issues.
I got as far as Cape Porpoise and started a night run when the sun went down. Navigating by GPS is not easy. I decided it would be safer to land and figure something else out.
It appears that I was only 1.3 miles from Kennebunkport and a hotel that was l looking at. So mapping the route I started to portage the kayak again. So I am here for 2 days.
Gonna play tourist tomorrow for some r&r.
What authority do I have to talk to others about suicide? Well let me tell as having failed twice at age 17 and thought about it on two other occasions I think I have the experience.
At 17 not thinking I had any future at anything, I wasn’t athletic, I wasn’t a popular guy, I didn’t have a great job or fancy clothes, s I saw no future.
First attempt I thought I would drive my car at high speed into a bridge abutment. SO I got in my car started it up and put it in drive. As soon as I hit the gas the drive shaft feel out, not one end but both ends.
Second attempt, I had a 22 rifle so I took a 22 long hollow point round and cut a dumb dumb head. Put it in my mouth pulled the trigger misfire. I opened the breach turned the round 1/4 turn went in the back yard pointed it at the ground and blew a hole in the ground.
I couldn’t even succeed at suicide.
Forward to the future, I had lost my first wife to cancer after having 2 children, I remarried but divorced after having 2 children. My career as an electronic engineer was over due to rampant and blatant age discrimination. I was in debt and living out of my 26 foot toyhauler. Lonely, depressed, and thinking the thought that many think. I contemplated it.
Here is what you think;
I am so screwed up it isn’t worth living
If I am gone nobody will care
I will not be missed by anybody
There is no way I can be normal again or have what I once had.
My family hates me or doesn’t understand me.
My 20 years of underwater recovery has changed me maybe permanently. I threw a switch that makes me impervious to death. I have zero emotion about death. I had to do this in order to perform my job. Well it has been 16 years since I was on the team and I haven’t figured out how to undo the switch. It bothers me that I can’t go back but I have resigned myself to the fact that I may not ever be able to. It makes me feel less human.
What keeps me going? The fact that my children love me and want me around even with all my faults. My brother and sisters want me around also.
So veterans families here is the deal unless you lived it you will not understand the horrors your loved one went through .Don’t try to get them to talk because it will only frustrate them worse. I went to a therapists about my issues from the dive team every time she tried to help it made it worse to the point I walked out. You have to accept the fact that they will never be the same person again just try to move forward and do not give up on them.
Veterans it takes a much stronger person to ask for help than it does to try to carry the load alone. Find other combat veterans and talk to them because they understand and it will help you all move forward. It will give you purpose helping your fellow vets and start you on the road to a better life for you and your family.
Teach your children how to fish and camp. Focus on the beauty of nature around you maybe take up photography because your view will be much different than others. Take up kayaking or bicycling.
I am kayaking the whole east coast for you guys why because I feel I am doing something to help my brothers and sisters heal also it is therapeutic for me.
I hope this helps those who read it understand that there is hope and that you need to move forward. Be the new you don’t dwell on the horrors look at the good things in your life and adapt and improvise.
ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS
Good weather calm seas. A good day to make a long run. Left Little Chebeaque island and headed for Long Island then skirted Peaks and Cushing Island.
I pulled in next to the ferry dock at Peaks island and went to a small cafe for breakfast. Delicious pastries. Nice people. One ypoung lady waiting for the ferry said hi to me so I told about what I was doing. She came into the cafe and wanted to know if we could go outside for a selfie so she could spread the word. No problem glad to do it.
Paddled from Cushing to Portland Head then down the coast. Word of warning for anyone kayaking this area the southside of Portland Head will suck you into the rocks if you get to close so give fair distance around this side like 3/4 to a mile distance,
Stopped at Cresent beach to rest and refuel. Tide went out and I got help to get boat in the water.
Couldn’t cut through between the beach and Richmond island so I had to go around. Another spot to give very wide bearth to. I didn’t go wide enough and ended up fighting through 4 crashing waves.
By the time I made it around Richmond Island I was pretty far off shore so I just started heading for this point. Turns out the other side of that point leads right to Old Orchard Beach and to Bayleys campground.
Met Dave who was pulling his boat he offer to put the kayak in his boat and take me to the campground and my site. Thanks Dave great guy.
Settled in we will see what tomorrow brings
ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS
Forecast more rain n wind. Hunkerdown day 2.
Still no signs of ticks. Spiders and sand jumpers yes.
Dsaniel Carr form MITA called me there were a few hours of no rain so we could do a short paddle.
Dan being a great guy brought me out provisions.
We talked for awhile and never got to paddle but it was a good time.
Ran out of butane in both lighters before I could light a fire. Dinner was jerky protein bars and water.
Slept well.
ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS
The best plans don’t always happen.
2 years ago my good friend and kayaking buddy John Taylor and I were kayak camping in Casco Bay. The plan was to go to Baileys Island to Morses Cribstone restaurant for lunch but, we never made it.
SO I thought that I would paddle to Bailey’s island and have lunch then paddle to Jewell to camp for the night.
Main can be cruel in May. She let me get close again then stirred up the wind and water and made me bid a hasty retreat. While kayaking back to mainland I stopped for a rest on Long Island and was informed that I could camp on Little Chebeaque island.
I went to set up camp on the more leeward side and figured in the grass 2was good. until the ticks started crawling on everything. Pulled stakes shook out the gear and retreated for the sand.
No ticks made dinner went to bed.
One Man One Mission To Save Thousands
Today is shopping day. West Marine on Marginal Way should have my CTug by noon. I need to replace my marine radio and binoculars. I will see what else I need while there.
Okay here is the plan;
Launch from Bug Light Park to Fort Georges island, To little Diamond, stay west of Peaks past the north sand then head east, once past Vaill island head north east past Cliff to Bailey’s island. Have lunch at Morse’s Cribstone. After lunch head back to Jewel island to camp.
Monday pack and leave Jewel to Portland Head light, head south down the coast to just north of Old Orchard Beach to Bailey’s campground.
A large number of people are following this blog. I am sure it is interesting and some are living vicariously through my adventure.
I am coursing through waters that locals wouldn’t attempt to this time of year and they commend me on surviving Maine’s brutal beating and off season weather not stopping me.
However, I have not received many notifications that Mission22 is getting donations. So whole I am successful at abusing my body for a great cause I feel I am failing in my mission.
So my mantra will be in every blog here out. I have thought about monitizing the site so you have to pay to read it with all monies going to Mission22.
My purpose has not been to kayak the coast that is my end point. My mission is one that is focused on one thing and my existence is based on this…
ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS.
to be successful I need to see donations start pouring in or I have failed.
My everyday vocabulary is about the Mission22. I draw attention to myself so more people will hear and hopefully respond with their wallet. To succeed I need your help to keep spreading the word and getting donations. Please help me succeed.
Also veterans contact your local post o the coast and ask them, “Why aren’t you helping this guy by setting up fundraisers? He is trying to help fellow veterans.”
Here is the webpage, contact through it with a comment.
I awake early 😦 can’t get back to sleep.
Coast Guard is having Paddle Safety Day.
Get to station and meet other kayakers and Coast Guard people.
Very little media, seems there is an active shooter going on and the media is there.
I did get 2 interviews in and gave Mission22 good plugs.
The Coast Guard finally located my package and I am replenished with Mission22 gear, stickers n bracelets.
Maine in May really takes a toll on your hear. Tomorrow going to West Marine to replace some gear. Looking to launch Sunday morning and head to Baileys island for lunch. Then maybe camp on Raspberry before heading south again.
I am taking it easy the rest of the trip no pushing it rushing is over unless lightening and open water are involved.
acske2017 