Author: jvmullin

My planned training run today was Wareham to Falmouth crossing Buzzards Bay and the shipping channel that leads to the Cape Cod Canal.

I made the start of Hog Channel and started to cross. I made it to the green bell buoy when the wind kicked up. I immediately went from 2 foot chop to 4 to 6 coming in all directions. 

Abort abort!!

I turned around and headed back towards Great Hill (Stoney Point to locals) point to calmer water. I would stop occasionally to study the action of the wind and water and also what effect it had on the kayak. 

As I approached the point I hear diesel motors behind me and thought it was a fishing boat. The engine noise kept increasing and decreasing as the boat sped up and slowed down. This isn’t normal so I turned around to see the coast guard off my starboard stern.

I think I surprised them when I called them on the radio.

“Coast Guard boat off Stoney Point behind the orange kayak…this is the orange kayak do you need me?”

Silence…..”.orange kayak this is the coast guard we just wanted to know if you are okay”

“Coast Guard orange kayak I am an avid open  water kayaker doing a training run for a 2000 mile trip next year I am fine”

I can hear someone say what?

“Orange kayak okay we got to go”

” coast Guard thanks for checking up on me appreciated”

Glad I carry a radio so I could get them back on patrol and to know I can reach them if I really did need them.

Today I spent all day with maps, charts, books, computer with Google maps and spreadsheets.

I have plotted my course on the charts but they aren’t very good at showing towns. The maps show the towns but no details of the town. So Google maps in satellite mode shows details. Once I find a place to hold a fundraiser close to the water then the town and place get entered into the spreadsheet. Then I place a gold star on the chart to mark it.

Once the charts are gold star and all notations are added they get laminated.

Then it is time to email possible sponsors for equipment and keep my fingers crossed.

A side note I must mention. My good friend and kayak buddy gave me a container of red feather pins.  I researched the significance of the red feather. Native Americans say that if you receive a red feather it is a sign of strength and integrity. I thanked John for them and he stated that I have more than anyone he knows or has met. 

Embarking on this journey that means allot to me. So when you see me with my Mission 22 hat on you will see the red feather.

TThank you Bending Branches for being a sponsor. Thank you Kristine for working with me to get the Navigator Plus paddle.

I checked out the paddle yesterday under various conditions and found no issues with the performance at all. 

The 28 ozs. makes you wonder if you are even holding the paddle. The way the blade enters the water and exits is real smooth. The only force I felt was moving the blade through the water and even that was minimum. 

After 2 hours of paddling I felt like I hadn’t gone out at all.

II is hard working a full time job then doing research, generating spreadsheets, sending out emails, trying to get sponsors. so much work so little time. Then on days off I have to do training for 7 hours.

BUT when I think of what my fellow vets are going through it makes it all worth the time and effort.

I am always talking it up with my customers and getting some great response others think I am crazy.

My name is Joseph Mullin, I am a disabled veteran. I have 4 grown wonderful children who understand why I am doing this.

I have a graduate and an undergraduate degree. I have 20 years of experience performing underwater recovery within emergency management so I am highly versed in risk/benefit assessment. I have been around the ocean a my life, swimming, surfing, scuba diving, and now kayaking. I love kayaking.

I study the water every time I go out. The movement, the action, the directions, the different shapes of swells, chop, waves and even wakes. If you can read the water then you can find the best path to paddle along.

I have PTSD from my underwater recovery experience. I can somewhat relate to what my brother and sister veterans are going through although I could never fully fathom what they have experienced.

Let me tell you what one of my episodes is like:

The rush of emotions all at once can be quite overwhelming. fight or flight, depression, anxiety, confusion, frightened, apprehensive, loneliness and  fear.

I am lucky in that I realize what is happening and I need to be alone long enough to get my head straight again. I know what triggers my episodes so I try to avoid them or I have to prepare myself in advance to discuss the situations. Even then I get emotional.

This is why I chose Mission 22 and why I embark on this journey to raise awareness that this is real and we have to do what we can to help.

I hope you follow along as I prepare and make this journey and that you will support the cause and spread the word.

To all my fellow Viet Nam veterans out there welcome home and I would love to shake your hand at one of the stops I will be making. I extend the same invitation to all veterans. There is a bond among veterans that can’t be explained nor can it be broken not matter which branch you served in and I include the Coast Guard as well.

 

 

 

 

Spent yesterday researching TV, radio, and newspapers down the coast.

Starting with TV I have compiled a spreadsheet of all the stations and I am in process of sending press release.

Next will be radio the newspapers.

I have asked for Mission 22 for help with fundraisers. My answer was Cindy from Mission 22. I know she is going to be a great partner. Thank you Cindy!!!.

Awaiting answers from Necky Kayaks and Delta kayaks as to who will be my sponsor. From a marketing side how can you resist your kayak doing 2000 miles in varying conditions and making it in one piece. Also wiring to hear from Backpackers Pantry. Again a great marketing opportunity if you take it. 

We will have to wait and see.

Bending Branches is sponsoring me. They are shipping a Navigator Plus paddle tomorrow. I look forward to using the paddle and getting it set up for the trip.

Thank you Kristina you are awesome!!

Since this is my first time doing this I had no idea how much prep work there is.

Trying to get sponsors, trying to figure out where I am stopping and where I can fundraiser raise for Mission 22.

Working my regular job, training, and trying to do prep work. I am still charting the lower half of the route. 

I will be seeking help soon. Anyone know how to set up fundraisers who do you contact what do you say?

Planning Expedition by Joseph Mullin

There is much more than just planning a trip. For one thing an expedition last longer. There is more to consider, safety logistics, food, water, clothing, shelter, communications, and charts.

I am looking to paddle 2,000 miles next year solo so far. I figure it will take 8 months. I welcome any expert sea kayakers to join me if not for the whole distance then whatever you feel comfortable doing.

I have charts for the whole trip and I am plotting courses noting compass bearing and notating danger zones and tide checks. I am stockpiling freeze dried food and other necessities. I have made modifications to my kayak to improve integrity and increase hatch integrity.  I have added navionics and tide apps to my phone. I also have the Coast Guard app so I can do daily float plans and email them to my family and a friend.

One must have a great understanding of tides and currents as well as the rules to navigation. One must also realize that most boaters either ignore the rules or do not know them so always give right away for your safety and those with you.

Another thing of major importance is that the plans you make are not written in stone.  Conditions can change in a moment’s notice out on the water. One must be ready to make assessments and revise or scrap and make whole new plans. What I call adapt and improvise.  I have 20 years of emergency management experience where we were good at risk/benefit analysis and making rapid decisions based on that assessment.

I am frequently asked if I will be in sight of land at all. times. The answer is most of the time but there are areas where I will not be in sight of land but will have to rely on my compass bearings to get me to the next land mass. The other question is will I follow along the shoreline. The answer is not right on the shoreline but within 3 miles of it. I have found in my experience that the water is calmer out about ½ to ¾ of a mile from shore.  If you are crossing harbors or island hoping that distance could easily reach 3 to 5 miles. If you are not comfortable with these distances then this trip is not for you.  What seas will you paddle in? The answer is, up to 6 foot swells is what I am comfortable in with up to 20 mph winds gusting to 30. These are conditions that I train in for this expedition.

I think that the things I have going for me is that I don’t panic in any situation. I clearly assess the situation and find the best solution. I do not quit. There is always a better path to take if you know how to read the water. Do not focus on how your body feels focus on the end of the destination the goal and you will get there.  Keep focused and keep your head straight.

It is also good to have a purpose a cause for what you are doing.  Mine for this expedition is Mission 22 to raise awareness that 22 of my brother and sister vets are committing suicide and I find this unacceptable.

If you would like to follow my progress I have a website set up already, ACSKE2017.org

Leave questions and comments on the sight and I will answer them.

 

I have a doctor’s appointment next week. I am hoping they clear me to go back to work so I can also get back to training. 

I would like to thank Bending Branches paddles for the great offer they are giving me. It will help. I will be taking g them up on the offer soon.