What’s with all this double pledge-paddle business?

Greetings, Gentle Reader,

“Yo! What’s with all this double pledge-paddle business?” you are no doubt asking. “I thought this was to be a blog recounting high adventure; imminent peril, heroic sacrifice, and happy endings! Instead, this is trending towards the Home Shopping Network!”

Fret not, Gentle Reader. The plot has thickened, but only a little. Here’s the Cliff Notes version, then back to More High Adventure. I promise.

You see, Brian and I both went to Loomis and share a great affection for our Old School. Since Brian will be rowing along in his boat, he has sensibly suggested that we expand the philanthropic reach of this adventure to any and all Pelicans who’d like to climb into our boats…hence, the two paddles. I can’t imagine that anyone will have to straddle a fence on this since the only “overlap” of loyalty between Boys’ Latin and Loomis is yours truly, and I’m pledging to both so as not to be caught in the middle. I have enough voices in my head as it is.

Does that clear it up? So, Pelicans: Welcome!! Lakers, keep piling it on!! This is not a competition, folks…it’s simply a senseless row for a sensible- even laudable- common cause, so climb aboard!

Otherwise, row preparations are underway. We’ll be on the water on June 21, a scant ten days from now. Brian continues to flog the (two) rowing machine(s) by his pool(s?) and will arrive ripped, buff, and ready to take on the roiling Rideau, Ottawa, St Lawrence, and Champlain waters. I, on the other hand, went shopping today for dry pack tuna fish and those little non-refrigerated portions of mayonnaise which you usually have to steal from diners. We each prepare in our own way.

I’ve just finished reading Roz Savage’s account of her 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic (yes, reading also counts as “preparation”, just as Robert Preston’s “Think Method” assisted the youth of River City). Savage gained almost twenty pounds before her departure, correctly anticipating that she would need this store of energy as she propelled herself across the big pond. I have claimed Roz’s strategy as my own, calling Brian and happily declaring, “I’m ready! I’ve got those 20 pounds on tap, and maybe then some.” That this store of energy will have to be converted to propulsive power through some modicum of muscle has not eluded me, and I think I’ll get to the gym this afternoon and look over the weight machines.

Many of you may wonder what “a typical day” will look like once underway, and I promise to get into the nits and nats of the expedition in the next blog. I also plan to heap praise on our boats and the folks as Adirondack Guide Boat. Over 2,000 miles of rowing on these kinds of expeditions have convinced me that there is no better craft imaginable for this kind of adventure…provided that the aging power plant is up to the task.

Mo’ latah’, Gentle Reader!