A big thank you!!!

Dear readers,

We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for following along during our crazy little expedition from cabin "litlehorn" to cabin "Idabu." You all kept us going through thick and thin. Your inspiring comments in this blog, text messages, phone calls, emails, good thoughts and wishes, and moral support motivated us to keep paddling all the way to our final destination. We are astonished by all the kindnesses from friends and family, as well as from complete strangers! Those who opened their homes/cabins to us, who fed us and provided comfortable beds and warm showers, who went out of the way to meet us along the way, who generously sponsored fine restaurant meals, etc... We have no words to express our gratitude!

We have been out for 75 days, unable to paddle due to bad weather 19 days, kayaked 56 days, 1835 kilometers paddled which averages to 32.7 kilometers per day, a total of between 900,000-1.100,000 paddle strokes resulting in large biceps and smaller tuchuses (butts). We are now experts at setting up camp, packing kayaks, and preparing gourmet freeze-dried meals. We are both much more experienced and stable paddlers.

We have learned much about coastal weather conditions, currents, tides, and navigation. Our respect for the sea has grown immensely during this intense experience. We are astounded by the flabbergasting beauty of Norway's coastline, nature, and marine wildlife.

We have supported each other as best we could. Ilene has helped Bergliot through some frightening episodes in the sea, and Bergliot constantly helped Ilene on the dangerous slippery stones and seaweed on land. Of course, even during the times when we were irritated and mad at each other, we had to stick together nonetheless since Ilene had the tent and sleeping bags in her kayak, and Bergliot had the food in hers 😀 We are looking forward to celebrating our 14 year wedding anniversary on August 2 in a calm and relaxing setting.

We encourage every one of you to follow your crazy dreams. Anything is possible as long as you do it in your own way and in your own time 🙂