Ocean Adventure '11: Newfoundland bound
While I was busy thinking about all the ways I'll need to be prepared for my cross country bike ride in 2012, my bosum buddy Teresa was busy commiserating with her partner Ben, thinking of ways to convince me to come aboard their subarctic voyage to film a portion of their documentary.
I have known Teresa since 2006 when we were both boarding school teachers. She is by far one of the most spirited and interesting women I have ever met. She doesn't look older than 25 (she's actually 33) and she has her USCG Master captain's license, able to command vessels up to 500 gross tons. After we taught together in Lake Placid, I moved to St. Louis and she gave up most of her posessions, bought a small pocket cruiser sailboat and lived on it year round for two years. During this time she became a very successful blogger on simple living and living aboard boats.
Early this year, she and her partner began pre-production work on a documentary that would chronicle a journey north to Labrador, Canada in search of an iceberg. It wasn't long before I was asked to do PR for the film to drum up some interest and help raise some funds. Well, now they want me to do more! Friday, T asked me to come aboard and film for them for three weeks as they travel from Newfoundland back to Maine. I cannot express how excited I am!
It's a project that I really believe in... all along the voyage they stop in tiny villages that dot the coast to meet people who choose to live with less and in balance with their environment. All of their stories will be folded into the documentary and will hopefully answer their 'one simple question' about the relationship between happiness, the environment and possessions. It was really difficult to do PR from a landlocked state over a thousand miles away from their harbor home. My job is going to be so much more exciting, interesting and easier now that I will be a part of their voyage!
SO. I am leaving on Monday next week to go to Chicago. I'll couchsurf there for a night then fly to St. Johns. Once I'm in St. Johns I'm going to hitch hike and camp my way 350 km toward Fortune, Newfoundland and then hop the ferry to the French isles of St. Pierre and Miquelon where they will meet me. The trick is that it's all very weather dependent and I need to be extra flexible. At least Ben has a cell phone and I can call them when I get to St. Pierre!
I can't help but wish I already had a folding bike because how cool would it be to RIDE my bike to Fortune!? It would be SO cool is the answer.
Here's the website for our documentary:
http://simplequestionmovie.com/
There's already some blog posts about the journey if you're curious and hopefully I'll have some things to add to this thread while I'm on my way. We'll stop in local libraries to borrow the internet briefly.
Also, if you really believe in the importance of the film's message, I would be honored if you would contribute toward the films. The kickstarter campaign raised $10,000 of the necessary $15,000 for production costs and we are hoping to raise a bit more money for the duration of the voyage. Long story short, their first camera man was a very needy, expensive man. Luckily, I'm cheap and flexible! ;) If you can spare a dollar, five or ten, we'll gladly send you a postcard from the trip!!!
Can't wait to post pictures. It's going to be the biggest adventure of my life so far... (imagines the whales and porpoises we will see) :D
