Tip 2 Tip - 30 Days Until

Full route available on live tracker - Race Owl

I’m beyond excited to share this epic canoe journey across the United States, "Tip 2 Tip" with all of you, my Paddling Pals. I’ll be traveling from the northern tip of the country in Washington all the way to the southern tip in Florida. This isn’t just about getting from one place to another; it’s about diving into the heart of the country, experiencing the diverse landscapes, cultures, and people that make up the U.S. I’ll be documenting every step of the journey, sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between with you all through my social media, blog posts, and videos. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I can’t wait to experience it all with you!

This journey is a personal challenge for me. It’s about pushing myself, embracing new experiences, and connecting with both the places I visit and the people I meet along the way. I’ve always been passionate about travel and exploration, but this journey feels different—it’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about learning more about myself and the world around me. The idea of traveling from "tip to tip" came from my desire to see the country from the seat of my canoe. I am looking forward to slowing down to just a few miles an hour and really get under the skin of the country. Today we travel by all sorts of modes often opting for the easiest and fastest we can find. The drawback to this is you end up missing huge parts of the journey.

As I make my way from Washington to Florida, I’ll be experiencing a range of landscapes—each with its own challenges and beauty. In Washington I will face heavy rains, ocean paddling, and spring melt. In the Rocky Mountains I will be facing wicked elevation gain paddling up the Columbia River, the possibility of grizzly bears and mountain lions. In Montana I will be looking down the barrel of a 150 mile portage to cross the continental divide. In the Great Plaines I will face the possibility of being wind blown to shore for extended periods and large flatwater flowage crossings. Then onto the swamps of the south, with alligators and snakes. Finally after 6-8 months land on the beaches of Miami Florida. But it’s not just about the scenery or the wildlife, or even the excitement of being absolutely miserable; it’s also about the people I’ll meet and the stories I’ll uncover. I want to connect with locals, hear their stories, and experience the culture of each place I visit.

Of course, this trip won’t always be easy. I’ll be pushing myself physically and mentally, dealing with long days alone on the water, wildlife, and wild people. But that’s what makes the journey so exciting to me, every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Some people think this journey is to big to fathom, but I am reminded that every section of this entire route has been done before, to the best of my knowledge nobody has strung them together, but everything HAS been done. It's really quite simple, every day I have one goal, the same goal. Wake up, and go further. I have planned, packed, and repacked, and now there is nothing left but to just start stroking!