and so it begins!

The crew is beginning to congregate in Invermere and I wish we were there too. What kind of captain remains behind when the crew hits the water? Andrea and Emma still have another week of school before we can depart, so I just have to hope that my preparations were enough and that my crew will manage without me. Is there any doubt? I have still have million things to do, most of the team arrangements have been made so now I can focus on getting myself and the girls ready. I'm still sewing costumes.....

The first entry in this blog should have been an introduction to Boona and her crew.....but other things have taken priority. So here is a short summary of who we are and how we got here.

Boona is a 29 foot Langley style voyageur canoe. She was purchased by Totem Outfitters for their team entry in the 2008 David Thompson Brigade. Although many people remember this bright yellow canoe, Boona left the brigade before I arrived so I wasn't aware of her existence until Brooke became her new owner in 2010. We were introduced last summer when Brooke was passing through on her way to Thunder Bay to complete Boona's journey to Montreal! Brooke and I had already decided to enter Boona in the Columbia River Brigade so I was very excited to paddle this fantastic canoe.

So that is where we started. We had one canoe, two friends and my two daughters. Not quite enough to paddle an eight seat canoe 1800 km down the Columbia River. My schedule was more open so I was nominated as captain and I began the search for new crew members. It has been an interesting journey. Jean, another 2008 DTB alumni was quick to join us and has been an invaluable asset. Doug followed not long after with the offer of a support vehicle so we had the foundation of a crew. Others have joined and we now have 20 members who will paddle some or all of the 45 day brigade. Our members are from BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Wisconsin and Illinois. Some of us have met before others will become new friends as we share this experience. Everyone is excited to get started.

Tomorrow is registration and orientation day in Invermere. Thursday is training day and the official launch of the 2011 David Thompson Columbia River Brigade will take place on Friday June 3.