An Expedition to Inspire Outdoor Desire
According to the EPA, Americans spend 93% of their lives indoors. Half of those waking hours are spent parked—8 hours a day—staring at a screen.
This information comes at a time when a growing body of evidence confirms the physical and mental health benefits that come from communing with nature. And further research suggests that time outdoors also has a profound effect on the personal sense of stewardship for our natural resources that stands as our best hope for saving the planet. Such knowledge should serve as a wake-up call for anyone who’s ever stared into the night sky and yearned for a deeper connection to the world beyond ourselves.
My name is John Connelly, and I have made a career of getting people into the outdoors, having memorable, and sometimes life-changing experiences. As one more step in my quest to inspire people to get into the outdoors, I decided to share with everyone my epic solo expedition that I did for my sixtieth birthday. In April of 2016, I launched a 75-day river/ocean odyssey that carried me over 2 countries, 4 states, 22 streams, 58 lakes, and 1500 miles; 800 miles by canoe and 700 miles by sea kayak. An outfitter and guide in adventure travel for decades, as leader of L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery School for 10 years and a former member of the US Canoe & Kayak team, with numerous whitewater first-descents to my credit, and a deep understanding of my tolerance for taking measured risks, I believed that I was uniquely qualified to meet this challenge.
A First- With this PaddleQuest 1500 expedition, I also earned the distinction of being the first to link The Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Saint John River, Bay of Fundy, and Maine Island Trail—with the goal of garnering increased support for the two nonprofit organizations that maintain these world-class water trails, The Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Maine Island Trail Association. A portion of sales from the book benefits each of these nonprofits.
The Story
The adventure memoir of the expedition, Dying Out Here Is Not An Option, chronicles the 75 days in a way that I am told is engaging, entertaining, and is a page turner. I tell the story in a way that puts you in the boat with me, but spares the reader from hearing what I had for breakfast each day. I show you what is interesting and makes you want to read onward!
Presentations & Book Signings
Upon completion, I had a rigorous tour of talks, presentations and book signings about my journey. I continue to give talks and presentations from local outdoor clubs to key note speaking at national conferences. It has been exciting for me to tell the story and to inspire even more people, including young people, to participate in canoeing, kayaking, and the outdoors generally, getting them excited and motivated to get out there living their own adventures!
My Mission
I want to make a difference in the world by getting people outdoors to appreciate the incredible, wild resources available to them. I want people to enjoy the mental, physical and emotional benefits that can only be found out there and pay it back by conserving and stewarding our resources for generations to come. You only save what you love. And I want to help people love our natural world.
Traci Lynn Martin
Dear Mr Connelly,
I would love to be able to meet up with you in August, and talk to you in person regarding your amazing trip. (I will be in the Maine area in August, doing some scouting and paddling along the coastline).
I am also planning a similar journey as yours, and your experience and knowledge will be invaluable to me!
A little bit about myself… I live in Missouri and I am an experienced expedition kayaker and successful ultra-endurance competitive kayak racer.
In 2015 and again for 2016 I became one of only two female paddlers whom are being sponsored by Midwest Paddle Racing.
I have been a competitive kayak racer since 2008 and have taken first place in the women’s solo division dozen’s of times.
To date, I have participated in the MR 340 eight times (2008 to 2015) and have placed in the top three in my division 4 times, and have won first place in the women’s solo division twice (2011 and 2013).
Besides taking 1st place in women’s solo dozen’s of times, I have also set Course Record’s in the women’s solo division in:
2012 during The Gritty Fitty Kayak Race on the Kansas River
2013 during The Freedom Race on the Missouri River
2015 during the Osage 36 Canoe / Kayak Race on the Osage River
2016 during the South Dakota Kayak Challenge on the Missouri River
My point for explaining my experience level is because I dont want you to think that I am someone who just woke up one day and decided to attempt to break a World Record in kayaking without any experience or knowledge regarding what I am attempting to do.
My goal, for 2017, is to set a new Guinness World Record for the most miles kayaked in one calendar year. I am attempting to break the record set by Freya Hoffmeister … I will attempt to kayak 8,600 miles in 265 days… My route will include the entire St Lawrence Seaway… I will circumnavigate all 5 of the Great Lakes, as well as paddling the St Lawrence River, and the upper East Coast along the Atlantic Ocean.
I know that I can set this new World Record. I know that I can get up every day and log the miles needed to achieve this record.. I am first and foremost an ultra-endurance kayak racer… that is why I truly believe that I can do this World Record…. I know that I can get up every day and get the miles done… that is what my body is use to doing… getting the miles done.
But, when it comes to the knowledge of the area, You are definitely the most experienced paddler whom I have read about. I would greatly value any advice or knowledge that you could share with me.
I should add, I planned out this route before I ever heard about your journey, … but the end of my route seems to mirror yours in many ways, and for that reason I would LOVE to be able to meet with you and discuss your journey and learn from what you did.
I would love to learn from your experience!
Your route, your drop off point for supplies, the equipment that you used, what worked and what didnt work, individuals whom helped you along the way, areas along the coastline that I need to be wary about…. all of it!
You may contact me by phone or text at 816-536-1384 or by email at http://www.justaroundthepointe@gmail.com
I TRULY hope to hear back from you.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Traci Lynn Martin
jconnelly
It was good to connect with you, Traci. Best of luck you your big adventure!
Wendell Harriman
John,
What an Absolutely Amazing Feat you have completed! I can only imagine all the wonders, wilds and tribulations you experienced throughout your endeavor! Being a novice outdoorsman, I too would love to accomplish such an adventure some day!
I am writing to you today as an Assisistant Scoutmaster With Troop 41 in Hampden Maine. Our Troop does the Allagash Wilderness Waterway annually. and the kids have a blast every year!!! You mention doing talks, and I thought “What a great idea!!” I believe your story would be great inspiration to the 55 plus scouts and leaders of this troop!
I am sure you are due some much needed rest and getting back to the swing of things, but when you are up to it and have some time, we would love to host you some time in the near future and hope to hear of your amazing adventure!!
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Wendell Harriman II.
jconnelly
It was spectacular! Incredible waterways, landscapes and seascapes. I knew it would be “challenging” and it certainly lived up to that, and more!
brad houston
Awesome! You are such an inspiration!
Brad Houston
jconnelly
Thank you, Brad!