Susan Marie Conrad spoke at our May 19 meeting about her 2010 sea kayak journey launching from Puget Sound that took her to Juneau ,  Alaska. 

 

Susan has been involved in paddle sports for 25 years.  She wrote a memoir called “Inside – One Woman’s Journey to the Inside Passage.”   Released just last week. 

 

Susan’s life partner, Ben Wells, is a local attorney.  They live in Oso.  Susan procrastinated on writing the book.  It took many years to write the book.  Hope to inspire and enrich the readers. 

 

Five year old cousin drowned in a nearby river and her parents forbade her from going anywhere near the water.  Her first boating experience hooked her.  New found perspective she found intoxicating. 

 

A person doesn’t take a trip, a trip takes a person.  She paddled from Anacortes to Juneau, Alaska.   Many others had gone before her.  She simply embarked on a journey of the sea and the soul.  1,148 miles took her 66 days.  Six resupply points/seven legs. 

 

It was not always an enjoyable experience.  Some misery and mayhem. 

 

The journey took her through three different ecosystems.  Hitched a ride on a boat for a short ride.  At one point, Susan rented a room in a hostel for three days to resupply, eat, and sleep.   Camped at the base on a glacier. 

Susan had to keep tabs on her fears to prevent her from being paralyzed and failing.  One of those fears was bears.

 

“I miss most just being on the water and pairing life down to the basics.”