Launch Day is coming up quickly!

Launch Day is coming up quickly!  Once I am underway, you can follow my real-time position here:  https://share.garmin.com/TimTorma

Big new aspect of the journey this year:  I have started a fundraising campaign on Facebook to try to reach a goal of $2,000 in donations to the 5 Gyres Institute.  Whatever you may feel about Facebook, they make this very easy to do.  If you are inclined and able, please consider contributing.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and fundraising campaign:  https://www.facebook.com/JourneyoftheFishhugger/

In other news, I’ve been busy planning and packing.  Going over and over maps and charts.  Making sure the Fishhugger is ready to go.  Thinking through food, water, fishing supplies.  Cold-calling folks along my route to ask for advice or beg for permission to camp.  The prep is all part of the fun and adventure.

I have been amazed at how receptive and helpful people have been.  From people I know offering me a place to stay or help along the way to complete strangers who have made all kinds of generous offers of help.  It has been refreshing and a good change from the stuff we hear about on the news every day.  Real people helping other real people.  This is an aspect of the whole adventure I did not think about or expect initially, but has become one of the coolest things about the trip.  If all goes as planned, you will meet some of these kind folks in future posts!

If anyone has advice about what fishing gear I should take, speak up soon!