Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading about Kelsey Pfendler’s record-breaking journey from California to Hawaii. This lady is a Grand Canyon river rafting guide who decided to become the first American woman to row across the mid-Pacific solo. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up. She launched from Monterey, California, in May and pulled into a Honolulu harbor Friday night on her 21-foot row boat, Lily, after nearly a month and a half at sea. Hundreds gathered to cheer her on, and I’m sure it was a moment to remember.
I was reading about her journey on CNN, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. Pfendler set out to become the first American woman, youngest woman, and fastest woman to make the more than 2,400-mile journey solo. And it looks like she’s broken both the previous women’s speed record and the men’s speed record, according to the Ocean Rowing Society International. I guess you could say she’s a bit of a rockstar.
Pfendler’s website says she’s been a professional raft guide since she was 18 and has spent the last eight years leading trips along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. No wonder she’s so comfortable on the water. She even shared her journey on social media, where hundreds of thousands of people followed along with her highs, lows, and quirks. I’m sure it was entertaining to watch her bobbing alone on the vast ocean.
In her video diaries, Pfendler explained the logistics of her passage and survival on the ocean. She talked about the challenges she faced, including blistered hands, the struggle to sleep amid stiff winds, and the mental and physical struggle of coping with sometimes-unfavorable currents and wind. She even shared how she cooked, protected her skin from the sun, washed her clothes, and made fresh water. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
But what really got me was when Pfendler’s voice cracked with emotion in some of her videos. And then there were the times she poked fun at her own forehead hat tan line and joked about the importance of her caffeine pills. I guess even in the middle of the ocean, you need a little caffeine to keep you going.
Pfendler’s love for boats is evident, and she even said, “I just love boats in the middle of nowhere.” I’m not sure I’d want to be in the middle of nowhere, but hey, to each their own. Local news outlets reported that Pfendler was eventually expected to address the media, but I’m sure she’s still basking in the glory of her achievement.
As she neared Oahu, Pfendler reflected on the meaning of her accomplishment and what she hoped others would take from it. She said, “If any part of this made at least one person feel a little bit more powerful in their own skin, I couldn’t ask for anything else and I’m happy.” And then she added, “Think about trying to find your own big, hard, scary thing. You might not think that you are strong enough to finish it right now, but you’re definitely strong enough to start it, and you’ll find everything else along the way.” I guess that’s a message we can all learn from.
In the end, Pfendler’s journey is an inspiration to us all. She’s proof that with determination and hard work, we can achieve anything we set our minds to. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll all be rowing across the mid-Pacific solo. Okay, maybe not, but it’s nice to dream. Anyway, I’m happy for Pfendler, and I’m sure she’s enjoying her well-deserved rest after that long journey. And I’m also happy to have finished my coffee while reading about her amazing achievement 😊.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
