“It’s like the Iditarod on a boat with the chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or being eaten by a grizzly bear.” Meet the first all-women crew to take on Race to Alaska. R2AK 2024 sets out today, June 9.
Holly, you made an inspired choice joining Sistership’s story with your own as you navigate your illness through so many unknowns. Meeting unknowns has been a strength of yours. May it serve you well in both senses of the word.
This was a gripping read, Holly. I was casually skimming my inbox while standing in my kitchen but this one I could not put down. I hung on every word. I love how you wove two heroic stories together - theirs and yours. This captures uncertainty and adversity — and sisterhood — with such visceral realism, I felt like I was there. Love the name Sail Like a Girl - reminds me of Lizzo’s song “Like a Girl,” which has gotten me through many a half marathon. Thanks for your brilliant writing.
I love thinking of you running to Lizzo! Thanks, Julie, so much for reading and commenting. I agree. Saul Like a Girl is such a great name and so awesome that they took first place in 2018.
Original, moving, and inspiring. Like others in the comments, I love the interweaving of two stories here. I hope the R2AK heroics help with the next phase of physical trial when courage is most needed.
Thank you, Tara. I so appreciate you commenting on how the heroics of those women will play into my own challenges. I think it’s one of the beauties of storytelling, of writing, and of doing things we’ve been told are impossible. It all weaves together—the way we inspire each other, show up for each other, show each other what possible.
In the same vein, I’m looking forward to your piece on Alice Munro—as well as the others you inspired. 😊💕
Thank you, Nancy. I very much appreciate this comment (especially as it wasn’t effortless 😜). I felt like I was wrangling this piece together— or more like whittling it down. It was still double the word count it ended up with the day before I published it. But I have long been an editor. So I told myself to sit and cut it in half. No being precious about it! And it’s of course much better for all the cuts.
Spellbinding essay. Your paragraph on trying to game all the options was deeply relatable - this space of uncertainty is beyond difficult to navigate and also, reliably present throughout life. The therapist’s advice, intertwined with the account of the crew’s choices, dealing with the consequences as they come, was moving and so well done. Best of luck to you and the crew.
Wonderful documentation of the R2AK all women crew racing details, dangers and delights. Does anyone film it for later watching? And, did you get Ruby? Is she a 150, 250 or 350? That van has good interior space and I hope it materializes into what you need and want for what's next. Thanks, Holly, for sharing. And best wishes and good hope on the medical front too.
Thanks, Gary! Ruby van Jangles is an E150. I did get her. I bought her in the summer of 2018 on my way down the Oregon coast. She was completely stripped out, and I, with some help, built the home inside. I have more or less lived in her since, though I spent last winter at a housesit and I’m currently in my sister’s guestroom while figuring this health stuff out.
Thank you, thank you, for the well wishes and for reading. I really appreciate you.
Where are you rolling these days? You’re still on the road right?
Sad to say we sold our 8th and last motorhome when we moved to Mexico last year. Wer still travel but without benefit of a rolling home and one thing we miss, among being much more independent, is not having to pack and unpack, plus the great variety of scenery and stops along the way. Hey, there's a good title "Along the Way" or how about "By the Way..." ? Best wishes to you Holly, in all things and especially for good health and more happy times.
Could write a story about acquiring each one, its asets and liabilities, and 20+ years of stories of trips all over as far south as Oaxaca and as far north as Labrador plus all those places in between. So many stories, so little time.
What a beautiful woven essay! The Sistership story reminds me of the amazing women soccer players (beginning in the 1800s!) that I learned about while researching Title IX and women's sports history for my graphic memoir, The Keeper. (I came across you on the WAW Cohort)
And what a great topic for a graphic memoir! I’ve done a bit of research into Title IX myself—for the original podcast on Sistership as a matter of fact. It’s small but mighty.
Well done! I'm a former Port Townsend citizen, where everybody in town is a sailor and roots for the racers to AK. Love these braided stories of persistence and power. If my magic wand wasn't still in the shop, I'd wave it all over your spine; because clearly you have a strong and nimble backbone. Sail on in Beauty.
Oh right on! This is great to hear that Port Townsend is into these racers. It's such a cool feat and a great concept for a race. I love all the camaraderie and trust that seems to be a part of it.
I do belief that if anyone had a magic wand it'd be you. May the shop treat it well. ;)
Thank you, thank you for reading and commenting. May youn, too, sail forth in beauty and joy!!
This is a very moving account of all these stories interwoven together. I'd like to think I could see anything presented to me in my life as a journey- even the scariest roughest parts. I appreciate that you can write about what you are going through.
When Greg and I were traveling on the ferry from Vancouver Island on our way to Alaska we passed one of the participants in this race - two women in a kayak. You know when you are in a kayak, you are not doing it to win, you are doing it to finish - a personal challenge.
Yeah, it's interesting--the seeing hardships as a journey thing. I'm aware these days of how real the mind "game" is, how much of a factor perception is. And I'm also keenly aware that, while I have been facing some challenges for sure, there are sooo many far more difficult things. And who knows how I'd face them? I'm also aware what a huge role hope is playing--in that I have a logical reason to expect that, with the right treatment and care, I won't be terribly limited. I've contemplated how differently I might be facing things if that weren't the case. Aw, life. We never know what's around the next bend eh?
Oh, how cool that you met up with some of these racers. A kayak is a wild and impressive choice. Wowsa!!
I haven’t had a chance to drop in to one of your posts in awhile Holly and am so glad I saw this one.
Tying together this precedent setting racing team, their challenges and accomplishments with the struggle of chronic illness is some brilliant writing.
The decision to choose a course of treatment and move forward brought to mind the words of Dr Ellen Langer from Harvard. I’m reading her book The Mindful Body where she writes there is no right decision, there is only what we do after we make that choice.
Donna, you're welcome any time. :) Thank you much for stopping by and commenting. I like this idea from Dr. Langer. What we do after can for sure be the hardest part--and the most defining. Thank you for sharing. I'll put her book on my to-read list.
Holly, you made an inspired choice joining Sistership’s story with your own as you navigate your illness through so many unknowns. Meeting unknowns has been a strength of yours. May it serve you well in both senses of the word.
Thank you, Rona. It is true that facing unknowns has often been my forte. as ever, I much appreciate you reading and commenting. ♥️
This was a gripping read, Holly. I was casually skimming my inbox while standing in my kitchen but this one I could not put down. I hung on every word. I love how you wove two heroic stories together - theirs and yours. This captures uncertainty and adversity — and sisterhood — with such visceral realism, I felt like I was there. Love the name Sail Like a Girl - reminds me of Lizzo’s song “Like a Girl,” which has gotten me through many a half marathon. Thanks for your brilliant writing.
I love thinking of you running to Lizzo! Thanks, Julie, so much for reading and commenting. I agree. Saul Like a Girl is such a great name and so awesome that they took first place in 2018.
An amazing dual story line, Holly, with courage as the key from all the players.
Awwwww, thank you, Jeanine. Such a wonderful comment. 😊
The paradoxes and similarities here: remarkable writing, Holly. "Treading water"-- indeed!
Mary, thank you. I hope you know how much I admire your work and eye and so value this comment. 🥰
Original, moving, and inspiring. Like others in the comments, I love the interweaving of two stories here. I hope the R2AK heroics help with the next phase of physical trial when courage is most needed.
Thank you, Tara. I so appreciate you commenting on how the heroics of those women will play into my own challenges. I think it’s one of the beauties of storytelling, of writing, and of doing things we’ve been told are impossible. It all weaves together—the way we inspire each other, show up for each other, show each other what possible.
In the same vein, I’m looking forward to your piece on Alice Munro—as well as the others you inspired. 😊💕
Munro week has begun at Quiet Reading Corner. :-)
Holly, this essay was stunning on so many levels.
Stunning! Swoon. Thank you, Maddie. That means a lot. 😊♥️
Very nicely written story. You held my attention to the end. I liked the way you linked the two stories together so effortlessly. I wish you well.
Thank you, Nancy. I very much appreciate this comment (especially as it wasn’t effortless 😜). I felt like I was wrangling this piece together— or more like whittling it down. It was still double the word count it ended up with the day before I published it. But I have long been an editor. So I told myself to sit and cut it in half. No being precious about it! And it’s of course much better for all the cuts.
Spellbinding essay. Your paragraph on trying to game all the options was deeply relatable - this space of uncertainty is beyond difficult to navigate and also, reliably present throughout life. The therapist’s advice, intertwined with the account of the crew’s choices, dealing with the consequences as they come, was moving and so well done. Best of luck to you and the crew.
Thank you, thank you, Stephanie. “spellbinding” is one of those compliments that will stick with me.
And you’re so right. Uncertainty is so ridiculously reliable. 😜
Wonderful documentation of the R2AK all women crew racing details, dangers and delights. Does anyone film it for later watching? And, did you get Ruby? Is she a 150, 250 or 350? That van has good interior space and I hope it materializes into what you need and want for what's next. Thanks, Holly, for sharing. And best wishes and good hope on the medical front too.
Thanks, Gary! Ruby van Jangles is an E150. I did get her. I bought her in the summer of 2018 on my way down the Oregon coast. She was completely stripped out, and I, with some help, built the home inside. I have more or less lived in her since, though I spent last winter at a housesit and I’m currently in my sister’s guestroom while figuring this health stuff out.
Thank you, thank you, for the well wishes and for reading. I really appreciate you.
Where are you rolling these days? You’re still on the road right?
Sad to say we sold our 8th and last motorhome when we moved to Mexico last year. Wer still travel but without benefit of a rolling home and one thing we miss, among being much more independent, is not having to pack and unpack, plus the great variety of scenery and stops along the way. Hey, there's a good title "Along the Way" or how about "By the Way..." ? Best wishes to you Holly, in all things and especially for good health and more happy times.
Oh yes, I remember now that you’d relocated to Mexico. Hope that’s treating you well.
And 8 rolling homes! So much scenery out those windows! So many stories. ♥️
Could write a story about acquiring each one, its asets and liabilities, and 20+ years of stories of trips all over as far south as Oaxaca and as far north as Labrador plus all those places in between. So many stories, so little time.
What a beautiful woven essay! The Sistership story reminds me of the amazing women soccer players (beginning in the 1800s!) that I learned about while researching Title IX and women's sports history for my graphic memoir, The Keeper. (I came across you on the WAW Cohort)
Thank you ever so much for sharing, Kelcey.
And what a great topic for a graphic memoir! I’ve done a bit of research into Title IX myself—for the original podcast on Sistership as a matter of fact. It’s small but mighty.
I love this combination of stories. Wishing you strength as you travel on your journey.
Thank you, thank you, Sue. You reading and commenting means a lot to me. :)
SAILING FORTH
Well done! I'm a former Port Townsend citizen, where everybody in town is a sailor and roots for the racers to AK. Love these braided stories of persistence and power. If my magic wand wasn't still in the shop, I'd wave it all over your spine; because clearly you have a strong and nimble backbone. Sail on in Beauty.
Oh right on! This is great to hear that Port Townsend is into these racers. It's such a cool feat and a great concept for a race. I love all the camaraderie and trust that seems to be a part of it.
I do belief that if anyone had a magic wand it'd be you. May the shop treat it well. ;)
Thank you, thank you for reading and commenting. May youn, too, sail forth in beauty and joy!!
This is a very moving account of all these stories interwoven together. I'd like to think I could see anything presented to me in my life as a journey- even the scariest roughest parts. I appreciate that you can write about what you are going through.
When Greg and I were traveling on the ferry from Vancouver Island on our way to Alaska we passed one of the participants in this race - two women in a kayak. You know when you are in a kayak, you are not doing it to win, you are doing it to finish - a personal challenge.
Yeah, it's interesting--the seeing hardships as a journey thing. I'm aware these days of how real the mind "game" is, how much of a factor perception is. And I'm also keenly aware that, while I have been facing some challenges for sure, there are sooo many far more difficult things. And who knows how I'd face them? I'm also aware what a huge role hope is playing--in that I have a logical reason to expect that, with the right treatment and care, I won't be terribly limited. I've contemplated how differently I might be facing things if that weren't the case. Aw, life. We never know what's around the next bend eh?
Oh, how cool that you met up with some of these racers. A kayak is a wild and impressive choice. Wowsa!!
I haven’t had a chance to drop in to one of your posts in awhile Holly and am so glad I saw this one.
Tying together this precedent setting racing team, their challenges and accomplishments with the struggle of chronic illness is some brilliant writing.
The decision to choose a course of treatment and move forward brought to mind the words of Dr Ellen Langer from Harvard. I’m reading her book The Mindful Body where she writes there is no right decision, there is only what we do after we make that choice.
Donna, you're welcome any time. :) Thank you much for stopping by and commenting. I like this idea from Dr. Langer. What we do after can for sure be the hardest part--and the most defining. Thank you for sharing. I'll put her book on my to-read list.
Oops, I posted this before I was done and wanted to wish you the very best, the most healing, as you embark on this healing journey of your own.
Thanks for this great essay.
Thank you. 🥰
Profiles in amazing courage and indomitable spirit - rowers, and writer!
Awww, Troy. What a wonderful comment. Thank you, my friend. 😊
A beautiful piece, Holly. Both in the writing and in the way you shared these two stories. :)
Thank you, thank you, Michael. 😊