“Dying Out Here is Not an Option: 1500 – 1500 Mile, 75 Day, Solo Canoe and Kayak Odyssey” will be the forth talk in a series of free Calusa Blueway-related programs set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers.

On June 25, 2016, John Connelly became the first to canoe the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and kayak the Maine Island Trail. He went a step further, connecting them with the Saint John River and Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada; 1,500 miles in 75 days. Find out how he met the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and survived violent storms. Be inspired to seek out these water trails and experience portions of them for yourself.

“I’ve been waiting for this program for three years,” said Calusa Blueway Coordinator Mike Hammond with Lee County Parks & Recreation. “Immediately after reading John’s book, I asked him to give a presentation at our speaker series. It is a true adventure that paddlers and non-paddlers will be able to appreciate. I can’t wait for everyone to hear his story.”

Books will be available to be autographed by the author.

Remaining Calusa Blueway Speaker Series schedule:

• March 12 – John Connelly- “Dying out Here Is Not an Option: 1500 – 1500 Mile, 75 Day, Solo Canoe and Kayak Odyssey”

• March 26 – Bill and Mary Burnham- “Burnham Guides Paddling Adventures in Florida, Costa Rica, and ESVA”

Note: All programs begin at 6:30 p.m. at North Fort Myers Recreation Center.

For more information and directions to the program, contact North Fort Myers Recreation Center at 239-533-7200. Trail information is at calusablueway.com or leeparks.org/blueway. Find Calusa Blueway on Facebook. Visit the iTunes store or Google Play to download the free smart-phone app. Visitors can find information at fortmyers-sanibel.com.

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Source: Lee County Government