Some of you may be interested in a trip I'm going to attempt next year. If you're interested, check out my new site. You can also follow the trip and my twittering at Twitter(http://twitter.com/bryanhansel). This also means that I won't be building a new kayak next spring and summer. I really wish I had the time to build a Siskiwit LV.

Here's the jist of the trip:

In 2009, photographer, writer, and kayaking guide Bryan Hansel will attempt a solo circumnavigation of all five Great Lakes. From Fort Gratiot Light on Lake Huron, Hansel will paddle northbound attempting the three largest lakes first. Upon completing circumnavigations of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, he will complete the remaining two, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

During this 5-month, 3800 mile expedition, Hansel will attempt to become the first person to solo circumnavigate by kayak all the Great Lakes in one year. In doing so, he’ll fulfill a long held dream and provide testimony that great expeditions are possible near home. The expedition’s objectives are:

* Complete a circumnavigation of all five Great Lakes in one continuous push, with a maximum of 20 mile crossings, and paddling 3800 miles.

* Produce a book showing the Great Lakes from the viewpoint of a kayak.

* Write and spur magazine and newspaper articles.

* Maintain a website devoted to paddling opportunities on the Great Lakes. During the trip, provide weekly web updates and daily Twitter tweets of trip status.

* Produce a slide show promoting kayaking, resource and

* wilderness protection on the Great Lakes.

* Build an extensive photographic portfolio of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes contain roughly one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water, they’re surrounded by eight U.S. States and one Canadian province, and have over 10,000 miles of shoreline. Formed just under 10,000 years ago as the last glaciers retreated, this young drainage basin is home to over 33 million people. This unique resource is under constant pressure from pollution, invasive species, and urban sprawl.

With your help, we can promote paddling adventure on the Great Lakes, increase paddlesports participation in the Midwest, and highlight the pressures faced by one of America’s great wonders; the increased paddlesport participation will advance resource and wilderness protection.