Couple Completes 3-Year, 11,700-Mile Journey Through North America

Amy and Dave Freeman definitely know how to take a honeymoon. Three years ago, shortly after they were married, the couple set out on an epic journey that would eventually cover more than 11,700 miles (18829 km) through some of the most remote and rugged backcountry in all of North America. Traveling by kayak, canoe, dogsled and on foot, they spent their time exploring some iconic waterways in an initiative to try to engage more young people with the outdoors. On April 4, that journey came to an end when they arrived in Key West, Florida by kayak.

The Freeman's started their expedition on Earth Day, April 22, 2010. Setting out from Bellingham, Washington in the U.S., they first paddled north along the Pacific Coast of Canada. From there they moved into the interior of the Yukon Territory before setting out on challenging odyssey by dogsled that saw them travel for 40-days through remote wilderness without ever encountering a road or town. Returning to their canoe, they then continued south to the Great Lakes before transitioning to kayaks for the final leg of journey, which took them down the East Coast of the U.S. and to the Keys.

While this three-year long adventure was pretty incredible in its own right, it is what Amy and Dave did along the way that is perhaps the most inspiring. The couple launched a website called The Wilderness Classroom through which they shared their expedition with more than 80,000 elementary and middle school students from around the world. Their website provides lesson plans and activities that are designed to help connect young people with the outdoors and inspire them to learn more about the world around us. While traveling over the past three years, they've also interacted and met directly with more than 25,000 students.

Congratulations to Amy and Dave for completing this amazing journey and for sharing it with so many young students along the way. Both accomplishments are inspiring to say the least.