When we came upon this quaint breakfast stop on Washington Island, we never imagined the powerful impressions that would fill our souls as well as our stomachs. We had just camped at Willow Pond Farm on the Door Peninsula where the owners, Craig and Cindy, suggested we stop at The Bread and Water Cafe and meet Valerie.

Their friendship has spanned years. When Cindy spoke of Valerie it had been with a reverence of awe. “She adopted six children after being their foster mother. Valerie had canoed from the Arctic Ocean to Cape Horn. She set a Guinness World Record racing the Mississippi River.” Well, Da Viking and I just had to meet this amazing woman! We hoped she was working as we entered the restaurant.

Greetings

As we entered a woman called out, “Good Morning! My name is Valerie and I will serve you.” Her voice was like a quiet song. The cafe was cozy with a feeling of coming home. A picture of Jesus’ Last Supper by DiVinci and a Madonna painting adored the walls. An angel statue watched over us from the kitchen window. Quilt runners were hung as decorations. (Valerie had made quilts, too)

This unassuming, older woman shuffled over to take our drink order. She was THE well-loved, infamous Valerie. I wondered if I’d heard Cindy correctly. When Valerie went to the back to retrieve our beverages, I whispered to Chuck, “Cindy said Valerie paddled in a canoe from the Arctic to the Cape Horn?” Chuck nodded. “You’d never guess that this sweet older lady had completed such a feat!” I was in awe of her and how our bodies change over time. “Shoot,” I commented shaking my head, “I get tired from riding in a motorboat for a day where I’m not even paddling.” I have actually paddled only a few times. It’s a lot of work! “Chuck, remember the time you had to tow me when we kayaked the Grand River?” He smiled at the memory. I grimaced at my lack of strength.

When Valerie returned with our drinks Chuck introduced us. “I’m Chuck and this is Poppins. It’s so nice to meet you.” “Ooooh!” Valerie’s voice was like a soft, spring rain, “Poppins, like Mary Poppins?” I nodded. Valerie’s eyes caught a light from the inside. “We were just here having a prayer meeting and broke out into song.” She glanced skyward, “Oh, what was it,” she thought aloud, “Yes!” She startled. “We sang, ‘Let’s Go Fly A Kite!’ We need to sing that together before you go!”

“Cindy and Craig suggested we meet you.” Chuck offered our connection. “Oh, Craig and Cindy!” Valerie beamed from under her mask. “I haven’t seen them in so long.” “Well,” I inserted, “They think highly of you!” Valerie’s eyes sparkled. “As I do of them!” She shared about the horses she’d gotten through Craig and Cindy. Valerie praised the couple, their ingenuity, generosity and their farm, Willow Pond.

Valerie Sat Down and Joined Us

After Valerie set our drinks on the table I asked, “Have you lived here all your life?” Valerie’s eyes revealed a smile under mask. “My grandfather lived on the island and my father was born here.”

“We heard that you’d adopted six children!” I nodded my amazed approval at the feat of raising six kids. “We integrated the island!” Valerie stated with pride. Chuck chimed in, “As an adopted kid, I thank you.” She pulled out a chair from a nearby table. “May I sit down?”

Valerie clarified, “Oh these poor darlings came to me with nothing. They had been ripped from their family, everything they had ever known. They were our foster children. Later when the courts declared their parents were unfit, we had to adopt them. We had made a family in the time we had them. I couldn’t just let them go.” Valerie bent her head downward. “They had nothing.” With a deep sigh she added, “You see, I have touch stones here on the island. I can go to my grandfather’s farm. They didn’t have anything.” Her children’s lack of connection to their heritage curdled her soul.

I interjected, “But, you gave them touch stones. You provided a secure environment for them. That’s something they wouldn’t have had.” Chuck shared about his experience as an adopted child and added, “You did so much for your kids and gave them a solid start in life!” I have to admit that our eyes had dampened.

Valerie and her husband Joe (who passed in 2020) have left a lasting legacy. Their children have been loved and are now moving forward making this world a better place by carrying their love onward.

Making Breakfast

Valerie worked with two young men in the kitchen. We could easily see them through the serving window and overhear their conversations. As they prepared my oatmeal, Valerie remembered aloud that her mother had oatmeal every morning. “That was Venita’s favorite thing to eat each morning.” Valerie’s voice chimed with admiration as she remembered her mom. (Venita had passed in 2013.)

The Canoe Museum

When Valerie came to clear our dishes, Chuck mentioned, “I heard that you’d set world records in kayaking.” “Oh, yes. Would you like to see the Canoe Museum?” Valerie led us to a door in the back of the restaurant. “I am still working on this museum, so it’s messy back here.” She opened the door.

There before us was Valerie’s one person canoe that she’d traveled 21,000 miles over 2 and half years. The journey had started in Arctic and ended at Cape Horn, South America. I was speechless, which doesn’t happen often. At the bottom was her two person canoe which she and Verlen Kruger coursed the Mississippi River in record time.

Verlen Kruger

Valerie met world famous, Verlen Kruger in 1982 when he and his paddling partner and son-in-law, Steve, stopped in Seattle along their 21,000 mile route from the Arctic to Cape Horn, deemed The Ultimate Canoe Challenge. On June 17th as the pair departed from Seattle, Valerie bestowed 40 encouraging statements wrapped in a red ribbon. She instructed them to open one each day for the next 40 days.

A few months later, tragedy struck. Steve’s baby daughter passed away unexpectedly from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Understandably, Steve needed to take time off from the journey and be at home with his family in Lansing, Michigan. After funeral services for his granddaughter, Verlen contacted Valerie and asked her to join him as a paddling partner for the Baja peninsula portion of the Ultimate Canoe Challenge. This section would be 2,411 miles.

The Baja Peninsula

With minimal amounts of gear packed in water proof bags, each stuffed into the bow or stern of their canoes, Valerie and Verlen left from a quiet dock in Long Beach, California. There were no cheering spectators, just the lapping waves to welcome them to the water.

It didn’t stay quiet for long! Along the Baja Peninsula of Mexico the currents and winds were strong!
They were able to travel 25-30 miles each day.

The pair took turns leading their trek with support and encouragement for one another. These paddling partners found a kinship during this journey.

Record Breaking Canoe Travels

In 1984 the pair set a Guinness World Record when racing the 2,348-mile Mississippi River in Kruger’s specially designed two person canoe.

Not long after in 1986, Valerie and Verlen paddled from the Arctic Ocean to Cape Horn. Their hope was to reach their destination of Cape Horn, the tip of South America by 1989. (Yes! That’s over two years!)

Verlen Kruger, a retired plumber, had started canoeing later in life. He set eleven Guinness World Records as he traveled over 100,000 miles over two continents. One resource stated that the paddling partners were married in 1987. I am unclear as to how long Verlen and Valerie were together. Verlen passed away in 2004 at 82 years young.

Valerie and Joe

In 1994 Valerie married Joseph Lee Ervin. Joe was a true environmentalist and cared for others. He studied ground water contamination and championed at-risk residents. Together they adopted their six foster children. Over their years together they also hosted eight foreign exchange students.

The last ten years of Joe’s life he suffered from dementia. He passed on the 31st of May 2020. “Joe’s Garden” stands in front of the “Bread and Water Cafe.” He enjoyed gardening and could easily identify insects and plants alike.

Cancer Journey

Crossing oceans and rivers wasn’t Valerie’s only challenge. As we stood in the Canoe Museum Valerie mentioned her cancer diagnosis and that she had spent nearly a full year under strict medical care. “I carried my paddle like a security blanket when I was staying in the hospital.” Valerie reminisced. “I had to be careful of the sprinklers in the ceiling when I was walking around (the hospital).” Valerie shared her most intimate struggle with Leukemia and her bone marrow transplant.

From Valerie’s Blog: “Induction chemotherapy treatment for my Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia began on Friday, November 13, 2009. Nine months later, I reach 100 days post transplant and am released from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance on Friday, August 13, 2010. Superstition has nothing to do with it.”

Valerie had become transfusion dependent. In 2018 Valerie’s blood was showing ‘leukemia blasts’ so she underwent a clinical trial, G-Clam Long Arm, at the University of Washington Hospital. Valerie and three men were the first human participants. They underwent full body radiation and donor stem cell transplants.

I can’t imagine how challenging her cancer journey has been. Yet, she had demonstrated beautiful faith and positivity throughout this chapter of her life. Valerie set goals and was determined to enter canoe races again. Years before she had created and spear-headed a competition around Washington Island. Three years after her cancer diagnosis, she entered the annual race with a partner. She was “Keeping It Moving!”

Inscribing Her Book To Us

Valerie had some copies of her book, “Keep It Moving: Baja By Canoe.” I bought one and she offered to sign it. I was honored.

Valerie inscribed, “May 25, 2021 Martha and Chuck – A ship in the harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for” Valerie Fons – II Timothy 1:7

Upon arriving at home I looked up this Bible verse. “For God did not give us spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Valerie’s spirit has touched my heart and left a lasting impression. I will always cherish our meeting and time together. I learned later that Valerie is an ordained minister. Her spirit has beamed and shined into this dark world.

Let’s Go Fly A Kite!

“Oh, before you go, we need to sing!” Valerie reminded me. “I don’t know if I can remember all the words. Chemo-brain can do that.” She stated matter of factly. I located the lyrics using my phone. “Oh wait!” Valerie shuffled to the doorway. “I just got this at the thrift store yesterday.” She opened an IKEA umbrella over us as a prop for the Mary Poppins’ song. I put my arm around her and we were off singing our tune. “Let’s go fly a kite! Up to the highest height! Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring! Up through the atmosphere. Up where the air is clear. Oh, let’s go fly a kite!”

It was magical to share this moment and song with Valerie. Her soul is so pure and her feelings for others run so deeply. As we finished the song she turned to me. “You are the first person I’ve touched in over a year.” I immediately stiffened. “Oh, I didn’t mean to get too close!. . . ” “It’s alright.” she smiled.

I believe I can learn something from every person I meet. Each person is unique. Well, Valerie Fons struck a chord in my soul and I will carry our connection with me!

Resources

mds.foundation.org/blog/patient_stories/valerie-fons/

https://apnews.com/article/e6437fa660d654dc1babb583f1a4977a

https://doorcountypulse.com/paddling-past-cancer/?__

Door County Pulse Article

Valerie Fons