[Paddlewise] Ideas for a Long Trip

Hello Everyone,

I've recently joined the mailing list and am really enjoying all
the info that's being passed along!

Oftentimes I try to wait to ask questions but my curiosity and
enthusiasm are getting the best of me this time.

So here's the scoop.  My fiancé and I are planning to take a bunch
of time off work next year.  We're going to start by doing an 18
month bike trip (tandem, self-supported, mainly camping) through
the US, New Zealand and SE Asia.  I'm quite excited about it!  :-)

Recently I had the idea that after the bike trip it would be fun
to do a long (4-6 month?) sea kayak trip.  Alaska to Seattle is a
destination that really appeals to me.

However...  I've only sea-kayaked a few times.  :-(  One trip was
guided, 3-days, along Abel Tasman in New Zealand.  I loved it!!
My fiancé is the same.

We also live in Colorado, so it's not obvious to me how I could
easily get some experience locally.

I'm reading "Spirited Waters", subscribed to Sea Kayaker, will be
reading more books, as well as this newsgroup.

Anyway... to the point (question).  I've realized our lack of 
experience is currently a show-stopper for my original idea.

But what do you all think?  What would it take to gain the
experience for such a trip?  How much time on the water would it
take to make this a safe(r) trip?  Or instruction time?  Would it
be possible to utilize the ferries to skip difficult sections,
and if so, how much experience would be needed for the "easier"
sections?

Are there other destinations that would be easier where we could
still do an extended trip?  Just as spectacular?

Sorry that my questions are rather wide open and broad (and the
post is so long!  :-).  But even though my original enthusiasm has
been dampened by reality, I'm still hopeful that I'll be able to do
such a trip one day and really would like to understand the best way
to make this happen.

Thanks!
-John Fox
Boulder, CO
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************