Sean Bloomfield and Colton Witte professed to go big or go home as they prepared to tackle a daunting 2,250-mile journey via canoe from Chaska to Hudson Bay.

Go big they did.

On June 15, after just 49 days on the river, Bloomfield and Witte arrived at York Factory on the shores of Hudson Bay.

“They’ve reached York Factory!” read the entry on their Web site which has been updated regularly by their parents.

Following the route journalist Eric Sevareid and friend Walt Port took in 1930, the recent CHS graduates completed their journey in half the time it took Sevareid and Port.

Setting off from Winkel Park in Chaska on April 28, Bloomfield and Witte traveled up the Minnesota River to the Red River and then onto Lake Winnipeg before finally hitting the Hayes River, which took them all the way to Hudson Bay.

It was a trying time for the boys' parents,who had little contact with them once they left Winnepeg.

"They called a few times when they came across a phone," said Pat Bloomfield via email. "But most of the time we only were able to track them through the satellite signals they sent.  As long as they kept moving we figured they were OK!"

"I was confident in the boys' skills in the wilderness as far as survival, map reading and preparation," said Kathy Witte in an email. "But what caused anxiety was the unknown. You can't prepare for 6 foot waves in a canoe, cold weather, rain, snow, illness, rapids, bears or questionable people."

But although there were challenges, there were also overwhelming displays of hospitality.

"The support of they people they have met along the way has been amazing," said Kathy. "They were greeted by strangers with meals and warm places to stay."

“The Postmaster from Velva, N.D., the birthplace of Eric Sevareid, called and he has a ‘Special Stamp Cancellation’ that he is going to mail to Colton & Sean,” their May 30th update read. “The recently issued commemorative postage stamp and the special cancellation honor Eric Sevareid as a ‘Great American Journalist.’ The postmaster thought the boys would like a picture of the main street and the special cancelled stamp. He’s going to mail it to the boys around the time they arrive home.”

Signs of civilization, the prospects of food and warm weather dropped off the further they ventured into Canada. By the time they reached Norway House at the northeastern edge of Lake Winnipeg, they were motivated to push ahead by thoughts of the comforts of home.

“They’re both anxious for hot meals and a bed to sleep in,” their June 5 update read.

Home was definitely on their minds that week as their fellow classmates prepared to go through commencement exercises. Bloomfield and Witte graduated early in order to be able to embark on their trip in late April.

They offered words of advice to their classmates back home, however. “Don’t listen to people who say you can’t do something. If you follow your dreams you can do anything!”

"We are very proud that they stuck with the challenge and completed their goal," said Pat. "It will give them lifelong memories and the knowledge that they can overcome obstacles through perserverence." 

Monday, after a lonely evening in a desolate York Factory, Bloomfield and Witte were picked up by float plane to begin their journey back home. They were expected to arrive back in Chaska Wednesday night. A welcome home celebration is scheduled for next Thursday at the REI in Bloomington.

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer

What: To celebrate Sean Bloomfield and Colton Witte’s canoe journey to the Hudson Bay.

When: 7 p.m., Thursday, June 26

Where: REI, at 494 and 35W in Bloomington