About

This is Me…

LFMC ShareHolder | She/her | OKlahoma Cherokee + German | Tallship Captain | Paddler | forager | cattle dog lover

Born in Iowa and raised in Colorado, Cheyenne knew at an early age that a 9 to 5 desk job would never work for her. After graduating high school she decided to pursue her dream of living on a boat and becoming a ship’s captain. Cheyenne packed her one sea bag and got her first job on a 114’ tall ship sailing out of Traverse City, Michigan. This was the first of many ships she would sail on.

By the age of 22 Cheyenne held her 150-ton Masters License and was able to work her way up the ranks, eventually becoming a Captain of multiple tall ships. During her career Captain Cheyenne sailed from Venezuela to Newfound, Southern California, all five Great Lakes including three trips in and out of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Captain Cheyenne eventually upgraded her license to a 200-ton Near Coastal Master and has certifications in, towing, radar and firefighting. She has been named one of the best traditional riggers in the country. Captain Chey has worked in tourism and youth programs for nearly 20-years at sea and sailed countless miles in various bodies of water around the World.

During Captain Chey’s many adventures she met Amanda on the docks of Key West. Never guessing that 8-years later she would be living next to her in the interior of Alaska.

After meeting in Key West, Cheyenne hired Amanda as a deckhand, who was an experienced tall ship sailor, for a North bound boat delivery from the British Virgin Islands to Boston, Massachusetts. Working well together on the ship they kept in touch. Amanda soon left the sailing community to head to Alaska to pursue a career mushing.

Cheyenne followed Amanda’s career and wanted in on the action. After a visit to Alaska in the summer Cheyenne decided to return in the winter to get a taste of the Alaskan mushing culture. Figuring the best way to experience it was to be a dog handler on the Yukon Quest she handled for friend and neighbor, Chase Tingle of Tukaway Kennel. Her first mushing experience was with Amanda on a sled dog run at the Co-op. The dogs, people and the land stole Cheyenne’s heart. At the end of her stay she knew that this is where she belonged.

Cheyenne will be starting a paddle company this spring, Raven River Adventures!