Canoeing Coast to Coast

Here is an adventure that apparently will be a first, at least in modern history.  Four men will be canoeing from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic by way of the northern provinces of Canada.  

Pete Marshall, Winchell Delano, Steve Keaveny, and Matt Harren are preparing for the 2600 mile paddle across a vast wilderness, one of the largest in the world.  According the their website: 2012 Trans-Territorial Canoe Expedition they will be braving mountains and valley, dangerous lake crossings, and white water.  All very exciting. 

Can you imagine a trans-continental camping trip ending in the historic Hudson Bay? If I could this would be it.

The Nine Day Canoe Adventure

Sam and Caleb and their 75lb canoe

Two brothers, Sam and Caleb Levar, spent eight days canoeing the La Verendrye fur-trading route which is 270 miles.  The La Verendrye trading route was established by Pierre de la Verendrye and his three sons in 1731.  La Verendrye was looking for a route to the Pacific Ocean, as a way of reaching the East for the purposes of trade.  La Verendrye also established trading posts along the way to trade with the local peoples in an attempt to take business from the Hudson Bay Company.  

 Sam and Caleb enjoyed their trip and you can read their interview on the Canoe and Kayak website.  One other note it appears that two brothers can get along for eight days alone in the wilderness.  

Paddle to the Sea

Back in the 1970's this video was a classroom favorite, at least among Washington State Schools.  The story is about a Canoe called Paddle to the sea, hence the name of the move, carved by a young boy  and set into the Great LakesWatershed which traveled to the Great Lakes and then to the Sea.  Truly the video reminds me of the dreams of a young boy wanting to get out and go places and see things.  In some ways I would love to make the same trip as Paddle did and dream of those same simple days.

The video comes in three parts each about 10 minutes.  So watch and dream of great adventures.

Part I

Part II

Part III