Tell me stories about canoeing

Wow, thanks to everyone for the stories and pictures. This thread has turned out better than I'd imagined. All of the lake pictures look so serene and relaxing. Clyde's white water pictures look intense! How do you take a drop like that? It looks insane.

I've taken my first two steps towards my goal. I scheduled my girlfriend and I to take a kayaking class on the Kansas River on July 25. I also just returned from the library, where I picked up Path of the Paddle. I have nothing to do tonight so I'm gonna dig right in. :thumbup:
 
Snow said:
I also just returned from the library, where I picked up Path of the Paddle. I have nothing to do tonight so I'm gonna dig right in. :thumbup:
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If you want to see and hear Mr. Mason, check out the film he made for the National Film Board of Canada, "Waterwalker." The musical score is by Bruce Cockburn. I had a VHS copy of the film but I loaned it to someone and never got it back... otherwise I'd send it to you.

You can watch it for free (along with other canoe films and excellent films of all types) here: Waterwalker

Good paddling,
desmobob
 
i grew up canoeing as my dad was a duck hunter.i bought my own back in 98 or 99, primary for fishing in strip mine pits.its an oldtown that wieghs about 50 pounds and is easy to balance on my shoulders.it opened up alot of water that i couldnt fish from the bank and i consider it worth every penny i paid for it.one thing i have always loved about canoes is how quiet they are,it's astounding the amount of game i've stumbled upon over the years in one.BTW,always carry a life jacket.
 
Well the girlfriend and I hit up Shawnee Mission Park yesterday. The park includes a decent sized lake and marina. I had a friend who had gone kayaking there and recommended it. $6 for both of us to share a canoe, not too bad. We mostly paddledd across the open water, which was pretty boring. The best part was paddling close to the bank, which is where the wildlife is. I think if I bought a canoe, I would prefer to paddle in rivers and smaller lakes. Anyway, on to the pictures!

Sneaking up on a deer near the bank.
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You can tell we got pretty close without spooking her.
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Some ducks.
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The gf's paddling pose.
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My stylish life jacket.
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Obligatory couple pose.
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Yeah, boring pictures, but it's a start. I am hoping to go again in a few weeks at a more interesting location.:thumbup:
 
I think I got all of yall beat, I have a yak and a canoe. canoe is a sears aluminum 16 footer. got it for $150 used. both are a blast to use.
 
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nc527 said:
I think I got all of yall beat, I have a yak and a canoe. canoe is a sears aluminum 16 footer. got it for $150 used. both are a blast to use.
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That is great and all, but you need to post some PICS!! :D
 
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THERE ONCE WAS A ZILLA NAMED JOE
A LACK OF CANOE WAS HIS FOE
SEARCHING NEAR AND FAR
A BOAT TO THROW ON A CAR

THE PACK WAS THE ONE HE CHOSE

AT 12 FOOT SHORT
AND 33LBS TO REPORT
AN EL CAMINO OF SORTS
ABLE TO TWIST TO PORT

JOE FOUND HIS CANOE TO SPORT



33 lbs. 12 feet long, single person el camino of the wilderness.

I love my Pack canoe:

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Playing rescue myself

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rescue the kid.

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Well, I'm going to risk dating myself here, but this gal's favorite canoe of all time was a battered ol' Sportspal...reminds me of Joezilla's rig! 12 feet long, 34 (or so) pounds. Broad-beamed, extremely stable, and just a blast in the water!

I loved it because I could load and unload it myself from the car, and it was nearly impossible to tip it once in the water. In fact, swimming from it was fun because you could get back in without too much trouble. We were doing an autumn trip on the Rum River below Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota back in the early 80's and I got myself clotheslined out of the back of that old canoe on a low-hanging branch. Never upset the canoe or my paddling partner...just took me off the stern neat as you please. :D Alas, no pictures remain of that trip or that canoe.

Thanks for this thread...and the memories...wondered if they still make that great little canoe, and they do!
 
Haha, awesome pictures. Looks like you are doing your Les Stroud impersonation with the bandanna. I like the looks of your canoe. It looks like a good size and weight to be versatile.
 
Killer tread

Mentor, I don't know when but I'm going to make it up to Murtle Lake, in Wells Gray Park, BC some day. What a beautiful place.

I get out as much as possible. Take my daughters out weekly in the summer to small lakes around the Twin Cites to fish and be beach bums and do as much wilderness tripping as possible.

I'll put up some pics of my ride when my photobucket account finishes loading in a few.
 
I have an Old Town Pack Canoe of 70s vintage. Also around 12 ft and under 30 lbs. Unfortunately, it is not as wide as some of the others mentioned, so it is not especially stable. One thing that helps is that the seat is a thick pad mounted on the floor. A curved thwart offers back support. You sit in it sort of kayak style.

DancesWithKnives
 
Finally

Wenonah Spirit II Kevlar with jell coat 17.5 feet at 54 pounds.

Pic was taken after some sporty wet portaging out of Fourtown lake BWCA
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Here is a pic of a camp site that I had made a mark to. I was expecting a rock shelf with a site on it and almost thought I was misplaced on a different lake. Took more time then I care to admit figuring the situation out. High water that year flooded the site and we went right on by. Like I said it took me a bit, but eventually figured it out.
Lesson learned: Trust the map and compass, the land scape can change.
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And one more from a few weeks ago.
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Again, great thread and stories.:thumbup:
 
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