The Happy Camper: Politics Be Damned, My Portage-Free Canoe Routes Talk Is Now Online
The days of driving and flying to present at outdoor shows, libraries and nature club events are winding down now. Soon I’ll be spending more time paddling a canoe or hiking a trail. I can’t wait! Don’t get me wrong, I love my time spreading the joy of getting outdoors while on stage, but there comes a time when you have to practice what you preach.
Lots of trips sketched out on the calendar so far for this upcoming ice-free season. My annual Algonquin spring trout trip is booked. Sorry mom but it’s on Mother’s Day weekend, once again. Love ya, but the specks will be biting, and the black flies won’t be hatched yet. It’s the perfect time to wet a line in one of my most beloved provincial parks.
I’m also being the host in another voyageur canoe trip along Lake Superior for Naturally Superior. The boat got fully booked in a day-and-a-half; how cool is that! And third time is a charm for Quebec. This time I’ll be doing a canoe trip in Quebec’s to La Verendrye Park.
I’m also returning to one of the biggest canoe tripping gems of Ontario, Quetico Provincial Park, to help celebrate the Quetico Foundation who has been protecting this vast wilderness area since 1954.
And beyond that, the world is my oyster. My partner Kristine and I (and my dog Angel…RIP poor Oliver) have hopes of going down east and out west to hike and paddle along ocean shorelines and amongst mountain peaks.
But the main reason for this blog is not to reminisce my times presenting to amazing outdoorsy people lately, or to gloat on how many nights I’ll be soon sleeping in a tent—it’s to let everyone know I’ve posted one of my favourite talks that I gave during my time on stage the last few months online for free. “Portage Free Canoe Routes Presentation” is now up on my KCHappyCamper YouTube channel for anyone who wishes to sit on their cozy couch with a beverage and wear comfortable PJs to watch with pleasure and dream of their next wilderness excursion.
I placed it up there for anyone to enjoy for two simple reasons. First, there were a lot of people that couldn’t make it to my live shows for various reasons (i.e. work, weather, winter blues…) but wanted to know what routes across Ontario and Quebec I chose as great “portage free” paddling adventures. Now, here’s your chance to sketch it all out in the comfort of your own home.
The second reason was more important to me. I placed it online so all my friends across the border can view it. I missed seeing the U.S. paddlers this year at the Quiet Adventures Symposium and the world-renowned Canoecopia.
I’ve already said my piece on why I chose not to go to the U.S. this year to present through a couple of past blogs. Read here and here.
Now it’s time to move forward. So, without further ado, I give you my presentation on “Portage Free Canoe Routes” for EVERYONE to watch—free of charge and free of political strife.
I hope to see you out there this season. Enjoy!
