Algonquin Web

Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids book is a timely read

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:28:40 -0500

I just picked up a great new book the other day - Outdoor Parents, OutdoorKids:A Guide to Getting Your Kids ...

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:40:22 -0500

What would you do for a backwoods brew?

Temptation and guilt in the backcountry of Northwestern Ontario

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Up The Creek Without A Paddle

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:18:40 -0500

Happiness is paddling a canoe on the river of life. – Unknown May good friends and a good paddle always be at your side - Unknown Following on yesterday’s post on the phrase “paddle your own canoe“, I thought I’d post on another such phrase ”up the creek without a paddle” (especially since I have been ... [more]

CARSON LAKE - Finding Sleeping Bear Rock

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:34:00 -0500

I headed out for a short canoe trip with just Alexander, down the lake along the shore and the old Ottawa, Arnprior, and Parry Sound railway line, just for a bit of fun. An interesting little trip it was, as we encountered a boat with four divers in scuba gear beginning a one hour search of the lake just below a large boulder railway embankment, at the bottom of which (as legend has it) lie the entombed remains of a short freight train! Having paddled the area numerous times, I have never seen rotting railcars peering from the murky depths, but one of the divers was insistent that he saw such a thing while paddling in the area a number of years back.
Further along, Alexander and I made our turn around at 'Sleeping Bear Rock', a near 100 tonne boulder that closely resembles a napping black bear cub! ... [more]

Quick Trip Report: Surfing and Teaching on Lake Superior

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:35:09 -0500

Here are a couple photos from a trip last week up to Lake Superior last week. I had the pleasure of being invited to teach a Paddle Canada Level 2 sea kayaking course at Naturally Superior Adventures with my co-instructor; the very funny and hugely talented Rev. Bonnie Perry. Long-time readers will remember a piece I wrote a year ago when she was nominated to be the Bishop of Minnesota. ... [more]

Drunk Camping Fail

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:06:19 -0500

This video is for those of you who want to feel more superior about your ability to put up a camping tent. It’s also for those of you who already feel more superior about your ability to hold your booze...

Cool Leave No Trace Promotional Video

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:41:14 -0500

I just love this short promotional video for the non-profit organization, Leave No Trace.
... [more]

Coast Guard launches "Paddles Up Great Lakes"

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:22:10 -0500

CLEVELAND – The Ninth District Coast Guard District is launching “Paddles Up Great Lakes", an educational outreach campaign aimed at raising safe boating awareness among the region’s paddlesports community.

The campaign begins Labor Day weekend and runs through Sept. 10.

“Paddlesports is the fastest growing segment of recreational boating,” said Frank Jennings, Jr., the Ninth District’s recreational boating safety program manager. “Current economic conditions coupled with the modest entry-level cost of paddlecraft have contributed to a surge in the popularity of this sport.” ... [more]

Sea Kayak Photo of the Moment: September 1

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:50:01 -0500

Sea kayaking at Iles de la Madeleine, QC - Flickr Photo Credit: Benoit Dery
Did you know I run a flickr photo group specifically for sea kayaking in Canada? Submit or view Canadian sea kayak photos here.
Read more... ... [more]

September is National Wilderness Month: Get out there says the prez

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:07:00 -0500

The Obama family hikes on Acadia National Park's Cadillac Mountain in Maine on July 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

If the president ever invites you somewhere, you should seriously consider accepting his (or her, as the case may be) offer.

In this case, President Barack Obama has declared September National Wlderness Month by Presidential Proclamation, and in a lofty and stirring proclamation he's inviting "all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures." ... [more]

Paddle Your Own Canoe

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:29:50 -0500

Paddle solo, sleep tandem. - Caroline Owen Love many, trust a few, and always paddle your own canoe. – Anonymous The phrase “paddle your own canoe” is an interesting one….with many versions….here is an online definition and the origins of the phrase, http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/paddle-your-own-canoe.html: Paddle Your Own Canoe Meaning Act independently and decide your own fate. Origin The ... [more]

Wise And Wonderful Words For Wednesday: Thoughts From Sigurd Olson

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:08:51 -0500

September 1st….the start of another month….a wonderful Wednesday….the 300th post on this blog….time to think about the summer soon past….and thoughts of the magic and wonders of the outdoors. I turn to Sigurd Olson for such thoughts….and wise words….here then are some quotes from this great man: Soon I must find out or go insane ... [more]

The Incredible Journey

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:30:18 -0500

Many of us have headed out this summer on a canoe trip….here in Ontario that usually means going to some area like Algonquin, Killarney, or Temagami….such trips could be merely overnight or for as long as a month or more….and no matter how long or where, getting out on a trip is a great way ... [more]

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:49:59 -0500

Sending letter to prime minister (re Ottawa River Heritage Designation)

PETAWAWA -Council will send a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledging the town's support for the Ottawa River Heritage Designation.

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Lines-taking and lofting a historic sailing canoe

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:01:59 -0500

From John Summers, CCM General Manager
I spent an interesting few hours last Sunday measuring a boat. Why would you want to measure a boat, in this case an historic sailing canoe? Well, for a old boat like this, built in the early years of the 20th century, the plans, if there ever were any, are long gone, and so the only way to build another one is to measure and draw it. This involves two related steps: 1) lines-taking; and 2) lofting.

In lines-taking, you construct a geometric box around the boat and measure in from it to points on the canoe's surface. Because a canoe is mostly curves,