Paddling The Northern Forest Canoe Trail A Journey Through New England History

Two college friends, Sam Brakeley and Andy Rougeot, embark upon a 39-day canoe trip on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail through New England. Rapids, wildlife, and mishaps all add spice to their 740-mile journey, but it is the unique flavor of northern New England and the eclectic individuals who populate the region that make it singularly memorable.

Imagine taking on the challenge of a cross-Canada canoe adventure: to live outdoors for months at a time, to embark on your destination knowing you have 8,515 kilometres ahead of you to paddle. Canoe for Change is the story of husband-and-wife team Glenn Green and Carol VandenEngel who took on this gift and privilege to see Canada from thousand-year-old water trails and form connections to nature that many have lost. Traversing through oceans, rivers, lakes and creeks, the couple completed a three-year paddle across Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Manoeuvring tidal currents, high winds and waves, pulling their canoe over the Rocky Mountains, paddling through badlands, seeing wolves and bears on remote shorelines, they experienced Canada's natural beauty from the water's edge. Along the way, they found perseverance, companionship and self-discovery. In exploring this great land full of amazing diversity, one of their most remarkable memories is of the friendliness, kindness and generosity bestowed upon them by their fellow Canadians. Listen to the sound the paddle makes as it dips into the water and taste true freedom...after all, it is not a race but a retirement cruise. Outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers will find fascination and inspiration in Canoe for Change, while travellers and paddlers looking for a new way to see Canada will find helpful information about routes, equipment and logistics.

In 1775, Benedict Arnold and an army of 1100 set off into the Maine wilderness. Enduring floods, frostbite, desertion and starvation, they traversed over 300 miles of untraveled wilderness. While ultimately unsuccessful in their attack on Quebec City, Arnold and his men were lauded as "indefatigable" and "famine-proof" for their courageous feat. In 2013, author Sam Brakeley sets out to re-create their journey. While easily evading starvation and hypothermia, he discovers that the 21st century nevertheless brings its own set of challenges. Complete with aggressive land-owners, lascivious women and massive oil spills, we find that life on the river is always exhilarating. Combining 18th and 21st century adventures, Sam Brakeley vividly recreates Arnold's expedition to Quebec while telling his own modern-day saga. With humor, warmth and compassion, he reminds us that by connecting with the past we can more fully experience the present and future.

Paddling Through Time invites readers to explore the heritage of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, following geographical, human, cultural, and natural currents. Paddlers, historians, and anyone with an affection for the Northern Forest will find information, insight, and inspiration in this full-color, lively book.

The 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail is the largest inland water trail in the United States. The trail follows the traditional travel routes of Native Americans, including the Wabanaki and Iroquois, as well as their Paleo-Indian ancestors. Beginning in Old Forge, New York, and ending in Fort Kent, Maine, the NFCT encompasses 58 lakes and ponds, 22 rivers and streams, 62 portages totaling more than 55-miles. With just over 347 miles, Maine is home to more of the trail than any other state and it is the wildest, least populated section. The Canoe Trail in Maine includes Umbagog, Moosehead, Rangeley, Flagstaff, Chesuncook, and Chamberlain Lakes, as well as the entire 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway. This is a guide for doers, as well as dreamers. Practical information on paddling, gear, safety, plus maps will help you get started; and the beautiful photography will inspire you to prepare and help you stay motivated until it’s time to head out. A paddle on the Canoe Trail is a trip through time as canoeists and kayakers discover the rich Native American and forestry history of the region, pockets of pristine wilderness, and an abundance of wildlife, including moose, bear, deer, beaver, bald eagles, and loons. It’s the backwoods paddling experience of a lifetime.

Written by a Registered Maine Guide and ACA-certified sea kayaking instructor, this concise guide, for beginner and inveterate paddlers alike, highlights 50 of the best sea kayaking adventures in New England, from Maine's Bold Coast to the mouth of the Connecticut River. Each trip features a full description, map of the route, launch information, tide and currents, "plan B" routes, and nearby attractions, and is rounded out by a selection of nature and history essays.