Lake Winnipeg - Canoeing with the Cree

[Steve-o]

The ice fishing report for Lake Winnipeg on the MNO Front Page reminded me of the book, Canoeing with the Cree.

Written in 1935, journalist Eric Sevareid recounts the canoe trip that he Walter Port took when they graduated from high school in 1930.  They paddled from Fort Snelling to Hudson Bay.  The chapter on their harrowing traverse of Lake Winnipeg is particularly riveting.

It is a great depiction of how different the Minnesota and Canadian wilderness were not too long ago and contrasts with so much of what we take for granted today - like the existence of maps.

Have any of you guys read this?

[HD]

I do remember reading that.... but it was so long ago... 

[Steve-o]

The thing that struck me in the MNO story was the reminder that the slightest wind can create big waves on the shallow, featureless lake.

Sevareid and Porter were laid up several days waiting for conditions they could paddle in.  When finally on the water, they knew the breeze could come up at any moment and throw waves big enough to swamp the canoe. 

Also, they didn't have a map of the area when they got there as much of the area was uncharted!  Someone gave them a partial map.  At one point they found themselves navigating perilously close to the edge of the mapped region.  Had they gotten lost at that point, they would not have made it.

It was quite an adventure.

[glenn57]

Steve-o, always enjoyed reading books. the more you post about it, is this something i could get at barnes and noble. i dont order online!!!!!!

[Boar]

Glenn who ya foolin.... u cant read....

[Steve-o]

B&N should have it in stock.  It is a classic adventure story.  Not quite as famous as Jack London, but I liked it better.

No spoilers, but you will be amazed at how primitive things were in 1930.

[glenn57]

Glenn who ya foolin.... u cant read....

 

 thanks Steve-o!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HD]

I'm going to have to read it again, I do remember that it was a great read..... When you mentioned points of it, it clicks.... I must be loosing my marbles cause, for the life of me, I can't remember it all...

Guess I'm going 

[glenn57]

I'm going to have to read it again, I do remember that it was a great read..... When you mentioned points of it, it clicks.... I must be loosing my marbles cause, for the life of me, I can't remember it all...

Guess I'm going 

nope glenn..............don't do it!!!!!!!!