Campfire
SOLO ACT Frightening, inspiring, spiritually enriching and impossibly lonely. The emotions that solo canoe trips stir in our readers are complex. When we asked our Facebook readers whether the reality of solo tripping is truly as glorious and serene as some claim, the response was diverse. “Empowering when you’ve done it. Soothing whilst you’re doing it. Frightening when it’s your first one and a storm blows in,” reported Andy Barrow. Other readers experienced similar feelings. “It was a little creepy in the beginning but that passed by my third trip,” added Danny Basswhisperer. “The real issue is the way individuals handle solitude,” wrote Marc on
Canoerootsmag.com. “I fall into the category of those who prefer paddling with others, but if I only went on trips when my friends could get away, then I would not paddle any more miles each year than they do.”
WAGER LOST The email had no introduction, just a plea to the editor: “Can you help us—where did the word painter come from?” Determined reader Bob Fraser was referring to the bow and stern lines. Preliminary research by his canoe club’s resident Frenchman had the Parisian taking credit for the word’s origins. “To give him credit? No way,” wrote Fraser. It seems the Canoeroots editorial team
collectively skipped that day of etymology, because we hadn’t the foggiest about the roots of the word. We got in touch with Jeremy Ward, curator at the Canadian Canoe Museum, to see if he could set the record straight. “What a great question,” enthused Ward. “I’ve also had this discussion several times and our amateur verdict was that it originated from the French (Latin, before) verb to hang or suspend: pendre.” Sorry, Fraser. Further research from Ward backed up his ruling: the term painter comes from the old term pentuer, referring to the rope running from a masthead. “While it might be a surprise to see an old
ship’s term used for a mooring line on a humble canoe, don’t forget that these little boats also feature gunwales, even though very few were ever issued to carry a cannon,” adds Ward. Editor’s Note: Now are you wondering about cannon-laden canoes? “No knowledge of a canoe carrying a fixed cannon,” confirms Ward. “Practically, even a small, attached quarter- pound swivel gun would rip the canoe’s gunwales apart with the first shot.”
“WHILE ON A SOLO TRIP, I MISS SAYING ‘ISN’T ALL OF THIS
SPECTACULAR?’ TO ANOTHER HUMAN. BEAUTIFUL SCENERY NEEDS TO BE SHARED.” —Myriam Méthot
ENRICH YOURSELF We’re not the only ones who know getting on the water enhances lives. Canoeroots article, “Seven Reasons Why Paddling Makes You A Better Person” (www.
rapidmedia.com/0499), was a hit with our readers. Here’s how you responded.
26% “IT FORCES YOU TO
SLOW DOWN.” Readers who chimed in with their own additional reasons.
68% “YES! STRONG LIKE!” Paddlers who enthusiastically agreed.
3% “I GOT A PADDLING AS A KID, AND I
TURNED OUT OKAY.” Headline-readers who wanted to discuss corporal punishment.
2% “REASONS OR WHY, BUT NEVER REASONS WHY.” Grammar gurus with red pens.
1% “PADDLING MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A VIKING.” ADD-sufferers who could not stay on-topic.
FIND US
editor@canoerootsmag.com |
www.canoerootsmag.com |
www.facebook.com/canoeroots |
www.twitter.com/canoerootsmag |
www.canoerootstv.com
8 | Canoeroots
PHOTO: PAUL VILLECOURT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
