Hey Everyone,
 It has been a very eventful few days for myself and my team. We have been
facing massive head winds on the water due to our travels through the gorge. If
you aren't familiar with this area, it is world renowned for crazy amounts of
wind and is a mecca for green energy windmills (which basically dot the horizon
everywhere) and wind surfing. I am also happy to announce that we have seemingly
exited the desert and are in the shadow of a Volcano named Mount Hood, and are
once again in some more temerate climate, less dry and more trees!
  Two  days ago, we hit some crazy wind right before a takeout above a dam. After
driving around the dam we were only a 9 kilometres from our camp, so most people
wanted to just take the rest of the day and relax. 12 of us formed two boats of
mixed crew from the die-hards in the brigade and decided to paddle that last 9k.
The catch? 6 foot waves in the middle of the river with a potentially very
dangerous crossing to the right side to get to camp. We put in and began the
crossing, where I got drenched from head to toe and gained an enormous respect
for the wind and the water, and the effect those two have when they meet. I saw
a kite-surfer hit a wave, and catch the wind sending him at least 20 feet
straight vertical. The wind is a force to be reckoned with. During the crossing
I felt dangerously close to tipping a few times as we angled our way across the
waves and rolled over the big swells. It was an interesting experience because
even the experienced paddlers I was with have never quite paddled in that much
current (being just below a dam) and in that much headwind at the same
time...two great opposite forces meeting in one small section of water. Despite
the potential for danger, we all agreed that we couldn't let that opportunity
slip away, and I wasn't about to not be a part of it. It was a great feeling of
sastisfaction when we reached camp and amongst the handshakes and
congratulations I could not help but feel a great respect for the water and a
massive sense of accomplishment. And boy was that not one of the best workouts
I've ever had.
  The next day I built my paddling resume up a bit more.
I sterned (steered) a boat in similar winds (but not as heavy) through 3 foot
waves across the river. Going across is always fun because of the potential for
tipping and getting soaked due to slamming down off the rolling waves. We also
hit some massive current around an island and nearly hit a rock, but with a
strong crew, an excellent bowman (guy in front that sets pace and helps steer)
and a paddle giving me great leverage for steering we were able to narrowly
avoid danger once again...but what a rush.
  Last night, in The Dalles,  we had dinner at a local pub that served only microbrew and craft beers. After a
few pints including a black cherry stout and a blueberry wheat ale, the drinking
songs began, we got the pub going and it wasn't long before we had made some
friends, were getting free rounds, and people had cameras making videos of us
singing enthusiastically at the tops of our respective lungs. One of the most
fun nights I've had in a while! We got back to camp and decided to sleep on the
top of a small rock outcropping about 2 stories up. The stars were out and
filling the sky and I soon drifted off into a very restful sleep, but morning
came much too early.
  Today was more of the same...really nice country,
super awesome paddle. We decided that the waves were fun and that playin a
little further out in the rollers would be a good idea, and boy was it ever. We
were never close to tipping but singing songs with your friends, including
"Bohemian Rhapsody" at the top of your lungs, and plunging in and out of waves
makes for an epic afternoon.
 
Until my paddle brings me home,


Andy

Hey Everyone,

Today was a pretty epic paddle day. We left Pasco, and had to paddle 25k to our stop point. Pasco is located at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, so the width of the river basically doubled. We also have to be on the lookout now for commercial barges and other commercial traffic as they move quickly and we do not want to be caught in their way. 
   We are approaching the Columbia River Gorge section and began to experience some of that crazy wind that we have heard about. Today we paddled in pretty decent headwind (but because of current our speed was still good) and were rising and falling in about 4 foot whitecaps...which means it was awesomely fun. I was steering our canoe today and was purposfully putting us in the biggest swells possible to maximize the fun. The canoe handled it like a champ and we weren't even close to tipping once, they are suprisingly sturdy. 
   At camp today we are having a massive potluck, where 5 turkeys are being deepfried by one team, with other teams providing the rest of the meal. I had a very modest lunch to prepare for it. We are also doing a big last minute arrival today for the tri-cities area and will be arriving to a crowd of nearly 15,000 people. It should be a lot of fun and will be the biggest crowd we've seen to date.

Thats it for now,

Till my paddle brings me home,

Andy

Hello Everyone,

This may be a bit of a long one as WIFI has been a little hard to find and sketchy at best recently. We are currently in Richland, WA in a huge tri-cities area enjoying a Canada Day off...of course we had to double up on paddling yesterday for a total of 83km to get the day off, but it was completely worth it. 

I realize my blog updates have not been as frequent as i would have liked, partly due to the lack of wireless networks and partly due to the fact that in the general happenings of things, not too much has occurred recently other than wake early, quick breakfast, pack, paddle, quick dinner, and sleep. We had a huge arrival in Wenachee the other day, easily the biggest crowd we've had yet. There was a great deal of community support which was great to see. We also got another free dinner....AWESOME! We haven't really done too many massive arrivals but in Vantage the other day we had a pretty good crowd and some media there greeting us...after an extremely difficult paddle. It was only 30km but it was pretty strong headwind most of the way and a paddle that would take a couple hours with current, took 5 hours going rather slowly. I've begun to notice how difficult a paddling day has been if my trapezoid muscles by my neck start to get sore, otherwise it just feels like a good workout.

The day before our team took advantage of a day off in Wenachee and travelled up past a tourist Bavarian style town called Levensworth and headed up an 8 hour mountain hike to a selcuded glacier lake calle Coal Chuck Lake. After 4 hours of hiking up steep switchback trails we finally crested a ridge and saw the most beautiful glacier lake and glacier that I've ever seen. The water was a shade of green I cannot describe and the mountain was just breathtaking. The water was also super cold, and myself, colin, matt, and dave could not resist taking a swim in the hypothermic waters. The swim was a grand total of 15 seconds, after which my extremeties were tingling. I know what you concerned friends and family are thinking, "Andy this is not smart" but really, how often do you get to take a swim in a secluded glacier lake? While it was some of the coldest water I've ever been in, it was totally worth it. There should be pictures of the hike on the main page of our site, inclding a beard i made out of old mans beard that i found in a tree while waiting for the group to catch up. Easily my favourite picture of this trip. 

Today, being Canada Day, we are doing some partying in the park we're staying at, and i'm going to try and catch some delicious bass in the bay. Managed to find a fishing store and get worms as well as replace the rod I broke before I left London. 

We have only a couple of weeks left in this trip, and I have mixed feelings. I am really excited to get home and see my family, but at the same time, this has been one of the singlemost amazing experiences of my life and part of me does not want it to end. 

Thats about it for now, I'll try and be more frequent as we go further, but it all depends on the networks.

Till my paddle brings me home,

Andy

     There are few times in life where you are rendered completely speechless. Tonight was one of those times. To some it would seem like such a small thing, but to us, sitting in a circle listening to a Cherokee elder named "Walks In Water" tell us about her bead collection was a truly humbling event that left us grateful, awestruck, and completely speechless.
      It wasn't so much that she had likely the most amazing trade bead collection I'll ever see; including African slave trade beads, beads worth $600 a pair, beads from 11th century Tibet, and a North American trade bead nearly 500 years old, but it was the stories of how she got them, where they came from and how they were made.
      By far though my favorite was an actual strand given to the family of a friend of hers by Louis and Clark on their expedition in the early 1800s. As I held those beads in my hands I could find no words to describe how amazing it was as a student of history to hold something that significant, I still can't. 
      Having a couple period beads myself I brought her my beads and she told me that I had two kinds of Italian beads, one kind from the late 17th to early 18th century and one kind from the late 18th to late 19th century. There were also two blue beads at the ends from Russia that she had a ton of that date to around the late 17th to 18th century. I told her that I paid around $20 for them and she told me I got a very good deal. The look on her face told me they are worth considerably more.
      Before she parted ways with us for the night She gave each of us a skunk bead (because of the black and white stripes) from the 1600s. Without thinking and even though I know better I held up my right hand. She was quick to remind me that the left hand is for giving and receiving not the right (as the right hand holds your weapon and is therefore not one of friendship). I felt very stupid. She gave me one for Matt as well but something was telling me that I had to keep them straight. My bead was for me and his for him. I strung mine on some sinew but was careful not to do anything with Matts as it was not mine, something told me that too.

Mountains are beautiful, history provides knowledge, but to hold the past leaves one truly speechless. 

For a night I will never forget, thank you "Walks In Water"

Until my paddle brings me home,

Andy

Hey Everyone,
    So the last couple days, due to illness, I've been doing the driving for the team. But after sleeping for the majority of yesterday, I'm feeling much better. It likely was due to a combination of dehydration, a sunburn on the top of my head, and a massive change in diet that added up over the last week. For concerned friends and family, don't worry, after talking to a doctor in our brigade, I'm on a different diet and things are settling out. And has many friends have suggested...sunscreen is my friend (I was trying to even out a tan that I got from a different sunburn on the first day...yes i know this is not smart)
    I'm happy to announce that we have a new addition to team No Way Corvee! Matt's wife Emily has joined us for a couple of weeks. However I am also sad to announce that we are loosing a member of our team, Robbie, as he had to go back to work in Thunder Bay. Speaking of team members, there was interest amongst readers to elaborate a bit on our team and just who I'm spending all this time with. I won't elaborate too much as there are bios on the website that you can check out at your leisure, I'll just relate how I know them and how I got involved in this venture. It all began in 2008 when Dave Bates and his brother Robbie had asked me about joining a brigade similar to this that took them from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta to Thunder Bay. I had originally wanted to go on this brigade, but it just happened to be the year I graduated university and walking across that stage to receive my degrees was kind of important for myself and my family. I told Dave at that time that if there were ever another brigade, I was 100% in. 
    I wasn't actually too familiar with the majority of our team until the trip began. I knew Matt and Dave really well because I worked with them at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, and we were close friends prior too the trip. I also knew Abe, Robbie, and Graham for that same reason but they were on their way in as I was on my way out. The rest of the team I'm getting to know as we paddle, but its a solid crew and we are all getting along famously. We have a real democratic vibe to our team and decisions are usually made as a team. We also make a point of praising and appreciating each other at our daily team meetings so that our efforts don't go unnoticed. 
    Now for some general trip updates. After tons of rain and a very soggy and unfavourable camping spot, we decided to rent a cabin near our site. It has been glorious to have a hot shower not in a locker room surrounded by 5 other dudes. Those showers despite the copious amounts of male nudity are usually lacking both in hot water and water pressure, but when its been 3 days since you've showered, any shower is a good shower. We also went to a talk by Jack Nisbet who wrote "Sources of the River." If you have not read it, and are looking to read about David Thompson, it is a historically sound (meaning lots of references and quotes from Thompsons journals) and entertaining read. He also signed my copy of the book (SUPER EXCITING) and signed our captains book containing our trip journal and notes from the daily captains meetings. On the inside cover, under our team roster he wrote "Jack Nisbet - support." Since we planned on donating our book at the end...this is super awesome!

Looking forward to tomorrow, not for any particular reason, but I just feel that it's going to be a good day! Optimism is the key to happiness

Till my paddle brings me home,

Andy

Hey Everyone,

We have been traveling now for about a week. The country we are in (the land not the fact that we are  in the US) is just absolutely . breathtaking. Nothing but rolling hills and mountains.  I am also constantly in awe of the generosity of the communities that are receiving us. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The people have been super friendly, and we are getting way more free meals than all of us ever expected. When we stopped in Fort Steele just before the border, I was able to get my pants fixed on the historic site by the seamstress there…at no charge. Today, here in Thompson Falls, Montana, a guy offered to help us fix a couple of seats in our canoe which have begun to buckle.  He offered to have us follow him to his woodshop at his house and gave us use of his tools and his wood to fix the canoe…again at no charge. I’m just blown away by the generosity of all of these communities. It is a very rewarding experience for my soul to know that despite the hustle and bustle of regular life that there are people out there that will help just to help.

I have really been enjoying the journey thus far. The paddling and getting to know the other crews has been really amazing. Everyone is willing to help everyone at any time, and there is a real sense of community among the brigade.  Mostly I’ve just been enjoying the paddling though. Since moving away from Thunder Bay and having a busy life it has been real great to just re-connect with that outdoors side of me. Watching the wildlife along the rivers, and seeing the natural flow of the current as it winds its way and changes the landscape is constantly breathtaking. Whether it be an eagle on the river side watching us go by, an osprey picking its meal out of the river, or even the bank swallows which are constantly flying around us on the river, the nature and the scenery is more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Now for the not so fun side. The most difficult part of this journey by far is just the simple fact that I am away from home and away from my fiancée and my dog. I figured that I’d be so busy on this trip that I wouldn’t have time to miss home, and even though I am super busy, I still constantly miss home in every spare moment.  It’s not just the fact that I miss my own bed and snuggling next to my fiancée, but more that I know she would love this experience as much as I am and that it would be really great to share this experience with her. I guess she will have to settle for the pictures I take and the stories that I take with me.

Until my paddle brings me home,

Andy

Greetings from Invermere,

We are still in Invermere, but we are ever closer to beginning our journey. Tomorrow is the big training day, even though our canoe is comprised nearly entirely of Fort William employees and we work well as a team. However, as a team we need to develop a base canoe language so that if we are paddling with another team, we will be able to work together and communicate...we only know how to communicate en francais as voyageurs. 
Yesterday we got some crazy winds blowing onshore and we grabbed some canvas and were catching the wind and jumping until Colin jumped a little too high and fell on his face. After that Colin and I decided to have a spontaneous sparring match, I went in for a body shot, as did he, but I threw a combination that was body shot followed by a left hook...he ducked in for his body shot...and my left hook punched him right in the head. Fortunately it was on the top of the skull, and I immediately followed it up with a hug and an apology...because we weren't actually intending to hit each other. He put up a good fight...but it ended in a one punch knockout!

Hey Everyone,
It's been an eventful couple of days. We got the truck and trailer stuck at the Saskatchewan sign. as I pulled off onto the shoulder which appeared safe but was sticky mud about 3 inches deep...just enough to get it stuck, but fortunately we have 4x4 on the truck and we were able to unhitch, swing the trailer tongue over and drive it out...right into the parking lot. 
As we got into Calgary in the dark we realized we had a bald trailer tire and no night time running lights. Again we were fortunate to have my brother Greg and my Dad in Calgary to help us fix everything. After a late departure from Calgary we made it safely to our canoe pickup point and safely to Invermere.
We quickly got our tents up and food cooked and then dressed into our historic gear. For me it was like coming home after a long absence, like I had reopened a wonderful part of my life... I think everyone felt the same way. 5 of us decided to sleep out of the tent and rock it historic style by sleeping under the canoe. It was by far the most comfortable sleep I've had since I left London. I awoke to a breathtaking mountain vista (as per the picture on my Facebook home page). 
We took the canoe out today and decided that it would be good to try and sink it before we took off down the river. I'm happy to announce that even full of water...it floats, and my life jacket works like a dream. Got my fishing license today, and bought some bait. I'm hoping to supplement our diet with some fresh fish. A big thanks goes out to my Dad who after countless frustrating hours teaching us the ins and outs of fishing, I am completely capable of hooking, and filleting anything I catch.

Day One: I'm going to preface this by saying that this will not be a daily blog type deal. When I find a computer or a Wi-Fi network, I'll do my best to check in.
THE TRIP HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!!
I am currently roughing it at my parent's house in Pinawa, MB. Having a nice memory foam mattress to sleep on tonight should be an accurate representation of what my sleeping accommodations will be like for the rest of the trip...
After some last minute packing this morning and a trip to Can Tire for some last minute ratchet straps we took off from Tbay around noon. We discovered that our truck is a beast and despite the massive size of our trailer it towed with no difficulty. The drive was a mixture of singing along to the Dropkick Murphys with a little reading of the "Arrest of Alexander Fraser" (not to be confused with a more famous fur trader/explorer Simon Fraser, partner in the NWC and who has a river which bears his name in BC). This Fraser is simply a deplorable blacksmith throwing a temper tantrum in the trades square.
The most notable event of the day was our Height of Land Ceremony. This is something voyageurs would do to con booze out of the naive gentlemen travelling with them. There were two oaths that a Voyageur would take when crossing a height of land (the first height of land is found just out side Thunder Bay where the watershed changes). First, they must swear to never let another voyageur who has not made the trip cross a height of land without performing the ceremony. Second, they must swear to never kiss another voygeurs wife without her permission. But simply put, the voyageurs came up with this event so they would have an event to celebrate with booze which, most of the time, would be provided by the gentleman travelling with them. We had no booze...just an OPP officer on the hwy who stopped to make sure everything was alright...and after some information about our trip, shot us a quizzical look and drove off...likely more confused than when she stopped...

Today was fun and was smooth sailing. I'm hoping for more of the same tomorrow. Off to Calgary tomorrow to stay at my brothers place...what a wonderfu 15 hour drive that will be.

Till my paddle touches the water and brings me home,

Andy