Canoeist paddling 6,000-mile Great Loop out of gratitude for life

[Tsuga8]

Canoeist paddling 6,000-mile Great Loop out of gratitude for life

Peter Frank has paddled far in his Sawyer Loon decked canoe _ from Escanaba, Michigan to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. He’s still got a long way to go reach his goal.

apnews.com

 

[ppine]

Very interesting route. It is amazing to me that young people have such a strong need to stay connected with their electronics. For me the best thing about a trip like this would be no tv, no phone and no internet. Meeting people along the way would be very rewarding.

 

[Tsuga8]

Ppine, I agree on the one hand, but then again I try to trip in wilderness-esque places in part because I want to be off grid. Generally I agree most of us could use less screentime.

Traversing the east coast, Intracoastal Waterway, Mississippi etc seem a very different kind of trip, and one where it might pay to be on grid more. There's also a difference between being off grid for a weekend, week, month, or summer, vs multiple years. I'd think having a radio, cell phone, PLB etc are needed safety implements - and some require subscriptions. Plus he's paying for his lifestyle through being connected (writing, online fundraising).

In days of yore people would have mail sent ahead to general delivery at stops along a long trip route. Ships would stop to give each other mail destined for home ports, etc. Wanting to be connected is pretty natural for many people. But smart phones are designed to be addictive.... I bet I log a lot more screen time than this guy who paddles 6-10 hrs a day.