Dazed but Not Confused: Tales of a Wilderness Wanderer

by Kevin Callan, James Raffan (Foreword)

A collection of adventures (and misadventures) spent travelling in the wilderness.

Kevin Callan presents his best adventures – and misadventures – in the wilderness. Entertaining, yet enlightening, the stories are full of enthusiasm and are designed to get people to explore the wilderness on their own, and it’s hoped, be inspired to protect what’s still left. These captured moments of a life spent traveling in secluded areas and promoting their importance to all of us aren’t just for outdoorsy types. The stories relate to a much broader readers who have pondered sleeping under the stars or paddling a canoe across a calm lake or down wild rapids, or even venturing into the winter woods. After reading this book, they’ll want to pack up and go the very next day.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 2013

About the author

Kevin (aka The Happy Camper) is the author of 19 books; his latest being Another Bend in the River: The Happy Camper's Memoir. He is an award winning writer and a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America. Kevin is also a regular guest on several television morning shows and CBC Radio. He has won several film awards, writes a column for Paddling Magazine and Explore Magazine. Kevin was listed one of the top 100 modern day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada. Check out his web site at www.kevincallan.com and YouTube channel KCHappyCamper.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read books about the outdoors very often. There are trees outside my house right now; I could go look at them if I wanted to. Going outside is a thing to do, not read about. One can even read outside, and if one is reading about the outdoors outside, isn't that redundant? With all the trees and lakes and urban deer around here, why would I spend time reading about somebody else's trees? That said, I've just read read four outdoors books roughly back to back and they've all been good ones, which is amazing, as it's hard to make, "I spent several days walking around" sound interesting. And there's not much to say about a nature book other than, "I laughed out loud several times." Take Kevin Callan's reasonably new book, Dazed but Not Confused. I've been looking forward to it for ages but I've got nothing in particular to say about it other than I liked it a lot. Kevin tells stories about the outdoors and canoeing. Some of them are reprinted from his last book, Wilderness Pleasures, and all were first published in one of the canoeing magazines he writes for. Dazed but Not Confused is divided into three sections: Playing in the Woods, Wilderness Philosophy, and Life as a Wilderness Pornographer. Some Canadians have been calling Kevin a "wilderness pornographer" because he keeps writing books about backwoods canoe routes they considered their exclusive domain.

There are good stories in here, although the tone is more pensive than Wilderness Pleasures. Kevin tells the full story of breaking a foot on his trip with his friend Ashley, who considers wearing a Speedo while camping acceptable. (Note: Wearing a Speedo is never acceptable). He goes on a Scottish canoeing trip with his wife and daughter. Winter camping. There's a story about the camp girls from hell. Pro-tip gleaned from that story: If you are in the backwoods and you see a rescue helicopter flying by, don't let everybody in your group start waving "hi" to it, because the helicopter pilot will think you are waving at him, and he will land, and he will not have enough fuel to effect the rescue of the injured person who is somewhere else in the forest, and he will need to go back to town to refuel, and you will be charged for the helicopter fuel. The only problem with Dazed but Not Confused is the price. It's $24.99 for a paperback, and we all know those are Canadian dollars.

http://surfeitofbooks.blogspot.com/

[Anthony Meaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, easy read with very short chapters that are little vignettes of the author's many (and often hilarious) canoe adventures.

Some of the stories (like those about Wabakimi, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, or finding lost canoe routes) will make you want to go paddling right now!

Others like the annoying crowds (120 at one portage?!!!) rude people who hit you in the "nads" with their paddle, clients who hit on their younger employees during a guided trip or evil teenage girls will make you wonder just how "wilderness" canoeing really is.

Great summer read for the cottage, or winter read to get you excited about the upcoming paddling season.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin is as funny a writer as he is on Youtube. He has a clear and funny voice that has gravitas when required. He's a gem and a treasure who should be celebrated by Canadians as he works to promote canoeing and the outdoors. A very easy and enjoyable read and a must for canoe-types.

[Jim Sarjeant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining stories by a local canoeing expert. Brought back memories of my many trips.

[Chelsea Phelan-Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories made my laugh. They gave me ideas on possible future trips. They thought me lesson before learning them myself on my own trips.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterical!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable Callan humour. This book borrows stories from his other guide books, so if you've spent time perusing his other books you will definitely find some repeats here. It's a lighthearted book to get you through some cold winter evenings daydreaming of the season to come...

[Danelle K · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Kevin's stories are hilarious and you can just see him getting himself stuck on so many of these scenarios. His quirkiness and bad luck always make for excellent story telling.