Paddling to Winter

by Julie Buckles

Julie and Charly built a canoe together, got married, then embarked on The Trip, paddling from Lake Superior to Wollaston Lake in northern Saskatchewan. And that was just the beginning. This is their incredible true story.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel, Nature

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Julie Buckles is the owner of Honest Dog Books and the author of "Paddling to Winter: A Couple's Wilderness Journey from Lake Superior to Northern Canada," published in September 2013.

Reviews

[Sean Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book through the author's Twitter account, after she ordered my book about a similar experience. It was such a fun read! Perhaps I'm coming at it from a different perspective than most, but her descriptions of the beauty and solitude of the wild north are spot on. Ultimately, Julie's experience was far different than my own (I went with a high school buddy, she went with her husband), but I found commonalities where anyone else who has spent time in the woods will surely relate. Without giving a spoiler, her epilogue at the end showed beautifully how an adventure like this never truly leaves you. Definitely recommend!

[Stacy Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this book as a gift across the country and everyone has loved it--from my uncle in CA who surfs to my mother-in-law in PA who loves to canoe. Even my sister in MN who has never canoed
loved it. I think it's because the book provides a look at relationships which is honest, intimate, and funny all while in the context of an unbelievable expedition. I felt as though I was sitting in Julie's living room listening to the stories in person.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the right book comes into your hands at the right time. The story was so beautiful and wonderful, and seemed so simple, even though it was anything but simple.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I can see why the Honest Dog Bookstore is such a gem ... Julie Buckles’ writing brings the reader along on her and Charly Ray’s journey as they paddle from Wisconsin to the far north with a goal of the Arctic Ocean. She tells the story of their early marriage paddling adventure intertwined with observations of those adventurers who came before them, or by whom they are crossing paths on their way. The limited activity options during their prolonged journey echoed pandemic themes of today — the yearning to connect with friends and family when travel is restricted and distance far (and the need to create new ways of staying in touch), as well as the desire for solitude when there has been too much together time in too small a space! I laughed, I teared up, I felt that pull of the spirit that calls us to escape the noisy distraction of life and work to focus instead on the simplest of pleasures, more often than not found in the natural world. Turning the last pages, it was a book I hated to see end, wanting to call out to author Julie — let me pour a drink or a cup of coffee for us ... and tell me more.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about expeditions and wilderness travel. This one was pretty unique for two primary reasons. First, the author is quite the extrovert and needs people around her - not typically a primary trait you find in people who head for the wilderness for a year. She had a great attitude about it, and certainly loved the experience, but I found myself laughing at her need for someone other than her husband to talk to. Second, [spoiler alert] they never finished the expedition! It is a good sign that I was into the book that I was just as disappointed as the author that the book was so suddenly over.

[Jennie Menke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book! Maybe the write-up/review beefed up my expectations too much. I didn't find her stories "hilarious" or "riveting" as described/ Perhaps a little drama or exaggeration would have been good? Or maybe I just do too much of that myself. Indeed, there were *potentially* hilarious and riveting stories but I felt the author fell flat in re-telling them. I don't know. It was a good read -- what an undertaking! -- I just wanted the telling of their epic journey to be epic as well.

[Liz Woodworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not necessarily an outdoor enthusiast; in fact, I consider myself an "indoor kid" but I was completely enthralled with this book. Buckles tells the story of her journey north with her husband in a lovely, simple and moving manner. Funny, poignant and honest, it was a joy to read. I easily got lost in this book. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry. I'm from Alaska. This midwest canoeing trip through flat lands just doesn't do it for me. Lake Winnepeg? remind me to avoid it at all costs.

[Kate Zdenek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these types of books to live vicariously through the author’s adventures.

“One late afternoon we set out for a snowshoe hike. The temperature rested at thirty below, with wind chill at sixty-four below. Our snowshoes crunched on the snow as the ice boomed beneath us”. (page 190)

I am such a wimp there is no way I would ever consider attempting to go outside in thirty below weather, let alone snowshoeing.

Newly married Julie Buckles and Charly Ray set off on their dream honeymoon - a 27,000-mile trip from northern Wisconsin to the Arctic Circle in a handmade wood canoe, planning to spend the winter in Canada. This is the chronicle of that adventure. Along the way, they weathered storms and cold, fought loneliness, made new friends, and discovered their strengths and weaknesses.

Julie makes their story come alive. If you love extreme adventure stories, this is the book for you.

Julie Buckles owns Honest Dog Books in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Paddling to Winter, and I thought it was wonderful! It was a page turner. One night I stayed up way too late (1:00 a.m.) because I just couldn't stop reading! The descriptions of the planning, people, water, weather, animals, and wilderness really helped me picture what Julie and her husband's trip must have been like. I laughed, I cried, and I held my breath at times (like the Lake Superior-Two Harbors episode, when the author drank the unfiltered water, and when she got lost on the ice, just to mention a few). The descriptions of the canoe trip are very clear and vivid. Just as interesting is the description of their wintering in a small Canadian town. I enjoyed meeting the people that Julie and her husband got to know. I don't canoe, but I really enjoyed this book and learning something about what it takes to do this type of wilderness canoeing.

[Cynthia Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman on an adventure and what could be better than that? A woman on two adventures.

The adventure of traveling 2700 miles to the Arctic Ocean... At times reading this, I don't think I was breathing. "I dug in with my paddle just as the wave lifted us into the air. We teetered on the top of a three-foot crest, pausing for what seemed like minutes."

And also the adventure of marriage... "Eight months after Charly had first shown me the map on his wall in Washington, I left the nation's capital doing something I'd sworn I'd never do: move for a man... We had no clue what we were doing. I was writing and living in a cabin, but it was not the nonstop romance I had imagined. Car batteries froze solid and cracked... I remember sitting on the bed in the loft, alone, crying because I was folding laundry instead of making love."

Excellent and honest writing. I couldn't put it down.

[J W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of the journey of the author and her husband paddling from Lake Superior to northern Canada in a canoe they made and staying over winter in an island cabin. Engaging and heartfelt, it inspires in the reader a love for the wilderness and the solitary places that humans spend little time in. An adventure of water, snow, and ice, of family, friends, and strangers who become friends. Strongly recommended.

[Karenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is the engaging adventure story you would expect, what surprised me is the honest portrayal of marriage, family, and community (people coming and staying together despite unkindnesses, misunderstandings, geographic distances, differing temperaments, etc.) that Buckles also describes. Come for the adventure, stay for the fellowship!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was finally able to order this book from the local library, thanks to Raven Productions, an independent publisher in Ely, MN. I enjoy reading wilderness adventures and this was a sweet one. Ambitious goals, perseverance, youth and good luck allowed their trip to be successful. I wonder what their trip would have been like if they had not met Felix and Linda?

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this adventure story about a couple and their paddling trip from Lake Superior into northern Canada. They then wintered over in a cabin in Wollaston in Saskatchewan. I think I enjoyed hearing about what that winter was like most of all! This was a great adventure read.

[Cameron Mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting adventure tale of a husband and wife paddling from Northern Wisconsin to northern Canada. Made me long for another canoe trip and glad I.m too old to tackle something as ambitious as this.

[Ceci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about taking on large goals and all the challenges that come with it in stride. Life isn't always happy, but it is always an adventure! Makes me think of my parents starting their retirement at the new farm

[Hannah⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read. Julie is a really wonderful writer and she was so good at describing all the scenery, all the people they met on the trip, even the food they cooked while paddling. This book kinda made me want to go have my own grand adventure out in nature honestly

[Heather Gahres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this journey to the north. A story about life, love, and adventure. You could feel the happiness, the frustration, fear, and sorrow that comes from life experiences, made that much more special with the beautiful details of the nature and people that surrounded them.

[Shannon Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s was a great light read. Julie buckles story is empowering. I am zero percent interested in outdoorsy stuff and yet she made the story super interesting, relatable. I learned alot and felt like I got to know Julie and her crew.

[Bryce Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting because I love to canoe and the wilderness. Others who don't have that love might not find it interesting at all.

[Philip Bazinet · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is like the most boring person at your office telling you about their “amazing” trip as you slowly move backwards out of the breakroom.

[Tyler Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, ok. At times a good read.

[Ashley Gebb · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about quite an adventure. Her level of detail was impressive, as was her honesty. I felt like I was with them for much of the journey.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. They went through Rainy Lake, a lake in and around International Falls, where we spent so many summers at Camp Kooch-I-Ching. Julie's father did the electric for the cabins on Oberholtzer's island, a place we have visited too. And I appreciated all the descriptions of the scenery and the surroundings. It was such an amazing adventure.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I know Julie. However, if I didn't think this book was super-great, I would not be writing any review, let alone the glowing one you are about to read, and I would just avoid her and duck around a corner if we happened to be in the same room so I wouldn't feel the need to say anything about this book, because I am a terrible liar. Luckily for all, this book is super-great; so good, in fact, that I don't know where exactly it is right now. I finished it and left it with my mom, because I knew she would like it. But then apparently my sister-in-law started reading it while visiting and became engrossed and asked to take it home with her so she could finish it. I assume it is still at her place, but who knows. I should have just bought extra copies from the beginning.

Anyway, the basic premise of this book is compelling: Julie and her new husband Charly undertake an epic canoe trip for their honeymoon from the south shore of Lake Superior to far northern Canada, spending the winter in an isolated cabin. So it's already a good story, but a good story still needs to be told well, and the quality of the writing lifts this book into the category of "must-read". The narrative is absorbing, with a strong sense of place as the couple makes their way north. Many sections are hysterically funny, and she doesn't shy away from the real difficulty of having to work together as a couple in unforgiving circumstances.

Having read a lot of memoirs, I've noticed one thing that sets apart the good ones: a sense of self-awareness. When you're writing about a singular event or activity like a year-long canoe trip, it could be easy to fall into a pattern of continually pointing out the uniqueness of your story, as in, "Can you believe this? Isn't this a crazy thing to be doing? Aren't I a special snowflake?" This isn't usually specifically stated outright, but it's clear between the lines, and it can ruin a perfectly good story. There is not even a whiff of this in "Paddling"; Julie just tells the story. And that is more than enough.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for canoe fans, chronicling a newlywed couple's ambitious 1999-2000 plan to canoe 2,700 miles northward over 18 months, including an arctic stay. As such, it's an interesting book on logistics, perseverance, and minimalist living. The story also shares dangers, mistakes, and the psychological stress one can experience during extended backcountry trips—including the mixed emotions about returning to civilization. My main nitpick was several times the story transitions were jarring during time or location jumps, literally like a chapter was missing. Also missing--but not needed--was backmatter to assist anyone thinking of such a journey. Overall a good read for those who want to paddle through wilderness vicariously, or someday hope to themselves.

[Joan Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging tale of the 2700 mile canoe trip undertaken by a young married couple, traveling from northern Wisconsin to the Arctic circle. Buckles published this book 14 years after she and her new husband took the journey. A professional journalist and environmentalist, she describes the terrain, the rigors and joys of the trip in a page-turning style. The book is as much about the developing relationship between Julie and her husband Charly as it is about canoeing. Anyone who has ever contemplated such a trip or challenged themselves to complete a dream, as well as all armchair travelers will enjoy this book.

[Melanie Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, which I purchased not far from where the writer lives, while visiting my family this summer in MN and WI. This is a story about newlyweds who planned a trip from WI to Northern Canada. They planned to travel by canoe 2700 miles and take 1 1/2 years but a family health issue intervened. This was great and reminded me of the various adventured i had in my youth in nature and outdoors. I especially remembered a trip I took with Sarine and Carrie to the Boundary Waters. These kind of trips are awesome and amazing. And while I never had an opportunity to do a trip like the author and her husband, kudos to them for this wonderful adventure and taking us along on it!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a paddler the book appealed to me but I got this as a gift from my brother. We both paddled canoes in the north country and into Canada as teenagers and I found myself relating to the author's husband who had a dream and followed it. he was fortunate enough to meet a woman who would join him in the adventure.

The book feels like it speaks honestly about the joys and pains experienced on the trail and living in the north country. Although a bit more editing could have been done, I loved it.