Paddle North: Canoeing the Boundary Waters-Quetico Wilderness

by Greg Breining, Layne Kennedy (Photographer)

Canoe country has a strong hold on the imagination. The conifers and rock-ribbed lakes of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and neighboring Quetico Provincial Park are still a remote wilderness where Cree, Ojibwe, and voyageurs once traveled in birch-bark canoes, where lynx, moose, and gray wolves still roam. It is a place and a dream, a source of enjoyment for the hundreds of thousands who have paddled—or imagined paddling—a canoe through these distinctive waters.

Writer Greg Breining and photographer Layne Kennedy have hefted their canoes over many a portage in both the BWCAW and the Quetico, and their new book, Paddle North, in words and full-color photos, inspires dreams of simple days out on the water and quiet nights at home in the woods. Meditations on map making and canoe building, on the rock-pine-water combination that defines the northland, on winter weather and forest fire are all accompanied by views of sparkling lakes and rocky cliffs, challenging portages, campfire reflections, and friendships forged away from the hustle of everyday life. Together, these stories and images convey a sense of reverence for the landscape and the playful joy felt by those who paddle north.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

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Reviews

[todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This effort makes a nice addition to any BWCA/Quetico enthusiast's collection. The primary draw is the wonderful set of photographs, which compare favorably to any in the genre. I gave the book three stars because the narrative seems somewhat contrived, a trait often seen in these kinds of books. There is not a great logic to the chapters, but they at least thematically group the photos. The text offers the author an opportunity to tell some nice stories, pontificate on how wilderness paddling really should be done (kevlar boats are good, double loads on portages are SO much more efficient)and throw in his opinions on ecology (global warming will change the BWCA by next week). I'm not sure what it is about BWCA/Quetico that brings this preachy trait out in authors. But opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one and this author seems to have several. It's just a little annoying how often they are on display in what could otherwise be an opportunity to elegantly pay homage to one of the great spots in the world. Put a shirt on! Having said that, part to the proceeds go to a good cause, so buy it and enjoy the photos, especially on these winter evenings when we all wish we could be paddling.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, mostly for its beautiful photographs, but the essays were very good too. Especially liked the one on maps. And SO. Cannot understand the one thing missing from this book - no map. My father-in-law read it when I brought it on vacation and it drove him crazy - he actually went to Barnes & Noble to look up where the Boundary Waters are.
But if you do know where they are, this book does the one thing that books like this are supposed to do - it makes you want to pack up and go there. Tonight.

[Dhaivyd Hilgendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the BWCA and Quetico, with lovely photos, but for the experienced paddler in this area, the content is likely to be mostly known.