In early October, I headed out on what I believed would be a quick overnight solo canoe trip on the French River. I had looked at the map, planned my route, and convinced myself this would be straightforward: paddle 6.7 km, one portage, one pullover, find the lake I’d been wanting to explore for a while, make camp, enjoy the quiet.
It didn’t quite go that way.
The first leg of the trip started simple enough. Calm water, steady paddling, just me and my Nova Craft Prospector 14 cutting through the river. I’ve paddled solo plenty of times, and this felt like familiar territory. That confidence may have been part of the problem. I was prepared, but I was also a bit naive about what the day would actually demand.
A Side Quest I Couldn’t Resist
On my way in, I stopped to find a beaver pond I’d always wondered about. I had the time, the weather was good, and curiosity has always been part of why I head into these places. So I went for it.
The small detour ended up being one of the highlights of the day.
A quiet, glassy pond.
A massive beaver dam holding everything in place.
A moment where the world just slows down.
It was worth the stop.
Back to the Mission
After the pond, I got back on track and continued toward the lake system I was aiming for. This first episode sets the tone—what begins as a simple trip slowly becomes something larger, more challenging, and more meaningful than I expected.
This series isn’t just about paddling. It’s about curiosity, adapting when things don’t go to plan, and paying attention to the subtle moments along the way.
Watch the full playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6s24DUaXPyx8YSg1sUFpUYz-Dqzwe_dH&si=oz7MnPmJ8_w_gWvr
Paddling: Nova Craft Prospector 14
Proudly Canadian-made. Built for the kind of country that makes you work for it.