History of the Canoe - Burt Kornegay
Burt Kornegay returns to several Shops in February:
“The Perfection of Traveling: a History of the Canoe from Birchbark to ABS”
Setting out in a birchbark canoe to paddle through the wilds of Maine in 1857, Henry David Thoreau immediately sensed that the canoe presented him “with the freedom of the lakes and the woods.” And during the 10-day trip he discovered that no matter how small the passage, “wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe.”When Thoreau and his companions paddled across lakes, he found it “inspiriting to hear the regular dip of the paddles.” And he decribed running rapids as being “somewhat like navigating a thunderspout.” Toward the end of the trip Thoreau reached the fast-flowing Webster Stream, which to him looked like an “inclined mirror” sloping for miles “between two evergreen forests,” and he found his swift descent down it to be “very exhilarating, and the perfection of traveling.”
One-hundred and fifty years later, I hope that you will join me for an “exhilarating” hour at one of the locations below, where, taking my inspiration from Thoreau, I’ll trace the history of wilderness travel by canoe from its beginning with the American Indians down to the present day. Along the way, we’ll see drawings and photographs of every kind of canoe you can imagine, and you’ll hear stories of incredible paddling exploits, from whitewater to warfare. Using slides and maps, I’ll also show you some of the most beautiful rivers in North America to paddle. Slickrock “vets” will be honored guests!
Quick Facts about Burt:
- First ran wilderness trips: age 20, Adirondack Mountains, New York
- Started Slickrock Expeditions: age 33
- Number of nights spent annually in the woods: 100+
- Number of Slickrock Expeditions run to date: more than 400
Presentations start at 7:00 PM. For further information, go to www.slickrockexpeditions.com
Tues, Feb. 13: Greensboro Shop, Friendly Shopping Center
Wed, Feb. 14: Raleigh Shop, Cameron Village
Thurs, Feb. 15: Charlotte Shop, Park Road Shopping Center
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