| E - CANOE CRUISING
Actual travel by canoe in the wilderness is real adventure and real fun - but it also is hard work.
If you use your head, you can do the work in the least time with the least effort and have the most
time and energy for fun. Let's take a typical day, step by step.
1. Reveille
It's so nice to stay in the sack while the sun climbs - but by the time you finally get the canoes
loaded and away, the whole day is dragging far behind schedule. There isn't time for fishing and a
swim, camp has to be made and the dishes done in the dark. The slow starter wastes his opportunities
and those of the group. Get going early! ! ! !
2. Breakfast and Packing Up
From the minute you and the rest of your group crawl out in the morning, make a game of
trying to beat your own time until you push off for the day's travel. Have the work planned, do your
part of it, and help anyone who gets stuck and might delay the group. Even at best, making fire,
cooking, washing dishes, striking tents, packing duffle, loading the canoes will use up two hours.
When you pack, get everything into the minimum number of separate packs and bags. Don't
have a lot of little loose items. However, when you load, leave your cup out of your pack, place it
on your belt hook where you can reach it easily. You'll get thirsty before you have paddled far.
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