Comments on: Getting Lost

By: Christopher Cunningham

Christopher Cunningham — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 01:39:14 +0000

In reply to Drew Britten. I don't recall now where we left the St. Mary's River. Some good samaritans who lived on the river knew about the gap between the river and the swamp and gave us a ride, boats and all, in their pickup truck.

By: Drew Britten

Drew Britten — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:28:07 +0000

In reply to Christopher Cunningham. What an epic adventure! I was looking thru your itinerary with Google Maps, and I am intrigued by Okefenokee NWR. The park map on their website shows a connection to the upper Suwanee river, but none with St. Mary's River. I am curious if you remember where your take-out was on St. Mary's. Did you take out near Folkston, where the river passes near the east road entrance to Okefenokee, or did you continue until St. Mary's turns back north and enters into the NWR at the southeast corner?

By: John Sandusky

John Sandusky — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 15:17:39 +0000

My wife refers to it as “Wandering, not lost.” For many years I sailed without electronics, just paper charts and a compass. While I carry a handheld GPS and an app on my phone, I still prefer paper charts. In the bays and modest streams where I do my small boat paddling, I just navigate by eye without charts. I still enjoy the challenge, even in fog.

By: Max Wojcik

Max Wojcik — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 04:28:07 +0000

My opinion is that with GPS, no one actually knows where they are. They turn off listening to a sense of direction, and follow the arrows. GPS users may see scenery, but aren’t engaged the same way. I never use it. Even to plan a trip, after I realized it always selects for the fastest, most boring path. Screens don’t reveal relative position the way maps do, and when I’m on a trip, I want to fully be on the trip. Turning off the part of your brain which problem solves a path to a goal may leave room for other things, but do you use that space to ponder the meaning of life, or vibe to whatever soniscape the entertainment industry has filtered for you? GPS has reduced traveling to the level of connect the dots pictures. If you like boats: be part of the environment instead of adding another prize to your cocktail-party list.
I do not agree today’s technology brings advantages in safety. Only going where a person feels they have the ability to get themselves out: that’s safety. Only being with someone you already feel safe with: that’s safety. And keeping alive the section of our brain dedicated to our personal safety: that’s true safety.

By: Sebastian Schröder

Sebastian Schröder — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 10:33:36 +0000

I really like the description of critical points of this journey and I am impressed by the solutions to find your way. I grew up in east Germany, a place where it was hard to get lost and even harder to have good technical equipment for weather forecast and navigation until 1989. Being now able to navigate, to stay tuned and to keep in contact and to be aware of changing weather is a chance. I often sail with crews that are inexperienced or with children. Starting an adventure and being responsible at the same time means preparing and adapting to all conditions that threaten a crew. So these little helpers are a welcome backup when the paper chart doesn’t help.

By: Christopher Cunningham

Christopher Cunningham — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 20:30:19 +0000

In reply to Adam Davis.

The route was entirely inland and required only three portages. Here is a brief itinerary:

Québec City
St. Lawrence River
Richelieu Canal
Lake Champlain
New York State Barge Canal
Hudson River
Delaware Raritan canal (short portage on the west end by good Samaritan truck)
Delaware River
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Chesapeake Bay
Dismal Swamp Canal
Intracoastal Waterway
St. Marys River (portage on the west end by good Samaritan truck)
Okefenokee Swamp (haul over west levee)
Suwanee River
Gulf of Mexico
Cedar Key

The distance paddled was roughly 2,500 miles and took 4 ½ months.

By: Adam Davis

Adam Davis — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:58:03 +0000

Thanks for the great story, Chris. Could you share the route that you followed during the Quebec to Florida journey? Any strategic portages (e.g., Pont-du-Chene to Moncton), or simply following the coastline?

By: Chris Vagas

Chris Vagas — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 20:06:36 +0000

Ahh, getting lost is a lost art.

By: Thomas Matechik

Thomas Matechik — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 23:12:40 +0000

I really enjoyed reading your article. It reminds me of time spent with my own daughter, just 6 years old. She does not have her own phone or tablet but is well aware of modern technological communications and conveniences. Sometimes when I am driving with her I turn off GPS and let her give me directions on where to go. It is a rewarding experience for both of us. Her confidence grows and I get to experience the world though the landmarks that she recognizes as important.

By: Brian O Connor

Brian O Connor — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 03:33:25 +0000

Lovely last line!