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Thank you.

Gotta love nature's entertainment.

The Azores had been a hidden gem for years. They were late to the tourist game, which turned out to be a good thing. This delay allowed them to observe the mistakes made by other popular island destinations, especially the over-commercialization that led to their detriment. Tourism has brought a significant influx of dollars to this once much-impoverished group of islands. The Azores possess a secret sauce that works; time will tell whether they will fall prey to the allure of money or manage to strike a balance. I know this is at the forefront of their government meetings. As a first-generation Azorean in the Americas, I am grateful for my parents' struggle to give me the life I have had.

I really should block you from these videos. You'll never get back out there for a visit. You deserve it. Of the 28 days we were out there, it never rained on us except for a brief 10-minute shower while we were out on a hike in the last week. It's unheard of in September. We did have one night when it rained, but I won't count that because we were already in the house for the night.

Thank you. Wickford Village, RI.

You're my biggest fan.🤩

@@johnniecanoe1 ALWAYS! 😘

My knees held up just fine. Here's a little back story. Had both my knees replaced in 2017 about 4 months apart. The last one in December. PT was key. I did about 4 months of PT with a therapist. I would ride my bike quite a bit after that . Feeling quite confident, In May of 2019 I did a 7 day unsupported bike tour around Lake Champlain hualing 90 lbs of bike and gear. Not long after that I started entertaining the idea of the NFCT. I was in the early process of slowly putting it together when I got a call from a friend asking if My wife and I wanted to join his private 3 week rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. I couldn't pass that up, It just lined up perfectly. 2021 Covid was still a big deal, and not being able to cross the border made a major impact on me waiting another year. So 2022 was the year. My knee felt good, did lots of local hiking and weight training prior to the trip. What's nice about a NFCT thru paddle is that the way it's set up. it slowly builds up your stamina for the long portages and upstream paddling as the miles pile up. By the time I got to Vermont I felt pretty strong. Feel free to message me anytime should you have any questions. You got this,

@@johnniecanoe1 thanks for the reply John. I actually watched a good portion of your Grand Canyon trip last night as well. Looks like you guys had a blast. Beautiful scenery and aggressive whitewater. I enjoyed watching it. Your NFCT series is really well done. How special to be able to do something like this with your daughter as well. I have two daughters of my own and I have had them on the Allagash and West Branch of the Penobscot. Partial sections for the NFCT as you know. I am encouraged hearing your story and learning about the steps that you had taken to prepare yourself for the biking, hiking and paddling. It gives me hope. I am two weeks removed from the left knee surgery and wasn’t feeling very confident that I would be strong enough to enjoy paddling season. I think some days I push too hard due to my competitive spirit. The right knee is scheduled in February 22nd so after that I hope to really focus on strength building and getting back to enjoying life pain free. The PT is not fun as you know but I am pushing through it. Really enjoy your channel John and I thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. Have a great day John!

Don't get too hung up with the setbacks while recovering. I had them too and they were short lived. I know it can be distressing, but you will get there. Stay focused on the prize. I did have one issue that I wish I had resolved prior to the trip and that was my ankle and kneeling flexibility. Something that I didn't work on and should have. I just didn't have it and thought I could get away with not worrying about it. Don't know how familiar you are with Northstar Solo, that was my boat of choice on the NFCT. It was light and fast, great boat. I couldn't get my my size 12.5 shoes under the seat. I did try raising it but found it to painful to kneel that low. Something to think about. I was a competent cl 3 paddler and swam twice on cl 2's. My center of gravity was a bit to high when sitting and loaded. Since you are a bit laid up at the moment he's an article my local newspaper did on me after the trip. A friend of mine dropped the dime on me to the reporter and asked to to a story on my trip. warwickonline.com/stories/encountering-trail-angels,175211?

@@johnniecanoe1 John, just finished reading the article. Well deserved capture of your trip and clearly a kind friend that also understood that you were deserving of your accomplishment. The axe story is great. Says a lot about the kind of man you are. I already kind of gathered that you were a decent man but this proves it. Remarkable gesture! I am just about ready to pull the trigger on the 13 section maps and was supposed to receive the NFCT Paddlers Companion Book today but it was delayed. Very excited about the possibility of doing the entire NFCT in one shot. I have paddled most of the Maine sections so I am familiar with those with the exception of the Jackman area, Dead River and Spencer stream sections. I understand the foot size issue, I come in at a 13 and it has always been difficult to get the feet under the seat. Haven’t been able to kneel for years. I think college sports did a number on me. I will take your advice though and work on that mobility. There is the obvious benefit to be able to lower your center of gravity. I did however run the St.John River in the seated position but that was in a an OT Tripper. Bomb proof canoe. I will have to consider which canoe I would use or buy to accomplish the NFCT. I really like your NorthStar canoe. Not cheap, but really nice. I have enjoyed talking with you John. Perhaps when my time nears to set out on the NFCT we could exchange phone numbers so that I could really pick your brain. Thanks for all the info and encouragement John. All the best to you and on all your future adventures!

Thank you. I don't leave home anymore without my folding saw and hand pruners.

Awesome! You are going to love it. Get out there and create your own adventure and memories. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. This is where you will find the most special memories.

Thank you.

Sure was. Couldn't think of a better way.

Amen to that.

Thank you very much, Julie. Although we have never met, we do have a common bond. Continue living life to the fullest.

I don't pole, but I sure do enjoy watching people who can.

Got it. Thanks

Good to hear from you Mike. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you. The names are posted on kiosk's or on the buildings.

In the Spring of 2017 I did a trip to the Azores and planned on many hikes and I could do none. It was painful to walk and couldn't ride a bike around a block. In the winter of 2017 and 18 I had both knees done. Not at the same time. I did months of PT and and quickly got my life back. In 2019, I did a self supported bike tour around lake Champlain hauling a bike trailer behind me. In 2022 at 62 yrs old I did The Northern Forest Canoe Trail in 41 days. I can only speak for myself. It was the best thing I could have done. It gave me my life back. I have have video's up of both trips.

The ADKS have a lot to offer if you have never been there. The Saranacs are each different and beautiful in their own way. With that being said I'll take North Maine Woods everytime. I completed the NFCT last spring and traveled through the heart of both. Here's the playlist of the trip if you care to take a look. It's told in story form with a mixture of stills and video. On day 8 I hooked up with a young couple and ended up taking it to the end with them. czcams.com/video/50RtIoXq6NQ/video.html

Good question. Sorry to say I don't have a good answer for you. The best I can do is to tell you that it is in the northeastern quadrant of the island. I wish that the camera at the time (2017) had internal GPS.

@@johnniecanoe1 Thanks, John for your reply. There can't be too many of those mills around any more. I'll ask around since I just moved into that section of the island. Take care!!

Thank you.

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

Google NFCT cheat sheet. Purchase, read, and take with you the Through Paddlers Companion. Study the 13 maps and add notes to them. Read NFCT thru paddler blogs. Buy upload Far out app for NFCT. Download The Windy app. Satellite messenger, I used Zolio.

Thank you very much.

It would be fun to run the Dead with a proper WW canoe. Maybe someday.

I have the book. Thanks for responding. Such a nice post.

Yes, I could have done a better job with that. It was rushed.