Posted by
Isaac on Jul 8, 2013 in
Blog,
Featured |
4 comments
Well, thanks to the photographs of a number of friends as we left the Yellow River Post (Ric and Berit, Kiri, Jim, etc.) and to a stash camera of Mike K.’s that came out a couple times to document parts of the trip; I have some fun photos to share here.
Also, I have been re-reading a number of journals from this area since returning and am now feeling better about or quitting early due to mishaps and misfortunes. My 15 foot dilapidated canoe was certainly not up to the task and is similar to the canoe that “Smith” had on his trip to the Yellow River Post in 1803 (in Curot’s journal). Also, the rivers are/were a bit more treacherous than anticipated. The rapids of the Yellow are commonly mentioned and the time and difficulty of these rivers was mentioned in a few journals. The Snake was especially bad (as it is today). Sayer mentions the men making it only about 3 mi. a day on there journey up the Snake.
Anyway, anyone with questions or comments, feel free to let me know. Otherwise, enjoy the photos…
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The important stuff… food for the trip, -bark box of tea and sugar – fawnskin of wild rice and lyed-corn – bag of ship’s bread – taureau (buffalo rawhide container) of pemmican (dried, pulverized buffalo meat and fat) – bottle of rum – keg of spirits
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overseeing the packing
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packing up the provisions
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marks to identify if found drowned
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locking the cassette for the journey
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a pensive smoke before we begin
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putting in the canoe
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loading the canoe
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embarking
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a quick moment and thought
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and we are off
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100 yds and bailing already
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off again
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I final looking back as we depart
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Gene and Mike portaging the canoe
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a stop to adjust the moccasin
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Portaging using a collier a portage/tumpline
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Mike and me portaging
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The canoe parked at the “High Banks” of the mouth of the Tamarack (where it enters the St. Croix). There is normally a steep bank and a ways to get up here… we paddled into the meadow
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The “Three Bad Dogs”
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Mike having a celebratory drink
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My drink… enjoy it!
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Putting pemmican in the Rubaboo (aaboo)
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Camp in the meadow
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More pitching… a common theme
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Finished aaboo with some Ship’s Bread/Biscuits soaking (baked by Jeff Pavlik… thanks!)
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Back at the Post looking for my pipe
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Allumez!
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Caught in the trading house smoking
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Gene scribbling
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Gambling away our time
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more gambling
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Final departure and photo… the “Bad Dogs”
Very nice pictures, sure that you had a GREAT time paddling the river,
Great pictures! I have been scouring the web looking for examples of the head scarves worn in the “cleaning” lady fashion documented during the period and save for a scant few artist documentation I came up wanting. These photos will be an awesome resource in developing my persona. Looks like you guys had a great time
I’m also curious about the tattoos you reference as being identifying marks if found drowned.
Could you provide any more information or direction where to find such information documenting it?
Tattoos themselves were not solely intended to be used as such, but as identifiable marks, could be one of many things used to determine identification. Tattoos, like those in the various photos, were very common among canadien canoemen. Our friends thought the photo idea was funny, especially with their concerns of the high and fast moving water (and concerns over my old canoe and its ability to carry all of us). There is a slideshow and notes in the research page of my website here that has a lot on tattoos in the fur trade.