Can You Canoe?
by Skyla Hamilton
For a full-fledged multiple day canoeing
adventure, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is the
crèeme de la crèeme of the Northeast. Living in the St.
John Valley, we are so lucky to have this natural scenic
waterway practically in our backyard. Living here in the
Crown of Maine, one must complete this expedition in
one’s lifetime to consider one’s self a true vested Mainer.
I have traveled on rivers near and far: from
seventeen days down the Colorado River through the
Grand Canyon, twenty-one days down the Green River
through the Canyonlands National Park, in Utah, four
days down the Chilkat River in Alaska; whereas I can
honestly say, I have not yet ventured down the Allagash
Wilderness Waterway.
own distinct personality. Some can be pushy and rough,
whereas others can be pristine and calm. However, each
and everytime I head out on a river in Maine nothing
beats it! The water is so pure and so clean, even in the
areas that were once plagued with effluent and dyes from
past industry have now returned to their natural beauty.
Even the local wildlife, such as the osprey, the salmon,
and the eagles have returned to their natural habitats of
yesteryear. Currently, an eagle has established a nest on