[Paddlewise] Commitment and Open Crossi

>>
Chuck Holst recently recommended Bill Taylor's book Commitment and Open
Crossings. While the actual trip that Bill and his two companions   undertook
was very impressive, I actually found this book to be one of the most
tedious 'got up - had breakfast - heroically paddled - ate dinner - slept    -
got up - had breakfast - heroically paddled etc etc etc' monologues that   I
have had the misfortune to read. After the incredibly depressing ending
where Bill rues the fact that the paddling community didn't dish out the
quantity of praise that he felt he deserved, I got the impression that   the
participants were in it for the glory and not the paddling, and had had
about as much pleasure out of the fantastic coastline they paddled as I   did
reading their story - ie not a lot.
>>

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My recollection of the book is that it wasn't lack of praise that Taylor
rued at the end, but the failure of one of the goals of the trip, which
was to raise money for a favorite charity. It was not lack of attention
from the paddling community, but lack of attention from the general   public
that had the greatest effect. I agree about the tediousness of the
narrative, but I think it probably accurately reflects the tediousness of   
their trip. And Taylor does comment on the scenery quite a bit, though   not
at length, as well as the kindness of the many people they met. I think
most of the letdown at the end can be attributed to his reentry into the
modern world after three months of an elementary lifestyle with a simple
focus. I once had a roommate who had a similar feeling of anomie after a
year in the Peace Corps in Africa.

The main reason I recommended both books is because they make it very
plain just how much the tides, winds, and shoreline can affect an
expedition. For an inland paddler like myself, it was, if not quite a
revelation, then at least a graphic reminder of their importance.

Chuck Holst  
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