State rivers, like the Nantahala, Lumber, and the Waccamaw, provide wilderness canoe campers the opportunity for close contact with nature, or what Henry Thoreau called \"the perfection of travelling.\"
Between 1874 and 1875, Nathaniel Bishop sailed 2,500 miles in nine months, from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico. Locally, in his fifty-six pound paper canoe, he paddled by the Outer Banks and Onslow Bay, then down the Waccamaw River.
Paddlers have a wide choice of mountain rivers, Piedmont streams, and Coastal Plains backswamps when planning a canoe trip. Among them are the South Fork of the New River, Deep River, and the Roanoke River and its swamps.
Between 1874 and 1875, Nathaniel Bishop sailed 2,500 miles in nine months, from the St. Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico, in a 58-pound paper canoe he called Maria Theresa. As he sailed down the Outer Banks, barely ten years after the end of the Civil War, he chronicled the life of the people there.
For many, canoeing or kayaking can be another way to view spectacular autumn vistas. Manuel describes four places to paddle and view: New River, Lake Jocassee, Merchant's Millpond, and Bear Island.
Sam Toler recounts the first leg of a canoeing journey down Swift Creek and the adventures that ensued on his trip. From beavers to abandoned Weldon’s Mill the trip is recounted.
Sam Toler depicts the third leg of his canoe journey down Swift Creek. He tells of the wildlife, the swampy areas, and the abandoned mills along the way.
Sam Toler recounts the canoe run he made in 12 degree weather with ice on the river and several layers of clothes on. Nevertheless he still saw wildlife and the old stone dam which had once belonged to Collins Grist Mill.
Same Toler depicts a canoe trip down a stretch of Swift Creek. During the trip he witnessed any number of wildlife species and encountered a station that collects stream flow data for the U.S.
Geological Survey.
Sam Toler relates the story of part 7 of his journey down Swift Creek. From the heat to the swampy nature of this particular section, the struggles are all relayed in detail.
Sam Toler recounts the final leg of his journey down Swift Creek. From the wildlife observed, to the only encounter with other people on the river during the entirety of the journey, Toler creates a visual of what Swift Creek is like.