Maine

Final Days | Thoreau Journey Photographs

The Final Days of the Thoreau Journey | Thoreau’s Maine: A Photo Story of an Epic Adventure The final days of the journey were paddled under blue skies and warm air. The pressure was off to meet strategic campsites where media was always waiting, and the most strenuous of the carries were behind them. It […]

By Yankee Magazine|Mar 06 2015| Print icon

A group of people in canoes paddling on a calm river surrounded by trees under a clear sky.

As the group moved down the Penobscot’s East Branch, the river got wider and the waters calmer. Often, members paddled together, swapping stories, sharing recent memories of their long journey. “Life was good on the river,” says Francis. “Slow and meaningful and I think we all knew to cherish it as we got closer to the end.”

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
The Final Days of the Thoreau Journey | Thoreau’s Maine: A Photo Story of an Epic Adventure The final days of the journey were paddled under blue skies and warm air. The pressure was off to meet strategic campsites where media was always waiting, and the most strenuous of the carries were behind them. It became a trip that truly would be remembered forever by those who completed it. Photographers Jarrod McCabe and Dom Casserly who professionally call themselves “Little Outdoor Giants” stepped out of their canoe at Indian Island on June 1 and said this had been the best assignment ever.
Jason Pardilla paddles on a sunny day on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. This was one of the group’s first few blue-sky days. While Jason had paddled parts of these waters many times before, this was the first time he did the entire route at once.

Jason Pardilla paddles on a sunny day on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. This was one of the group’s first few blue-sky days. While Jason had paddled parts of these waters many times before, this was the first time he did the entire route at once.

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Jason Pardilla paddles on a sunny day on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. This was one of the group’s first few blue-sky days. While Jason had paddled parts of these waters many times before, this was the first time he did the entire route at once.
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
The group takes in a clear view of Mt. Katahdin. It was the most unobstructed sighting of the famous mountain the group had during the entire trip.

The group takes in a clear view of Mt. Katahdin. It was the most unobstructed sighting of the famous mountain the group had during the entire trip.

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
The group takes in a clear view of Mt. Katahdin. It was the most unobstructed sighting of the famous mountain the group had during the entire trip.
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Part of the trip included portaging around dams and heavy rapids. The work, and it was laborious at times, became routine about halfway through. “We’d stop upriver, carry all our bags and gear through the woods, then return for the canoes,” says photographer Dom Francis. Some days, we did this five times.”

Part of the trip included portaging around dams and heavy rapids. The work, and it was laborious at times, became routine about halfway through. “We’d stop upriver, carry all our bags and gear through the woods, then return for the canoes,” says photographer Dom Francis. Some days, we did this five times.”

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Part of the trip included portaging around dams and heavy rapids. The work, and it was laborious at times, became routine about halfway through. “We’d stop upriver, carry all our bags and gear through the woods, then return for the canoes,” says photographer Dom Francis. Some days, we did this five times.”
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Jason Pardilla’s campsite on Brown Island, a Penobscot Nation Island. Every night of the trip, Pardilla camped in his hammock. He hung his stuff to dry along the lines and ran a tarp overhead to stay dry.

Jason Pardilla’s campsite on Brown Island, a Penobscot Nation Island. Every night of the trip, Pardilla camped in his hammock. He hung his stuff to dry along the lines and ran a tarp overhead to stay dry.

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Jason Pardilla’s campsite on Brown Island, a Penobscot Nation Island. Every night of the trip, Pardilla camped in his hammock. He hung his stuff to dry along the lines and ran a tarp overhead to stay dry.
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Mike Wilson, senior program director at the Northern Forest Center (and chief organizer of the trip), reads The Maine Woods with Thoreau scholar and Bridgewater State College professor John Kucich.

Mike Wilson, senior program director at the Northern Forest Center (and chief organizer of the trip), reads The Maine Woods with Thoreau scholar and Bridgewater State College professor John Kucich.

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Mike Wilson, senior program director at the Northern Forest Center (and chief organizer of the trip), reads The Maine Woods with Thoreau scholar and Bridgewater State College professor John Kucich.
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Mike Wilson warms in the sun in the back of his canoe while guides scout out possible campsites.

Mike Wilson warms in the sun in the back of his canoe while guides scout out possible campsites.

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Mike Wilson warms in the sun in the back of his canoe while guides scout out possible campsites.
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Glen Horne (left) of Coyote Ridge Guide Service and Maine Guide, Beech Richards, and carry their canoe and pack across a field of freshly-mowed grass. Each of the canoes was made by Mahoosuc Guide, Kevin Slater, and all were outfitted with two shoulder pads and a leather strap that ran across the carrier’s forehead. “In one fell maneuver, a single person could hoist a canoe and have it sit upon his shoulders and head,” says photographer Dom Francis. “We could carry those canoes for two miles. No big deal at all.”

Glen Horne (left) of Coyote Ridge Guide Service and Maine Guide, Beech Richards, and carry their canoe and pack across a field of freshly-mowed grass. Each of the canoes was made by Mahoosuc Guide, Kevin Slater, and all were outfitted with two shoulder pads and a leather strap that ran across the carrier’s forehead. “In one fell maneuver, a single person could hoist a canoe and have it sit upon his shoulders and head,” says photographer Dom Francis. “We could carry those canoes for two miles. No big deal at all.”

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Glen Horne (left) of Coyote Ridge Guide Service and Maine Guide, Beech Richards, and carry their canoe and pack across a field of freshly-mowed grass. Each of the canoes was made by Mahoosuc Guide, Kevin Slater, and all were outfitted with two shoulder pads and a leather strap that ran across the carrier’s forehead. “In one fell maneuver, a single person could hoist a canoe and have it sit upon his shoulders and head,” says photographer Dom Francis. “We could carry those canoes for two miles. No big deal at all.”
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
As the group moved down the Penobscot’s East Branch, the river got wider and the waters calmer. Often, members paddled together, swapping stories, sharing recent memories of their long journey. “Life was good on the river,” says Francis. “Slow and meaningful and I think we all knew to cherish it as we got closer to the end.”

As the group moved down the Penobscot’s East Branch, the river got wider and the waters calmer. Often, members paddled together, swapping stories, sharing recent memories of their long journey. “Life was good on the river,” says Francis. “Slow and meaningful and I think we all knew to cherish it as we got closer to the end.”

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
As the group moved down the Penobscot’s East Branch, the river got wider and the waters calmer. Often, members paddled together, swapping stories, sharing recent memories of their long journey. “Life was good on the river,” says Francis. “Slow and meaningful and I think we all knew to cherish it as we got closer to the end.”
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
There were a number of long embraces after the journey concluded. The closing moments of that final paddle included a welcome beat from a band of Penobscot drummers.

There were a number of long embraces after the journey concluded. The closing moments of that final paddle included a welcome beat from a band of Penobscot drummers.

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
There were a number of long embraces after the journey concluded. The closing moments of that final paddle included a welcome beat from a band of Penobscot drummers.
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Eight people made the full journey. They dubbed themselves the “Thoreauic Eight.”

Eight people made the full journey. They dubbed themselves the “Thoreauic Eight.”

Credit: Little Outdoor Giants
Eight people made the full journey. They dubbed themselves the “Thoreauic Eight.”
Credit: Little Outdoor Giants

Thoreau’s Maine: A Photo Story of an Epic Adventure

Last May, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Henry David Thoreau’s classic “The Maine Woods,” Thoreau’s final trip, 325 miles through the heart of Maine’s north woods waterways was recreated. Maine Woods Discovery brought together expert Maine guides, members of the Penobscot Nation, Thoreau scholars, and those hoping to draw attention to the wonders and potential of Maine’s north woods. They were joined by Yankee photographers Jarrod McCabe and Dominic Casserly who make up the talented team Little Outdoor Giants. Our photographers were the only media along for the 16 day expedition, and they captured hundreds of photos. What follows lets you see and feel the trials, tribulations and sheer joy of following in the footsteps of Thoreau and his Penobscot Indian guide Joe Polis.

More Photographs of the Thoreau Journey through Maine

Thoreau Journey Photographs | Moosehead Lake Thoreau Journey Photographs | Mud Pond Carry Thoreau Journey Photographs | Camping Life

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