Follow me as I embark on adventures across New England canoeing, kayaking, mountain, fat, and gravel biking, hiking and traveling in my Roadtrek van. I'm getting old, I'm a bit overweight, but I find some of the coolest spots in New England.
Instagram: OldManofNewEngland
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What a Amazing Adventure.. Cross NH is on my soon to do Adventure.. You couldn't asked for better weather..
why no one is falling out? I don't understand. No one is holding with their hands and they're sitting on the edge and not really experienced. Does it look more difficult than it is?
What song plays during the intro?
Catchy isn’t it? It’s something from Apple iMovie.
😢when Wenonah's first came out, I tested several. I settled on the Sundowner, and I was never disappointed. I put Kevlar pads on both ends, mainly because my son and I did extensive BWCA canoe trips. From family weekends on the St.Croix river, to the wilds of Canada, it has held up well. I chose the tractor seats with the front being a slider, and aluminum gun'lls. For durabablity sake...that also paid off. After all these years (I'm now 72), I passed it onto my son and his family. In 1982 I bought my second Sundowner before tgey discontinued the model. That went to my daughter and her family. I bought in 84 a Old Town Northern Light kevlar solo, which became my "pick up truck" for wilderness hunting, because of the amount of weight it could handle, and still be light and manuverable. I still have it also. I bought 4 Bell Magic kevlar solos, for family solo weekend trips....and all are in my families possesion, and in great shape ... and still regulary used..... I remember being laughed at for buying my first "potatochip" canoe. But the laughs on them now after all these years. I live next to the Canadian border, and next to the BWCA, and the kevlar canoes are now the normal choice of trippers. I have 2 aluminum 18's I keep at my lake landing for visitors and their kids to use.... the best thing I ever did for my kids and grandkids, was to get them out on the water canoeing, fishing, snowshoing, skiing, dog sledding and do on. As I age, I smile and watch more than go out myself (health). Was ut expensive to buy all the gear? Yep! But the investment lives on. Peace to you all from the border lakes country.......
What a great story. Thanks for sharing it. I’ll see you on the water!!
Thanks for the inspiring tour! Such a versatile van, looks great.
wait, didnt agent schrader died in breaking bad? hmm what do you know he bought a van and goes finishing ... breaking bad lies
Shhhh. Don’t let the secret out! 😂
I snowmachine on that exact rail trail from woodsville to Littleton. AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR SHOUTING OUT THE REGISTRATION FEES THAT HELP KEEP THE TRAIL 🤘
Thanks mate! It’s the cross disciplines that make all of this work!!
Price?
Just now buying 2006 4x4 like yours in Alaska. Your tips are very helpful for my adventures up here.
Very exciting! I’m glad I could be of help.
Buying a 2006 4x4 Popular this June for road trips around Alaska & possibly lower 48 in the fall & winter.
Good video of some of the notable transitions on this trip; it's an excellent one for novice canoe-campers with the exception of the potential for sometimes significant wind on the 'ponds'. Did this last month, Monday/Tuesday before Memorial weekend, first time for a spring visit after at least 2 (maybe three?) previous all in late fall. As another poster mentioned, almost empty of other people, almost zero mosquitos and black flies out but not biting; water was high enough that the outflows on the ponds weren't particularly bony. Glorious weather and conditions. For reference, in a 60ish# Mad River canoe, solo paddler and gear, I ran all the river rips without issue; no additional carries required beyond the two mandatory ones. Scouting is a good idea and easy to do, from the water above the ledges at Mosquito/Camel/Spenser, and walking around to plan the Attean sections. All of my trips have been in two days, with early starts and steady paddling. As a caution, both the last two have involved crossing Attean with serious gusting wind, once on the first day with a constant headwind getting from the launch to the portage between the ponds and this May crossing back from the Moose to the outflow and take-out with a mixed headwind and beam wind/chop that might make some parties decide to bivy for the afternoon and finish the next morning. Highly enjoyable.
So you parked between wood pond and attean lake on the moose river?
Yes. Just before the gated road. The water was high so we could easily paddle into the pond from the river. I believe it can get quite low and boney.
Some of the best off trail snowmobiling in Maine is around the Moose River Bow
I bet it is!
You have a 21' roadtrek you have even more room for adding more LiFePO4 batteries, a bigger converter that is compatible with them and larger gauge wires to the batteries and your new 45 or 60 amps converter. Then you can use a nice pure sine inverter all night and you could look at a dc to dc charger to charge it while you're driving.
Good tip!
Crab Apple > Zoar. No contest. <3
Wonderful adventures.
I think the late great Peter Calvert ( passed away a few years ago) was a great man and waterman . He used to run mass whitewater in open canoes 🛶.
We have had the Minnesota 2 for several years and your review is spot on. I keep ours stored outside on wood horses with a Red leaf designs cover and it still looks great. I would add that it is narrow with a rounded bottom that gives it a “tippy” feel initially, but it has good secondary stability. It is fast! I have a great Old Town canoe from the ‘70s, but often didn’t want to load it due to the 80 or so pound weight. The 42 pound Minn. 2 is a breeze to load and portage.
Thumbs up on the thermocell, I also made a screen room for my awning, don't use it often but in no-seeum places its a lifesaver.
Cast Iron pan: I have 2 sizes, cook almost all of my meals in them, including toast. Only problem is when I forget to put them away and they get flung onto my custom inlaid teak floor and put big dings in it.
Inverter for USB charging? WTF why would you turn 12v dc, into 120 ac, to turn it into 5v dc? Just put 12v to 5v usb jacks in, no load except the actual thing you are chargeing. And get some solar, first and best mod I did to my 190 popular.
Ahhhh. Time and money!
Awning handel, I cut mine down to the length of the door pocket in the side door. I don't even need to go inside to get it just open the door and its right there.
Nice video. Is it comfortable without a backrest support? In my experience with paddling on kayak, if the backrest is not good it strenuous to the back.
I don’t use canoes with backrest support. Very comfortable for me, but I suspect anyone with back discomfort would have some pain on a traditional canoe seat.
Thanks for all the great tips! Couple questions... How does the 4x4 do on gas millage? Is it selectable or full-time? Lastly, I'm curious to know how many miles your van had when you purchased it and how many miles you've driven since owning. Thanks much!
I hope it was helpful, Richard. The 4x4 is real 4x4 with 4 Hi and Low. There’s a dedicated shifter in the cab. Overall mileage is only 14-15 mpg. Lower when using 4wd. We got it about 5 years ago with 60k. Up to 90k now. We’re in Western Maine now dry camping for the eclipse. Video coming out soon.
This trip is on our canoe trip bucket list. Thanks for sharing! Great video.
Thank you, Sally. Wonderful trip. You’ll love it!
Hello from Cape Breton. We also have a Versatile, but ours is a 1994 Dodge, and sadly not a 4x4. I enjoyed the walk through, it’s always nice to see the differences in the makes and models.
Hello Cape Breton!
Great video, do you have any issues with interior leaking when it rains?
I see some stains, but haven’t experienced any since I bought this 5 years ago.
Been looking for a 4x4 190V let me know if you ever want to sell it thx
The 4x4 is real helpful especially in New England. I understand why you’re looking for one!
Dreaming of warner weather. THank you!
It’s good to keep this in your mind, isn’t it? Days are longer. The warmth is coming soon!
I noticed your bikes in the back doesn’t it make you RV a little bit too long that you can’t park in small parking areas on the street.
The rack certainly makes it longer. Shorter than a trailer or Class C, though! 😊
And another question my road track is 2007 210 ,when I first got it just a year ago I took it to a garage because I couldn’t figure out why the steering was so loose. Do you know why and does yours do the same thing
My steering is okay, Karen.
I wanna ask you a question I have a road track also and I’m 70 years old and that tire in the back on the door , it’s a pain ,like you said it hard to get in the back doors that tire is so heavy for me to put down. Do you think it’s possible to put a swing arm get it welded somehow on the side so it’ll be easier for me to swing it out instead of putting it down did you ever see it done that way?
I’ve seen people put a swing arm on, and I’ve also heard of a retrofit with springs to make the existing carrier easier to lift. Not sure who makes it, though, unfortunately.
Hello, new to your journey. How do you manage your water system in freezing temperatures? Does it not freeze? Thx, and keep up the great work…happy trails
Hi Alan - My tanks and lines are winterized from October through the beginning of April. I carry water in a big jug and use a swag bag in the toilet. It works out great. You can see a bit more on this in my Tips, Tricks and Hacks video here kzread.info/dash/bejne/rJqNydamn7u2hLg.htmlsi=0rjncW2q-dJixYGh. Thanks for watching !
Looking to purchase a 2007 Roadtrek Popular. Bet you don't expect a comment like this! I saw how you prepared your meal and it really showed me how I can cook in the van. It would be helpful if I saw how, after planning the meals for a few days, how others packed food and stored the food.
Hi Susan - good luck on your quest to find a Roadtrek. Great vehicle and lots of fun. I store all of my food in the fridge and the cabinet behind the driver’s seat. Easy peasy!
Amazing work on this video, you captured the whole trip perfectly! I completed the loop the weekend before Memorial Day. No bugs, no people, and high water. Definitely the best time to go. That initial portage is no joke, definitely feels closer to 2mi that’s for sure! Can’t believe you guys made 2 trips 😂 I’d have turned around hahaha
Right before Memorial Day and no black flies? Awesome!! Glad you enjoyed the video. It’s always fun to go back through a trip with video. The worst part of that first portage was the soaked, twisted bog bridges. Yikes! Keep paddling!
Thanks for Very Useful Hacks. Just got a 2013 Roadtrek. Coming from a Class C life, so realize adapting will take some time but not having to tow a car is worth it. Your hacks will help!
I’m so glad you found this useful, Vicki. Congratulations on your new Roadtrek! You’re going to love it!
Road was most likely closed due to all of the rain. Dirt roads and heavy traffic and heavy rain don’t mix well.
Great video. I’ve been thinking about doing this trip by kayak, after watching this video it seems like it would be doable. What month did you do your trip?
Hi Johnnyat - we did this the last week of July in an unusually high water year. Conditions were more like spring conditions. The 1.4 mile portage will be a beast with a kayak as you’ll have to carry. Do to all of the log bridges you won’t be able to use wheels. Certainly doable, though. There’s another video of the moose and the guy does it in a kayak in two days. Worth the trip!!
What kind of gas mileage with the 4x4 Roadtrek?
Hey Dan - it gets about 13-14MPG. It’s less with the 4wd engaged, but I’ve never calculated it.
What a nice adventure.
Larry has us comfortably pinned in Labyrinth @ 8:00. sensei
Nice! Love the room!
I'm told you can do this trip in 2 or 3 days . I recommend you take your time and enjoy the place! You're on vacation after all!
this is a great trip! It's accessible. Pretty easy. There is a 1.2 mile portage but it's not too bad. I recommend going during the week because it is a popular trip! I will do this one again!
we did get windbound at Holeb pond. It was a nice place to spend the day.
I bought the wide heavy duty EZ CART and the wheels were no problem at all to put on. Maybe Sea Eagle has better quality control now.
Hi I loved your videos! I saw in an other video you replaced your generator is it possible to replace them to run on gas instead of the propane which they normally come with?
Thanks, David! This generator and my new one always ran off the gas tank which I love. Never have to worry about it as long as the tank is over 1/4 full. By the way, the new one is WAY quieter and I find myself using it all the time now. Crazy expensive though!
Live in Florida that snow is beautiful but you are tougher than I am. I have an 07 Roadtrek does the generator have to be on to run the furnace?
Hi David - all you need is 12v battery power to run the furnace. I get a couple of days on my two batteries without recharging. Thanks for watching!
Wish you would have shown the bag for dry toilet up close .. or entire name of product. :) Great video .. Thanks for sharing. I have an older model 2001 Chevy 200 Versatile
It’s the Cleanwaste Original Wag Bag Go Anywhere.
Just a hint , propane will rust your van from the inside and ruin all electrical inside your dash
I think I'm definitely gonna do this trip. I bought a 14' hornbeck NT , its a solo pack boat made in the Adirondacks , I picked it up this past June. I did the debsconeag wilderness canoe loop the first week of July. it was a learning experience for me. I brought way too much gear, and I had never portaged or wilderness camped before, and I did it solo. but it was worth it. I did scratch up my new boat on the final leg down the west branch of Penobscot River , I made a mistake and had to run some serious rapids-a lot of water anyway, but I didn't dump my boat and my outfit. moose river looks awesome. I need to find a partner, not many are willing , I've asked most people I know. if I have to it will be solo again , may be this fall. otherwise I've just been paddling near by where I live, salt water as well as fresh . question; what size is that canoe? it looks huge! 17'? thx for sharing !
Hi Andrew, I'm familiar with the Hornbeck but have never paddled one. It's the perfect solo boat for the Adirondacks and anyplace where portaging is a big part of the trip. Paddling it down the west branch of the Penobscot...wow! As you could tell from this video, my days of paddling any kind of whitewater in an open boat are behind me. If you're looking for paddling partners, I'd recommend joining the AMC and taking part in some of the paddling trips to get to know some of the like-minded people in your area. I've been so fortunate to have close friends willing to sleep with the bugs and paddle the back country. Enjoy your boat and thanks for watching!
I did this in a solo Madriver canoe and my buddy had a 14' Hornbeck. we had a great time!
I'm planning on doing the Debsconeag loop in late May solo. How long did it take you? I've done the Moose River twice. I'm going to try to do it again this year, probably in June.
hi, I did the debsconeag loop in 3 days. I wish I took 4 or 5. for some reason I did not stay at 2nd Debs lake, I wish I did. there's trails to hike up to other ponds from there, there's actually a water fall right in the campsite, the 2nd campsite if you cross the lake quickly after the portage. there's a campsite on 2nd Debs directly at the end of the portage also. I would say, 1st night on pemadumcook, 2nd night at 3rd Debs, 3rd night at 2nd Debs , 4th night at 3rd debs-which has spectacular sandy beach campsites! then 5th morning into west branch. I just missed a portage by mistake and had to bomb through a drop, it was quick and I didn't dump it, but almost soiled my shorts, hahaha! cheers !