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Wildlife Connections - return to sitemap
This area of gervis.net is a tribute to my friend the author and wilderness guide Harry Drabik, who exposed me to the spirit of canoe camping in one of the rarest wildlife reservations of America.
Meeting Harry Drabik was more than coincidence. Harry Drabik once wrote us a letter to show his appreciation for
the tape 'Music for awhile' by one of the soloists of the
Roden Boys Choir. In his letters Harry shared with us his great understanding of
the wonders of nature. Soon I started to read his books and decided that one day I wanted to go to this wilderness
area in the Northern part of Minnesota. In the Summer of 1996 Harry invited us for a three weeks vacation in his
real Log Cabin on the Lake Superior shore.
On that vacation Harry guided us on a canoe trip near Pigeon River in the border area between Minnesota and Canada. The area is recognized as an exceptional example of lakeland wilderness. Wilderness may be defined here as an area "where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is visitor who does not remain."
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Only a restricted number of people are allowed in the BWCAW at the same time. We were very fortunate that Harry got us an approved visitors permit to stay in the required permit areas.
When I told a resident of the nearby town of Grand Marais that Harry was taking us to the Boundary Waters he envied us assuring that we were accompanied by one of the best guides of the region.
The solitude of Minnesota Wilderness Waters is sought after and experienced by lovers of nature from all over the world. Tranquil waters, moose, inspirational sunsets. These are but tree of the extraordinary experiences that awaited us.
How could one forget that moment Peddling in Irish Creek when we came this close to the largest of the deer taking
his bath, while Harry instructed us how to move the canoe quietly forward
The peace, tranquility and beauty of a campsite in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness cannot be described. It must be experienced
Pigeon River Expeditions
In 1974 Drabik's idea for Pigeon River Expeditions was born and Harry eventually became the first private Outfitter-Guide
for Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
(BWCAW).
As an authentic educator Harry's teaching methods contributed to the formation of a unique wilderness program and ethic. Ignorant I took Harry Drabik a book on the technical issues of Outward Bound Training. Now that I know Harry better I doubt that he liked the methods described. And having read Harry's own books I can understand why.
To my pleasure Harry announced recently that he is continuing his guiding career. So if you intend to organize an outdoor team training in an authentic wilderness environment do get in touch. The canoeing equipment, shelter, food and necessary preparations will be taken care of. All that one really needs to take for luggage is the appropriate clothing, a readiness to learn and a good sense of humour. Like we were fortunate to be on a canoe trip with this veteran wilderness Guide and author, I hope that many will experience what Wilderness Canoeing is really about, according the philosophy of Harry Drabik.
Yes Harry, it is like one of your relatives once said: "you are one of a kind....". How could we ever forget your story telling when you told us all about Naniboujou dancing with her eyes closed and that evening when we went looking for Moose. Paddling with you in the BWCAW was indeed a lifetime experience.
or contact: Gerrit Visser Email: gervis@lycosmail.com
Meet the guide of Pigeon River Expeditions and discover the hidden treasures of wildlife!
To us as the Future Voyageurs Drabik signed : "Like a canoe facing open water, the heart recognizes its
destination, a spot along the horizon where a campfire will beckon, home-like and warm" Harry wrote inThe
Spirit of Canoe Camping: "This book holds most of what I know of wilderness canoeing. The secret is simplicity,
and simplicity is the joy"
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29 mrt 2001