When I was eighteen, I started working in Quetico Provincial Park as a canoe ranger. I was introduced to a whole new world of magical sunsets, loon calls, blackflies and the power of sunshine sparkling off the ripples on a lake. I worked in the interior on the canoe routes. Ten-day canoe trips clearing portages for five months. It snowed on the tent every month except July. But I was in love.
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| Paddling with my Elkhound, Tundra |
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| putting in cordoroy |
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| One of the more interesting portages in the Park |
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| enjoying a sunset |
I ended up working in the park until I was thirty. Twelve years paddling the interior. Roughly 860 nights spent in the tent. I've been to every lake in the Park. I grew up there. It shaped who I am today.
I now work on a bigger lake (Huron) and graduated to a bigger boat, but I still yearn for the Park each spring.
My first two books have been about dogsledding. Which, of course, is another of my passions. But, I think my next project will be about a canoe ranger.
What are your passions? Are you writing about them?
26 comments:
It's so important to tap into passion! You've got a great one for a writer: outdoor adventure. My true passion is books and libraries. Not quite so obvious how to get a plot out of that. :)
"my parched soul soaked it up" Wow, you are a writer. I think that adventure book might be your best ever. If it has any of the passion you expressed in this post today, you will be huge success.
Okay, I'm supposed to be on a blog break so don't tell anyone you saw me here.
I think my passion has always been reading, books, and words. So I guess that is good. People! I love to study people and the quirky things they do.
Your passion is so much more picturesque. And I'm drawn to the excitement.
I think my passion is where I live, too.I write about living in Appalachia. Both of my longer manuscripts took place in Appalachia in the past.
Wow this is amazing I love all the photos and what a job!!! I wouldn't be able to do it but how neat!
My passion is writing and creating new worlds so yes I would say I am fulfilling them!!!
I'm living vicariously through your adventures. More, more, more!
Beautiful pictures--did you ever keep a journal during these years?
Love the idea as the career in your next book. You are such a role model for girls and boys everywhere. We taught career education among the courses in lower grades, I sure wish I knew you then.
Your passion for the outdoors is obvious - lovely photos you have, as always.
I have several things I'm "passionate" about, and they do have a habit of sneaking into my writing. I love good food & cooking...and my current novel has plenty of that included. :-)
Living in the city all my life, I do enjoy your blog. And the passion that flows through. Thanks for the post!
My passions are kids and books - so I guess I'm on the right track. :-)
Wow, those pictures are beautiful. As are you. Whta a great way to discuss passion.
I think the things we're passionate about become part of us. So no matter what we're doing, writing, whatever, it'll come out.
Oh--WOW. Love those pics. Especially the sunset one!
I stumbled into a summer job at Glacier National Park while in college. I didn't go back every summer until I was 30, though it would have been easy to do.
Sometimes, a place just snags one's soul like a dream catcher and there's nothing we can do about it--even if we wanted to.
I hope you get a chance to take a canoe back to your first love.
Malcolm
To date - I've lived in 4 different countries as one of my passions is travel. I am fascinated about other cultures, traditions and world views. My stories are always based on kids and places I have known and visited personally.
That's why my characters are REALLY also my friends...
Oh. My. Those are stunning photographs, and how extraordinary your life has been so far. I have no doubt you're going to keep those passions burning.
I'm so glad you stopped by my blog so that I came on over here. I've really enjoyed reading your posts, and I loved the opening of Ice Dogs.
Your pictures are gorgeous. It would be so cool to be able to see that daily. I love fantasy for kids so that's what I write.
Gorgeous pictures, and hooray for you for living your passions...dogsledding, canoe rangering (is that a word?), and writing! I feel really lucky to get to live my passion - writing - too.
That looks so idyllic. I'd love to read a book about a canoe ranger--it's so unique.
I don't think I really write about my passions. I think the stories are my passion if that makes sense. I don't have any other hobbies that I feel as strongly about as writing. But I guess I do put a lot of music into my books, so maybe that counts?
Beautiful pictures! I would love to read a book about your ranger experiences. NPs are one of my biggest loves.
Looks absolutely amazing.
What an incredible opportunity!
What a beautiful and inspiring post! A book about a Canoe Ranger, I'd read that!
So far my stories have been inspired from my passions of wilderness, kids rights, and family relationships.
I'm muddling thru the beginning stage of a new story which hasn't clicked yet. But today, thanks to you, I'm gonna impose that passion question onto my story idea and see what comes up. Thanks!
Wow. If I could handle the cold that would be awesome. My passion is writing. So in a sense I enjoy my passion every day, but I don't actually write about it. I would love to read a book about a teenage canoe ranger. I think it would inspire young adults everywhere to experience nature.
Love the pictures, that park is beautiful. I like the passion you have for life. A book about a canoe ranger sounds intriguing. Hope you write it.
Your posts are so enjoyable. I have an award waiting for you on my blog.
What an experience! Your life sounds incredible...I can't wait to read all about it in your books!
Wonderful post, Terry! Did you see any of my posts about Stephen Swinburne? He writes children's books. He was a park ranger before he started writing.
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