And now for something completely different: vagabonding in period costume.

This past summer a local news item caught my eye, about a group of men who caused a media stir when they arrived in downtown Ottawa by birch-bark canoe, dressed in nineteenth-century voyageur costume. The voyageurs (literally, “travelers”) were the men who crewed the canoes that pushed deeper and deeper into the wilderness of present-day Ontario and Quebec, through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, in search of furs. Today they are folk heroes, particularly in French-speaking parts of Canada, for their endurance and courage in the face of a hideous climate, dangerous wilderness, and working conditions that would be considered a crime against humanity today.

I was curious about the historical re-enactors that were pictured in the story, and did some checking up on the team leader, Bob Abrames. As it turns out, Abrames is a motivational speaker and voyageur enthusiast who has completed three major expeditions to date, each one lasting months and (with the exception of a few safety requirements) completed using only authentic nineteenth-century canoes, equipment, clothing, and food supplies – think salt pork, lard, and dried peas. His first expedition, in 2005, covered 2,500 kilometers, from Montreal to Winnipeg. Talk about slow travel, right?

Abrames is looking for volunteers to join him for his summer 2008 expedition. He’s considering either a route from James Bay to Fort Timiskaming, or from Ottawa to Indianapolis. There is no fee to come along, and you can join for the duration or for a shorter stint. Abrames handles the costs for the canoes, food, and other shared supplies. There are, however, fitness requirements to be met, and each voyageur is responsible for putting together their own authentic costume.

Interested in picking up a paddle and channeling your inner pioneer? For more information, check out Bob Abrames’ website.