Documentary filmmakers find 1895 steamship wreck in Lake Huron

Plus: A new book by Adam Shoalts, spotlight on McCallum, N.L. and more!

View this email in your browser IN THIS EMAIL Documentary filmmakers find 1895 steamship wreck in Lake Huron An excerpt from explorer Adam Shoalts' new book, about his 3,400-kilometre solo journey from Long Point on Lake Erie to Ungava Bay on the Arctic coast The story of McCallum, N.L., an outport community caught between staying and going Discover karibu adventures, Canada's newest and coolest nature and people-positive adventure travel company Documentary filmmakers find 1895 steamship wreck in Lake Huron Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick set out to make a documentary about invasive quagga mussels in the Great Lakes. Along the way, they found the wreck of what is likely the steamship Africa, last seen on a stormy October night in 1895. By Christina Frangou A view of a steamship wreck — likely the Africa— in Lake Huron. The wreck is well-preserved but covered in invasive quagga mussels. (Photo: Inspired Planet Productions) On a Saturday afternoon in June 2023, Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick set out on their boat from a launch near their home in Larsen Cove, Ont., a tiny community on the shore of Lake Huron. They were joined by two friends and a dog. The group had planned a casual day on the water, catching up and checking out an unusual bump on the lake's bottom. Drebert and Melnick, a married pair of documentary filmmakers, were working on a film about quagga mussels in the Great Lakes. A source at the United States Geological Survey had told them that scientists had recently spotted a mound on the otherwise flat bottom of Lake Huron. Everyone on board figured the anomaly was probably rocks, but they were curious all the same. Keep reading Excerpt from Where the Falcon Flies: A 3,400 km Odyssey from Lake Erie to the Arctic Westaway Explorer-in-Residence Adam Shoalts shares a portion of his story from his 3,400-kilometre solo journey from Long Point on Lake Erie to Ungava Bay on the Arctic coast By Adam Shoalts Adam Shoalts pushing his canoe past Niagara Falls. (Photo: Adam Shoalts) I woke before dawn, tense with anticipation. My plan was to paddle across the river in the dark, land on the Canadian shore, and then, using the aluminum cart, push my canoe past the falls and whirlpool rapids before most tourists were astir. I didn't want to attract attention to myself if I could avoid it, as that would cause delays. With the aid of a flashlight I dismantled my tent, then climbed through the woods and brambles back to the water's edge. Once the canoe was packed I shoved off into the dark, paddling hard to overcome the current sucking me in the falls' direction. It was a little nerve-racking, but I had excellent motivation not to allow myself to drift downstream. My fast strokes drove the canoe back across the river. It was still dark when I neared the mainland, but instead of landing I pivoted the canoe. It seemed safe to go just a bit farther, which would shorten the lengthy portage. Keep reading We want to hear from YOU! We value your feedback at Canadian Geographic and want to know what you think of our content. Let us know which stories resonated with you by sending us a note at editor@canadiangeographic.ca McCallum, N.L., an outport community caught between staying and going First settled in the 18th century, McCallum is home to just 45 people and only accessible by boat on the southern coast of Newfoundland By Monica Kidd The community of McCallum is accessible only by boat or helicopter. (Photo: Monica Kidd) On the counter of Fudge's Store on the McCallum waterfront sits one beauty of a scale. It's high-gloss white with a little rust around the edge of the pan. Over the years, it's become more than a mere official instrument of Canada's weights and measures. A smile peeks from behind Michelle Durnford's mask as she describes how people used to bring babies to the store to weigh them. She was one of them. On the wall of the store is a photo of her little toddler self sitting beside the Dayton Money Weight, a grin on the face of her father, Howard Fudge, the scale's (and store's) original owner. Brenda Nash, Durnford's older sister, nods in agreement. "Some people would bring their babies in every month." Perhaps not exactly by the books, but such is life in McCallum, a community accessible only by boat and home to just 45 people, according to the 2021 census. Keep reading karibu adventures karibu adventures is Canada's newest and coolest nature and people-positive adventure travel company. Our mission is to share the beauty of the world's most spectacular wild places and hidden gems and help keep them that way through responsible and inclusive travel. Our trips are carefully crafted and personally vetted, digging below the surface to bring authentic experiences and real connections. We prioritize local and Indigenous partners, specializing in high-quality, immersive trips that celebrate what makes life truly awesome. karibu currently offers four active, small group tours: Hiking the Alta Valsesia in the Italian Alps, Kayaking and Indigenous Exploration on the Wild, Sublime North Coast of Vancouver Island, Rainforest Hiking, Diving and Kayaking in Exotic Dominica, and Canoeing the Paddling Mecca of Temagami Ontario.  Our trips are curated for small groups of 6-12 travellers, and are only available at optimal travel times. 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