Adam Shoalts | Where the Falcon Flies
Reviewed by: Jane EdwardsTake a modern-day explorer, a Nova Craft canoe and the sighting of a peregrine falcon and what you get is the start of 3400 kilometre adventure journey to the Arctic Ocean in search of the nesting cliffs of the falcon.
One spring morning, from his home near Long Point on the shores of Lake Erie, Adam Shoalts spied a peregrine falcon flying overhead. The graceful bird was on its spring migration to its nesting site on the steep cliffs of the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador. Adam was fascinated by the spectacle of a Southern Ontario bird heading thousands of miles north to its breeding locale. The metaphorical link between those of us living in Canada’s south to the Canadian arctic, in spite of the distance between the two, was striking.
This raptor sighting was the spark of an idea. “Why not get out my canoe, grab my back pack and follow the falcon all the way to the Arctic?” The result of this was a 3400 km journey and the telling of Shoalts’ story, Where the Falcon Flies.
Shoalts chronicles his four month long adventure in detail, describing the terrain, wildlife observations and ecosystems he travels through. He shares his knowledge of Canada’s history as he paddles through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The reader imagines the dangers as he describes hair-raising near misses with freighters on the St. Lawrence and massive boulders in the whitewater rapids on the St. George River. He tells of his frequent of lack of food and fresh water but also of the generosity of strangers he encounters who offered food and aid. His story is told in fascinating detail and humour.
I followed his journey on Google Maps, zeroing in on the rivers, lakes and landmarks mentioned plus the paths of the rivers he paddled. I was mentally with him on his trip and so grateful to be reading this book from the comfort of an armchair.
Where the Falcon Flies is a fascinating story of the vastness of our country, a man, his canoe and a peregrine falcon.
The Readers and Writers Festival is delighted to welcome Adam Shoalts to this year’s festival.
