Glenn,
All but one of my canoe trips has been in Canada. But that’s not because I choose Canada over the U.S., it’s a function of what kind of tripping I want to do. Particularly in the old days, I wantEd a trip of 3-6 weeks, on a river that does not go through any communities, north of 60 degrees, preferably north of the Arctic Circle. I love that constant daylight. Also there must be a minimum of rules and regulations - preferably none. These criteria pretty much eliminate paddling in the U.S., except for Alaska. No need for me to go all the way to Alaska, though.
Kathleen and I did paddle on the Flathead in northern Montana, but that’s because four families, from our canoe club in Vancouver, all with young children, asked us to come to be lead boat, and to perform rescues, if necessary. It turned out that it was necessary. Greg and Cheryl, with their young daughter, Alana, were behind us, but drifted too far to the outside bend, where they swamped and capsized in the big water. We got Alana, whose eyes were big as plates, onto our spray deck, as Cheryl held onto our stern while we dragged her to shore. I told Greg to just be patient, as there was no serious danger downstream. Dan and Monica are on the way.
When everyone was back on shore, I asked the swimmers what they did wrong. Alana said, “I don’t know. I kept bailing and bailing, but the water kept coming in.” Very cute. Cheryl said, “I guess we we weren’t following you close enough.” Fair enough, I said. But you need to be getting your boat to the inside bend, where the waves aren’t so big. I introduced them to the mantra that Kathleen and I normally follow. Where do you want to be? INSIDE BEND. When do you want to be there? NOW.
The trip was OK. Good to paddle with friends, and to be helpful. But it didn’t meet any of my criteria for tripping. Also, there was a rule that prohibited camping on the left bank, IIRC.
For the reasons above, I have done almost no tripping, even in BC, my home Province for 33 years. Went on Bowron Lakes because my Department Head asked us to come with him. Not a river. Camping restricted to designated sites. Way far south. Pitch black at night.
Paddled the Dease River in northern BC because a childhood friend from Sacramento wanted to go on a canoe trip, and had never paddled before. The Dease is suitable for beginners, and at least ended near 60 degrees. Also, no rules or regulations. A good trip.
I know several families from our canoe club who have paddled the Green River in Utah multiple times. As you might suspect, it’s not a trip that appeals to me, or Kathleen.
When we were still in Vancouver, we used to go to Washington State with our canoe club for day trips on the North and South Nooksack. Also used to paddle the Wenatchee River in Washington on long weekends. Great whitewater. But the border became a hassle. Kathleen and I quit going.
This summer we plan to return to the Northwest Territories. Only two weeks. Mostly on lakes. But constant daylight and no rules or regulations. No communities. Will probably not see anyone else. Never gave a thought to paddling in the U.S., which just doesn’t have the conditions we’re looking for.