A couple, originally from Quebec City, who have spent the past four years canoeing across North America are back on the water after a stop in North Bay.

After paddling the west coast last winter, Pierre Pépin, Jennifer Gosselin and their dog Jasmine left Vancouver and are on their way to Moncton, New Brunswick.

Pépin says back in 2012 when they completed a canoe trip along the fur trade route from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Repentigny, Quebec, they knew it was time for a change.

“We went back to work and it didn’t work any more, it didn’t click any more and we decided to go on a longer trip,” he says. “We had to sell everything we own and it’s been the best move ever.”

Pépin says the trip is about inspiring people to go on their own adventures outdoors.

“We’d like to spend more time talking with people about the trip and living their own experience, dreaming and having a passion and being able to play that passion,” he says.

As for the highlight of the trip, Pépin says it’s human kindness.

“Every time people do something for us, we take a picture of them and this spring we hit 1,000,” he says. “1,000 people, since we’ve started our trip have been helping us.”

That includes everything from the wheel assembly that was donated to transport their canoe on land to the free stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton North Bay last night (Monday).

Pépin says after the trip is over they’ll get back to work.

“Right now we’re looking for a place to stay, we’re looking for jobs, we’re shopping across Canada for a place to stay and work,” he says, noting they like this community too. “North Bay is very kind, people are generous, big heart, this is another place, who knows, we might be coming back to live.”

To learn more check out the couple’s blog wildravenadventure.com

Filed under: north bay, wild-raven-adventure