"River Horse"

Ramon Sr · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:26 am Post subject:

I agree with Pat and 416rigby. I have the book and forced myself to read it thinking "it will get better and more interesting". I probably went through half of the book and finally gave up.

Hunkydory · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:50 pm Post subject:

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:33 pm Post subject:

I was one of the recipients of the "free" book. I didnt think it was worth what i paid for it. Sent it on to another Brat pretty quickly.

Charlie

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:43 pm Post subject:

Interesting how people either seem to either really like it or hate it, for the most part - or maybe "middle of the road" people just don't bother commenting on it.

I enjoyed it. But then I'm a sucker for a boating/journey book, and (along with Bill and El's website and seeing one locally cruising) it was my introduction to the C-Dory back in the late 90's Thumbs Up

I did have to look up a lot of words in the dictionary (I had thought I possessed a good vocabulary, but nooooo), but I enjoy that sort of thing. I still remember the vivid feeling of two different descriptions: As I remember them, one was a paragraph long sentence describing being in a lock, and the other was curse-whining about the long, Long, LONG days of paddling on the Misssouri (which deserve it!).

Anyway, very interesting to read the various reviews and (strong) opinions.

journey on · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:37 pm Post subject:

I thought it was a really, really good book. I read it several years ago, but my memory is a great description of rivers across the US, and how it was done. I must of missed the political part, or agreed and forgot about it.

I read another of his books ( Blue Highways?) and went through one chapter and quit. I guess that marks me as a cruiser, reading about anything going places in boats.

Judy insisted on the C-dory, but she didn't read the book.

Boris

Leo Smith · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:10 am Post subject:

I have read both Blue Highways and River Horse. Liked both books, using a road atlas to trace the journeys as i read each chapter. I know enough about writing to be dangerous, so I can't make any comments as to if it is good or bad writing. For me, the value of these books was following the journey and looking forward to making similar treks (both by boat and RV) when I retire.

RogerJuntunen · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 12:36 am Post subject: River horse

The feel of River Horse is of a guy who pretends he is a boater getting into situations he should not be in, and somehow trying to make himself look brave and competent. He said he came down the Snake in Idaho if I remember right. Well I live on the Snake River and have been active in canoe clubs and with the white water community. What about the waterfalls, and what about Hells Canyon? And what about the Murtaugh stretch and many more - too many to mention. I think Moon and his boat were trailering 98 % of this. If he was on the water I would have heard about it. Anyway, he is a guy trying to sell a book, which I understand, but I think the book and writing style is off the mark. Roger

journey on · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 12:58 am Post subject:

Roger, I thought about coming down the Snake and Columbia in Journey On. After looking at it, my conclusion was that the Snake was either impassable or dammed and essentially a pond.

I also beleive that Lewis and Clark came to the impassable conclusion for the first part of the Snake.

Do you have a different opinion? I've only driven by it on the highway. Did spend a couple of days at Clarkston, watching the grain barges go through.

Boris

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:12 am Post subject:

WARNING -- HYJACK IN PROGRESS

I was at the wash rack in Port Townsend today, minding my own business, cleaning the boat and ------ guess what? Behind me I hear, "Hey, I used to have a C-Dory, How do you like yours"

Well, you know where that goes.

Applicable point here is, He took his 22 Cruiser from where the Snake and Columbia Rivers diverge, up to Lewiston Clarkston (Washington/Idaho boarder.) Up through the locks, and back. And up past Lewiston a ways to Grey's Bar, I think he said. I have also been on that section of the Snake, in my Montgomery 15 sail boat. Mostly pools and locks and big tug and barges. Above that, it would be really scary in a prop driven outboard. I have been through Hells Canyon, but that was on a jet sled, and is a whole different ride.

I never go that far in River Horse. If I had, maybe I would have liked it better. Some day I will try again. Mean time it keeps m,y other 2 books on the shelf from rubbing together Laughing

Now back to the regular programming.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

PS From Jay and Jolee

Chuckpacific · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:34 pm Post subject:

I’ve read quite a few books about boat trips and invariably they end up being about that author’s reflections on life. Not every author is a heroic boat-savvy captain. In fact the more flawed the writer the more interesting the tale. The most disappointing reads are those in which too much planning or preparation minimizes the unexpected.
The best part of River Horse for me was about doing the undammed parts of the upper Missouri River. From navigation, resupply and maintenance standpoints they stand out as the most challenging.

journey on · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject:

OK, Hardee, where is Greys Bar? I found Greys River, but that's above a bunch of reservoirs. So how far up the Snake did that darn hijacker go?

You know, I thought getting a boat (or several) across the USA must have been a great experience, and I enjoyed the description. Also enjoyed reading about Lewis and Clark, sent out by Thomas Jefferson.

Boris

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:24 pm Post subject:

Boris,

I don't know for sure, I believe it was only a few river miles, maybe 4-5 river miles, if that far. I remember going past a gravel bar, up river a ways but we were on the jet sled and it was back when I was in college. (late 70's) so memory is a bit foggy.

I just recognized the name when he mentioned it.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

El and Bill · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:30 pm Post subject:

We paddled a double kayak down the Upper Missouri for 2 ½ months -- marvelous trip. Had a sail for the lakes and camped ashore at night. Then took our c-d down the lower Missouri some years later. A fine cruise.

Also came down the Columbia from headwater lakes in BC to the ocean. Another great cruising river.

R-Matey · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:56 pm Post subject: River Horse

Our first 'River Horse' book was a gift from one of our customers back in 2000. He'd been to our shop several times and noticed our 1985 C-Dory which we kept parked in the chain-linked compound at the back of our property.

I (Joe) tried to read 'River Horse' two or three times and never got beyond the second chapter. Some years passed and after a short time in retirement I decided I would make it through that book from cover to cover---AND I DID! I do agree with Pat and some of you that it is a hard read. So just to be ornery and test some of our shipmates = C-Brats, Ruthie and I bought and have given away at least ten copies. Some at the Bellingham CBGTs, a couple were donated at one of Barry & Patti's earlier FH CBGT's. Ruthie likes to shop for these 'River Horse' books so the blame falls on her....

Ruthie's story: I'd never heard of 'River Horse' until this guy came into the shop with the book. He was so excited because he said he'd heard that a C-Dory was mentioned in the book and he was sure we'd enjoy it. We thought how nice is that! A brand new book! What a nice gift! That very night when we got home I started to read it, only got as far as page 3 and that was it for me! I've read 'Gone With the Wind' at least twice in my life time (once when I was fifteen), even 'Exodus' and the 'Grapes of Wrath'! I could not get into 'River Horse'

We currently have two copies of 'River Horse' of which one was supposed to go with us to the 2014 FH CBGT but in a senior moment I didn't remember to take it with us. So maybe at the next CBGT we attend, someone will be the new owner of a copy of 'River Horse'

Ruth and Joe, C-Brats #22
R-MATEY

colobear · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 1:29 am Post subject:

I read River Horse after hearing it was about taking a 22 clear across the country by water. I finished the book but it was a chore. I got into it and grew frustrated with the author's wilful ignorance, manipulation of others, and foolishness. He did not cross the country by water. He did not even use his 22 for all of the on-water travel, a jet boat as I recall on the snake and...most frustrating to me he hired a boat to cross the Columbia bar. The author himself didn't even make it across the country by water. The boat is/was on display somewhere in the midwest as this great expedition boat. Ego, Ego,Ego...self-promotion. I try to pass it on with no commentary but this thread gives me a chance to express how disappointed I was.