ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Peter Frank has embarked on an ambitious paddle trip, journeying from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland in his 1982 Sawyer Loon kayak. Currently, he has covered about a quarter of his planned 6,000-mile (9,656 kilometers) adventure known as the Great Loop, which features a continuous waterway path that integrates segments of the Atlantic and Gulf intracoastal waterways, the Great Lakes, Canadian Heritage Canals, and various inland rivers across the United States.
This remarkable undertaking for the 23-year-old serves as a profound expression of gratitude for his life and the physical capabilities he possesses, especially after a devastating car accident nearly a decade ago that left him with 14 broken bones and on the brink of paralysis. The accident occurred when he was attempting to surprise a friend and was unknowingly hidden under a pile of leaves when a group of teenagers drove over him.
“This journey is my way of showing appreciation for being alive and for the ability to walk and engage in activities I love,” Frank shared during a brief respite in Annapolis, Maryland, right before resuming his adventure. He finds joy in documenting his experiences through a blog and interacting with people he meets along his route.
“I’m grateful to be out here sharing my story. I think there’s an element of responsibility in documenting my experiences for those who may never get the chance to have such adventures themselves, or for those who dream of it,” he articulates.
Dressed in a handmade outfit inspired by pirates and a rabbit-fur hat, Frank spends between six and ten hours a day paddling in his canoe, which has been adapted with a hollowed shell for storing supplies. At night, he typically sets up a tent by the water, although he frequently receives invitations from blog readers to stay with them.
To keep warm during his travels, Frank has assembled a winter wardrobe that includes a vintage 1970s down coat, an ultra-light Patagonia jacket sourced from a thrift shop, German military mittens from the 1950s, thermal layers, and several pairs of wool socks. Recently, feeling inadequately dressed, he designed and crafted a pair of quilted pants over cotton flannel for added warmth.
He travels equipped with 10 portable power banks, crucial for keeping his GPS, radio, camera, and phone charged. The bag dedicated to electronics essentials weighs about 25 pounds, and he also carries a solar panel for additional backup charging. “Ten power banks seem to be a good number to ensure I have enough battery life for all my devices during challenging situations,” he explains.
For self-defense, Frank carries minimal gear, including a small filet knife for fishing and a pocket knife for cutting rope. He expresses confidence in his ability to navigate potential dangers, such as taking precautions in bear territories and tying up food to avoid attracting wildlife. “Ultimately, I feel secure because I can’t prevent everything, and worrying about things out of my control doesn’t help,” he states.
A dedicated Eagle Scout, Frank has prepared a significant portion of his food for the journey. He dehydrated various meats, including game and ground beef, and vacuum-sealed them for the trip ahead. He generates some income by documenting his adventure, while his blog’s “Rotisserie Chicken Fund” allows readers to contribute financially with small donations, helping him cover essential expenses.
Frank’s history includes various long-distance trips on bicycles, unicycles, and canoes. His previous canoe journey in Florida took him approximately 11 months and concluded in May of 2023. The path he’s traveling now mirrors some of those adventures, and he acknowledges that he may need to dock his canoe to sleep tied to mangroves during certain stretches.
The Great Loop represents his most difficult expedition to date. Commonly regarded as a bucket-list journey for boating enthusiasts, it is unusual to undertake the Great Loop using only a canoe. Additionally, Frank has opted to travel clockwise around the loop, which poses greater challenges as he frequently paddles against the current in various inland rivers.
After launching his trip from Escanaba, Michigan, on June 27, he crossed into Canada, traversed Lake Ontario, and camped on several islands before heading south through New York City, where he paddled past the iconic Statue of Liberty. Although he has thoroughly researched the Great Loop, he admits that not every detail was readily available, leading him to create some of his own navigational paths.
Departing New York, he chose the Delaware and Raritan Canal, using uncharted portages that he discovered independently. Frank aspires to write an informational guide to address existing knowledge gaps regarding the route and is considering penning an autobiography. “I’d like to create two pieces — one that serves as an educational guide and a second that narrates the story of a young man on a journey of self-discovery,” he shares.
Having lived with his parents prior to this venture, he began traveling full time after unicycling across the United States at age 19 for charity. “I sometimes return home to visit for a couple of months between expeditions, but for the last three years, I’ve committed to this lifestyle,” he explains, adding that everything he owns is packed in his canoe.
Frank insists that financial constraints do not significantly hinder his travels. “Contrary to popular belief, traveling doesn’t cost nearly as much when you avoid expenses like plane tickets, gas, accommodations, and dining out,” he points out. He has managed previous excursions on less than $1,000.
“Is this lifestyle the most comfortable or practical? Definitely not. However, the adventures I pursue demand little to nothing financially, allowing me to develop an appreciation for living minimally and enjoying life deeply,” he reflects.
This journey has also become a pathway for Frank toward self-discovery. “It’s tough to predict my whereabouts in three years since I’m still young and evolving, but I hope that this extensive journey of self-examination will bring clarity and insight,” he expresses, estimating that it will take around 17 months to complete the Great Loop, with a personal deadline set for November, considering the winter freeze on the lakes he will encounter.