The Meanest Link: Part 1 - Beginnings

[@maydanlex]

Your first day brought me pain...vicariously. Thanks for posting.

[@thepriest98]

"Beginnings" is the most detailed and extensive set up to a documentary on The Meanest Link out there at this point I think. I was waiting for this and it did not disappoint. It's interesting that Mark Rubino's trip logs, website and Rogers series sparked this great adventure, along with Kevin Callan. I've certainly used both their writing as inspiration and guidance as well. Although not for The Meanest Link...yet! Can't wait for the next Episode and all that follow. Thanks Russ, all the best. Chris

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

To be truthful I usually shy away from watching Algonquin park videos as I find there are to many of them. You put so much work and effort in producing this and have done such a wonderful job in narration and overall presentation that I can’t resist tagging along. Congratulations on this dream trip of yours and I look forward to watching the entire thing as it unfolds. See you on the next one✌️

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks very much! Great to hear it was able to hold your attention. Hope the rest of the series can keep pace. 😬

[@caroleevans1221]

Russ, what a brilliant story-teller you are!!! Brilliant!!! Your timing... Editing... Everything....brilliant!!!

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much Carole!

[@1976DSCH]

Russ, this is a stunning trip report with great visuals and story-telling! I look forward to part two. Rest easy, Bigsby.

[@IanYoungOutdoors]

This is beautiful! Thanks for creating this for those of us still in the dreaming stage of ML planning. Can’t wait to watch more!

[@cliffordwright1603]

That was amazing. Thank you so much for taking us along. I can’t wait for more in this series.

[@jonathanrunciman5676]

I fell upon this channel by happenstance and wow am I ever glad I did 🤩🤩

[@igorp9970]

Great Part 1. Cant wait for the rest. Thxs for sharing.

[@NobleEndeavours123]

This is absolutely fantastic! Thank-you for sharing this. I can hardly wait until Part 2 arrives!

[@Paddlerunner]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks very much :) Hoping Part 2 can keep up!

[@tombeckett4340]

So far so good. I’m enjoying your trip. Great job. Thanks 👍🇨🇦

[@ride-paddle-repeat]

Your storytelling on this route/journey and setting the stage is as good as Mark's trip logs. Looking forward to seeing the adventure unfold.

[@Paddlerunner]

Many thanks for that! Nice to see a fellow "Mark" enthusiast too :) Hope part 2 can live up!

[@TOOZECRUISE]

Wow! Thoroughly enjoyed that. What a beginning is right! Part two can't come soon enough!! 🤘 R.I.P. Bigsby

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much, and for the condolences also. Much appreciated.

[@ThePursuitofPassion]

Nice work on Part 1 Russ! Really enjoyed it and sets you up for the coming episodes. Look forward to the rest. Touching tribute to Bigsby!

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much David! Very much appreciated,

[@awehnert235]

You are an ambitious guy! Hoping more of your trip is enjoyable, and few extended days like the first. Safe travels!

[@faraway7696]

Superb video. Thank you. I‘ve caught me checking twice daily for part 2… Can‘t wait.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks very much for the kind words!

[@faraway7696]

Oh man… I can‘t wait for part two. Any hint for us, on when we might find Video 2 on your channel? Thanks AGAIN for video 1. It is thrilling. Cheers from Switzerland. Simon

[@Paddlerunner]

@@faraway7696Huge thanks! Well, it’s a work in progress and requires a lot of time to do it up right. Last time I tried to predict a publish date I ended up going 6 months longer than I promised. So all I can say is make sure to hit the notifications icon LOL:) Way cool to know my vid is getting watched In Switzerland! Thanks again!

[@prayfornathannatureshow]

Excellent video and recounting of the beginning of the trip. Inspirational! Looking forward to following your journey.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

That was awesome and, in my humble opinion, your best video yet. The narrative was stupendous! Now I’ll sit here, twiddling my thumbs, anticipating the next installment lol

[@toshselfpropelled]

This was fantastic. Like you I've been thinking about the Meanest Link for a while. I'll also be paddling solo. Thanks for putting this together. Looking forward to Part 2.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck planning your trip! :)

[@Martin_G]

Wow! If I could give this 3 thumbs up I would. Love the narrative style Russ. Way to go.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much Martin! You are far too generous but I'll take the compliments all the same LOL :)

[@algonquinariadventureman2646]

Great Video Russ !!! I Have Green And Red bow (Tall White in stern) Navigation Lights on My Swift Pack Boat , My “Mr Senior” Flood light on the Bow !! I’m preparing for The Meanest Link this Summer

[@scotthillier3465]

Excellent start Russ. Your description of trip planning , the what when where n why was well done . Your oral description of your trip , despite audio n video at times, was easy to follow and understand . Loved it all !!

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks very much Scott! Much appreciated :)

[@jaysway2346]

Awesome video! As visually stunning your video is, your descriptive commentary is captivating...Looking forward to part 2 and hope you continue to make future vids in this style. Thanks for sharing. Now subbed.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks very much for the kind comments! Much appreciated 😊

[@RossBrownfoot]

Worth the wait. We'll done, Russ! Looking forward to Part 2.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thank you Mr. Brown! Good vibes much appreciated and here's hoping Part 2 can live up! :)

[@paulhoy]

Love your storytelling. In literature, it resembles "creative non-fiction." I'm looking forward to tuning in to the rest of your journey.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks again Paul! Very much appreciated :)

[@mascanoe1]

Wonderful job, Russ. And, great commentary. Really looking forward to your adventures on the Big East.

[@Paddlerunner]

Glad you enjoyed and thanks very much! Hoping the next part can live up :)

[@danielmailhotoutdoors]

Nice! Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@drbsmokelake5564]

Excellent......👍👍

[@lorfootb276]

Great video Russ! Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks Lori! Glad I'm finally able to get on with the next one :)

[@canadiandrifter]

great job story has started so epic!! so looking forward to part 2

[@canoepoler]

You are my new hero. Thank you for your effort on the video (your efforts on the trip are their own thanks, I suppose.) It appears that this will be a "warts and all" presentation... that is the heroic part. (So few have the humanity to do that.) So worth waiting for! Part II is greatly anticipated by all, I am sure! :)

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much and I appreciate you noticing that :) I made a lot of mistakes on this trip. Some of them I paid for, others I lucked my way through, but could have proved quite costly. That reality is a big part of the story and what makes it worth telling.

[@garysidell9434]

Russ, Excellent, simply excellent! The only thing missing was the third dimension of doing this trip rather than watching you do it; hard to capture with a camera but your pictures and narration were Hollywood movie quality. Looking forward to the next section anxiously!

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much! :) You're being WAY generous with the video quality but I appreciate the kindness for sure. Hopefully part 2 will show improvement on that front anyway :)

[@brobob969]

Been waiting for this since you posted the preview .Excellent job ,can't wait for the next one.

[@Paddlerunner]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and see you on part 2 :)

[@GraylingOutdoors]

Great story telling. I look forward to further episodes. What software do you use to animate your maps?

[@scottwhite7320]

wow amazing job on the production of this video and what an amazing adventure your on! can't wait for the next video

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks so much! Hope part 2 can match the enthusiasm and doesn't prove to be the "disappointing sequel" LOL :)

[@papacampoutdoors]

I am considering this trip in 2022!

[@jmullin]

Well done, REALLY enjoyed the vid!

[@Paddlerunner]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the positive vibes!

[@mikeburns9151]

Well done! I let my buddys Markus/Scott know of your vid

[@Paddlerunner]

Thanks Mike and yes, please do! I think Scott may have watched but Mark I'm not sure about. Would love for him to know what he helped inspire. I remember you appearing in a few of his trip journals. I envy your experiences :)

[@KebertXela]

420 km, nice.

[@tombeckett4340]

Don’t forget your PFD it’s sorta important. And setting the example. Thanks.🇨🇦

[@rickmerriman8967]

Good video and great commentary, but I’m afraid the half a cup of trail mix is greatly under estimated, I can go through that in 5 or10 minutes! 🛶🍻🤗

[@Paddlerunner]

Lol don’t I know it! Good thing I had the Clif bars in reserve! 😊