Voyageurs | Living History of the Great Lakes Fur Trade Routes

I joined the Saginaw Voyageurs, a 1700s french voyageur reenactment group with a 34 foot canoe that still paddle the original fur trade routes of the Great Lakes. In this video, we'll take a journey back in time and canoe and camp like 1700s French voyageurs paddling from Sault St. Marie and travel down the Beautiful St Marys River and end at Mackinaw City.
This trip is perfect for those who love adventure, nature, and history. It's a great way to learn more about early French explorers and see some picturesque parts of Michigan. After watching this video, you'll be ready to embark on your own epic journey!
If you're interested in joining the crew on future voyages let me know in the comments, send me an email or find me on Instagram
/ atlasadves
or
/ brettbarlow
Help us acquire a new drone since mine malfunctioned and drowned filming this documentary at:
gofund.me/5978b077
Thank you for the support :)
Amazon Camping Items:
- Water Filter Press Bottle - amzn.to/3LefjT0
- Camp Soap - amzn.to/45MDmRC
- Big Agnes Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3Z4ZIv1
- Camping Pillow - amzn.to/3LeRpah
- Ultralight Sleeping Pad - amzn.to/3EpX3CF
- Foam Sleeping Pad - amzn.to/45RNs38
- Rechargeable Lantern - amzn.to/3EuH71U
- Pot - amzn.to/3Eurfwn
Amazon Filming Items:
- Drone - amzn.to/461ggX2
- Drone Case - amzn.to/3Ptrk9S
- Large Tripod - amzn.to/4639nnR
- Mini Tripod - amzn.to/3PsxK95
- Microphone - amzn.to/44IO6z0
- Camera Umbrella - amzn.to/45HTUdc
If you'd like to support us on our adventures please join our Patreon :)
Patreon: / atlasadventures
or PayPal:
www.paypal.me/brettb1988
Please Hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE BUTTON as well as the NOTIFICATION BELL.
Thanks For Watching :)
You are much appreciated fellow outdoors enthusiasts!
#voyageurs #canoecamping #canoeing

[@michaelbroyer3918]

I watch a lot of Canadian wilderness KZbin videos. This one was fun and different, in a good way. Sorry about your drone and keep adventuring.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it Michael and appreciate the uniqueness haha 👍

[@markbarlow2215]

Very cool trip, sad about your drone though! But now I want some black coffee!

[@AtlasAdventures]

It was a good drone haha. “What do you want? BLACK COFFEE!” 😂

[@franktyler8538]

Brett Affleck with another unique hit! This guy doesn't miss 🍻

[@AtlasAdventures]

I guess just having fun helps haha thanks thanks Frank, appreciate it!

[@LMay64]

Very cool adventure!

[@AtlasAdventures]

It definitely was! Thank you

[@WiskeyAdventures]

Really enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you Wiskey :)

[@pixyah]

So cool! Had fun paddling for a bit with y’all:)

[@AtlasAdventures]

Oh awesome! Not sure who you are from your profile but glad you got to paddle :)

[@kna.living]

the older men just bantering is so funny to me. This was different but fun to watch!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Haha yea it was funny to be apart of. Thanks, glad you enjoyed 😊

[@Devinyyz]

Amazing adventure! You can count on two able-bodied Michiganders for next year!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Right on 🛶💪 can’t wait and thanks buddy!

[@Pack.Leader]

Very cool. Great ending.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thank you. Appreciate it Pack Leader 👍

[@patcole-home3152]

We saw this group up at Muskellunge State Park on the shores of Lake Superior. It was years ago... probably 15 or more years ago. Beautiful vessel!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Oh wow that’s very cool! I’m sure a few of these guys were there. Thanks 😊

[@tambymeatfoot4421]

Just found your channel yesterday.... excellent content! This trip looks rough, but definitely rewarding.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Glad you found my channel and thank you! It was an exhausting one but very fun

[@laurakauffman9144]

Thanks!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thank you Laura 😊 I appreciate you!

[@NO-ly8wg]

Fantastic documentary!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thank you :) It was a lot of fun making!

[@fisherman5662]

Should have brought Atlas! He could have perched himself on the stern of the canoe. Would have made a great photo.

[@AtlasAdventures]

If it would’ve been an option, I would have for sure. Next year I think I’ll get them to let me bring her!

[@FjHenderson]

This is so cool I stumbled upon your great video. My great, great grandfather was from the 3 rivers area and his last name was Gynac but written so many different ways I'm not sure if I'm writing it correctly. I've found gynac, gunac, genac, gwenac, so being metis between the English and French it was butchered many ways. He traveled constantly between the Montreal and mont trois riveres area with trade and had multiple wives. After one would pass he would find another wife. I think my grandmother was the first wife and was Indian, but I can't find if she was from the 3 rivers area or the straits area. She died and he put the 3 kids, my grandmother and 2 brother's into the Indian catholic orphanage in Harbor Springs. I can't imagine traveling the great distances between the straights and Montreal area for trade. You would have to been a tough person to do it over and over. I did find a distance relative from another of his wives that was doing family genealogy, and she spelled his last Name Gynac. Stay safe in your travels

[@AtlasAdventures]

Yea it was definitely a different time back then for sure but the story’s and history is interesting to say the least! I have French ancestors that came over to the Maine area made their way to Montreal, mated with natives then lost track of a lot that side since records weren’t kept much when that happened but eventually some made it to Michigan where we are now. Anyways thanks for watching 😊

[@tumbleweed6658]

I Would to be apart of this I have been an American Revolution re-enactor for about 25 + years and have been canoeing for about five years, this would be a great adventure. Thank you so much for sharing this. Cheers from Colorado.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thank you and sounds like you’d be a perfect fit for the group! We are looking for more guys if you’re still interested. I don’t see an email for you on your channel, but you can find mine in the about section or I’m on FaceBook as Atlas Adventures

[@Overcookedeggz]

Ay I can’t watch the video to good cause I’m out camping myself but when I get back I already know this is gonna be better than a nice meal after a camping trip

[@slynkylynx]

Hey! This was different and fun! Really enjoyed it. The skit was hilarious 😄 You're a good sport 😊👍

[@AtlasAdventures]

Yes very different but so fun! Glad you had a good time and a good laugh 😁

[@notboblowski0624]

good stuff!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thanks not bob! Appreciate it

[@michaelcrawford9425]

Love your channel man. Donation for the new Drone complete. Gotta help keep thise videos coming!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thank you so much Michael! It helps so much! Appreciate you 😊👍

[@thressapratt7150]

Come on guys, ICE..COLD...BEER..AHEAD!

[@AtlasAdventures]

🤣🍻

[@rickfromvirginia]

Sorry I was late watching your new video, I just got back from a fishing trip. Yep, another awesome video! I think you did an awesome job of documenting this cool adventure. Reenactments like this adventure help understand what made this country great! You did an amazing job with your drone, and I dont mind contributing some to help you get it replaced. I have to admit that the skit at the end was hilarious 😊 Thanks for making my day! Rick From Virginia

[@AtlasAdventures]

Hope it was a fruitful fishing trip! Thank you Rick, it was a great experience and a ton of fun. Help with the drone is much appreciated :) Glad you got a chuckle from the skit haha

[@rickfromvirginia]

@@AtlasAdventures go fund m e or paypal? 👍

[@AtlasAdventures]

@@rickfromvirginia whatever you’re more comfortable with. I know you usually do PayPal. Thanks Rick 😊

[@thomengel9720]

An acquaintance of mine from many years ago Bob Pence was in the Saginaw Voyagers. The more of this I watch the more exhausted I get. I give that group much admiration.

[@AtlasAdventures]

I met Bob at the rendezvous festival at the end of the trip! Thank you

[@thressapratt7150]

about 35 years ago my family and I were part of that reenactment. My Dad was part of the voyagers too. He MAY have helped build that canoe you're in. I know he helped replicate the guns on display at the fort in Mackinaw City.

[@katrinashay1]

Probably the dislikes came due to lack of dogs in the video…

[@AtlasAdventures]

Dang you're so right 🤣 Atlas is definitely joining next year!

[@jamesgoldstien1468]

What an awesome trip though

[@NO-ly8wg]

You should be a hat model!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Yea screw KZbin 🤣 the thought never crossed my mind!

[@kevinhardy2667]

What a great time. I had a great time padding with you guys and I appreciate the opportunity.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thanks Kevin! It was fun hanging out with you and glad you got to try out the canoe 👍

[@mitchdavis9416]

Man I live in Oscoda, just moved back from Nashville and I'd love to show you some spots. Just found your channel about a week ago and its definitely inspiring me to get out more.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Awesome, I lived in Nashville for 8 years myself! I might have to take you up on that offer 👍

[@StB0]

thank you for the beautiful content! great video 👍 I´m a voyageur at heart and do an interpretation over in Bavaria, Germany. I would love to go on a tour with you guys but beeing from germany the opportunities to visit you in america are limited. Looking forward to future videos of your group!

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thank you and hopefully you can do something similar other there

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

8:00 That's an awfully fancy camp.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Those canvas tents are no joke!

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

@@AtlasAdventures Real Voyageurs wouldn't have such luxurious accommodations.

[@AtlasAdventures]

​@@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869 you don't say hahaha the real voyageurs also wouldn't have anyone over the age of 40 years old

[@bradleybernier7526]

I live in Michigan. My boys and i would be interested in joining.

[@AtlasAdventures]

Hey Brad how’s it going? That’s awesome! Are your boys at least 16 yrs old?

[@denniscrane9753]

Have you guys ever paddled the Turtle flambeau flowage? I seen a crew there once while fishing?

[@clynt7653]

Can you please tell me that Au Sable river route you took. My grandparents had a farm in Fredrick. I would love to know that route.......start point.....end point. Thank you brother.

[@gillano]

This looks so awesome, How can I get in on this?

[@AtlasAdventures]

Thanks, yea it’s an awesome experience. Send me an email (on my about page I think) and I’ll put you on our list and you’ll be notified when we start planning the next trip. Talk to you soon 👍

[@tobiasfreitag2182]

It is really really obvious that some of the folks are not actively propelling the boat, but keep stroking the water instead. As a lifelong paddler, I've seen this so often, and most of the time, people doing that, do not even realize that they aren't achieving anything.

[@AtlasAdventures]

If we could get younger guys to join we could have a full boat of able paddlers but we cant so the veterans of the group do what they can and have paid their dues

[@tobiasfreitag2182]

@AtlasAdventures I see that my commentary came across a lot harsher than intended.... I'm fully aware that some of the older folks might not be as strong of a paddler than someone half their age (although that quite often is not true, trust me I just came back home frome a canoe meeting where most attendees were retirees and quite a few of the tiny elderly ladies would be hard to keep up with for a young guy laking experience in proper technique). The thing I see here is, that quite a few of the crew are just tipping in the tips of their paddles, only moving the top layer of water, wasting whatever energy they put into the stroke by creating turbulence instead of pushing the boat forwards. That is not a sign of old age (actually, you will see that with little kids most of the time), but a sign of inexperience and that none is their to tell them that their efforts are wasted and guide them to the use of proper techniques that allow them to use what ever power they possess to make a worthwhile contribution. That might still sound a little harsh, but that can, in part, be blamed on the fact that I'm not a native speaker of English and is in no way on purpose. I would love to take part in a trip like this. Sadly, I'm not able to afford doing so....

[@jamesgoldstien1468]

No life jackets or nothing.. how the DNR letting you guys do that?

[@martinmcdowell4807]

Great channel! I sent you some messages through instagram