Long before the endless black ribbons of asphalt

came to subdivide the North American countryside,

travelers were journeying over an extensive network of

highways. As highways go, these were neither slick nor fast,

although there were moments of breathtaking speed. They

were a meandering, unhurried way--often the only way--of

getting from one place to another. But they were clean,

quiet, and natural, and catered to one of man s oldest forms

of transportation--the silent, nonpolluting canoe.

Most of these quiet, blue arteries exist still. And spurred by

man s recent (and somewhat belated) ecological awareness,

Americans by the thousands are becoming reacquainted with

this ancient form of travel. Latest boating industry reports show

as many as 65,000 canoes sold in a single year with sales volume

climbing more than 40 percent annually. Canoe dealers are

reporting order books filled for months ahead as more

Americans discover this fascinating multi-faceted outdoor ac-

tivity.

For canoeing lends itself to a variety of interests. It appeals to