IMPRESSIONS OF A BOOK.

TWO COOTS IN A CANOE - AN UNUSUAL STORY OF FRIENDSHIP
BY DAVID MORAINE

DAVID MORAINE IS A CONSERVATIONIST AND WAS THE HEAD OF LAND ACQUISITION FOR
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY FROM 1972 TO 1990. HE HAS AUTHORED FIVE BOOKS, ALL ON
CONSERVATION, GOOD DIRT, CONFESSIONS OF A CONSERVATIONIST, VACATION LAND, A
HALF CENTURY OF SUMMERING IN MAINE, SMALL CLAIMS:MY LITTLE TRIALS IN LIFE.

THIS IS THE STORY OF TWO MEN IN A CANOE. RAMSAY PEARD A RETIRED CEO, ASKS HIS
LONGTIME FRIEND DAVID (BUGSY) MOAINE IF HE WOULD LIKE TO CANOE THE 400 MILE LONG
CONNECTICUT RIVER, FIRST CONTACT IN 20 YEARS. DAVID AGREES WITH THE CONDITION THAT
NO CAMPING, 'I AM TOO OLD TO BE SLEEPING ON GROUND, COOKING OVER AN OPEN FIRE ETC.
THE FRIENDS DECIDED TO RELAY ON KINDNESS OF STRANGERS FOR THEIR NIGHT STAY. THE
FRIENDS HAD MET AT UNIV. OF VIRGINIA, DOING BACHELOR OF ADMN. IN 1969,

THE BOOK DESCRIBES THEIR JOURNEY ON THE RIVER, WITH SUBTLE HUMOUR, AND FULL OF
LAUGHTER ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR MISADVENTURES, INTERACTIONS WITH STRANGERS WHO
HOST THEM. ONE SEES ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE JOURNEY, HOWEVER,THE OTHER
INHERENTLY FEELS HIS FATE IS SEALED. IT IS AN HONEST ACCOUNT OF THE JOURNEY BY
DAVID MORAINE, AND IS TOLD IN A LUCID AND SIMPLE LANGUAGE.

THE JOURNEY COMMENCING ON MAY 27 2003, AND ENDS ON JUNE 28 2003, WITH 27 STRANGERS
PLAYING HOST TO THEM FOR THEIR STAY. THE COOTS EXPERIENCE VARYING WEATHER, RAIN
AND LITTLE CHILLY WEATHER. DAVID AVOIDING DRINKS WHILE CANOEING, RAMSAY ENJOYED
HIS CANS OF BEER AND HIS SMOKE, BUYING SIX PACKS EVERY DAY HOPING TO GIVE SOME AWAY TO
OTHER CANOEISTS. ALAS FOR NEARLY HALF THE JOURNEY THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY OTHER
ROWERS. THE COOTS REPAY THEIR HOSTS, MOSTLY, BY ARRANGING GRANTS FOR THEIR CONSERVATION
EFFORTS.

THEIR HOPES OF MEETING KATHERINE HEPBURN ON THE LAST LEG OF THEIR JOURNEY IN A PARTY
FAILED TO MATERIALISE, AND SADLY KATHERINE DIED ON JUNE 29, TWO DAYS AFTER THEY LEFT
FOR THEIR HOMES. THE BOOKS' END SHOCKS THE READER FOR THE DARK AND UNEXPECTED
DESTINATION OF THE FRIENDS.
IT IS WELL TOLD STORY AND KEEPS ONE ENGROSSED.
The book is published by Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, Connecticut, 303 pages, 28 chapters,
3 parts, 1st part covers North country, 2nd Dartmouth South, and 3 rd part covers Massachusetts and
Connecticut.