Questions on some short canoe camping trips

[curt]

Hi there, I'm looking for some info and advice on a few canoe trips.
Would like to do a few 1 or 2 night easy canoe trips solo and with my wife. My canoeing experience is limited, did the Restigouche many years ago, St croix once and other than that just canoeing for duck hunting and moose hunting.
I am thinking of the Dungarvon solo with the dog for 1 or 2 nights, Little River (off Nashwaak) for 1 night, possibly the Nashwaak from Stanley to Fredericton for a day trip, if possible.
I am for sure taking my wife (0 experience) on St Croix for 1 night and maybe a 2 nighter on Chip Lakes.
Are these good choices for novices looking for some moving water and small Rapids?
Thanks

[Jamie]

While I'm not the one to who should preach safety, everything listed in your post just screams out trouble. Limited experience, solo on a small river with dog and out with wife who has will be a first timer.

You would be better off paddling with a few other's until you're confident in yours and your wives paddling ability. I speak from plenty of experience, it doesn't take much for your trip to go bad, fortunately I always had others with me to bail my butt out of trouble when needed.

[curt]

Thanks for the advice, that is my thinking exactly.
I don't want to get into any trouble and why I am looking for very safe and basic rivers to start out with

[Jamie]

Assuming you're in or near Fredericton, Moncton or Saint John. All 3 cities have an established paddling club with dirt cheap membership cost. Well worth looking into for a place to get experience on the water (even if it just for your wife's sake).

Stanley to Taymouth or Durham Bridge is a relatively safe trip but it does have some swift water depending on the levels.

If you made it down the St. Croix in one piece then you should be able to manage the Main SW Miramichi but I'd advise against going with just your wife as relatively new paddlers.... it's more technical and unforgiving than the St. Croix.

We have tentative plans for the Miramichi, St.Croix and Chip Lakes and generally welcome an extra paddler and canoe on our trips. If you want to tag along it shouldn't be an issue and/or the paddling clubs typically make it out to these places too.

[curt]

Jamie thanks for the info and advice.
A few of us are planning a trip to sw mirimachi in late May early June, we usually do Musquash every year to just get out and decided last year to pick someplace new every year. My brother is very experienced so we are following him and letting him pick where to go based on experience.
Keep in touch, I would be interested in joining some groups if timing worked out.
I'll look into a club around saint john, do you have any contact info?

[Jamie]

Saint John group

www.fundypaddlersclub.org/