Welcome. Canoe52 is an evolving adventure that began as a shared dream and continues to unfold, one paddle stroke at a time. Get to know the Canoe52 Crew and the people who have helped shape the journey.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE NAME?
Inspired by that first trip to North Carolina, I wanted to see everything this country had to offer from the seat of a canoe. Canoe50 didn’t quite have the right ring, so the project became Canoe52, expanding the goal to include Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico as a small nod to their place in the American landscape.
The journey began as a shared road-trip adventure with our Old Town canoe strapped to the car. Since then, it has grown into a long-term quest that continues to evolve. Based in New England, expect road trips, camping along magnificent rivers and lakes, and plenty of tips about paddling.
As is customary with many boats, the Canoe52 canoe has a name: Karalius, the Lithuanian word for “king.” It’s a small homage to shared family heritage. Tony’s last name means “king” in French, giving the canoe a name that connects both traditions.
MEET THE Canoe52 CREW
Canoe52 Today
Tony
From the classroom to the water, Tony’s life is rooted in curiosity, exploration, and connection. The first 25 states marked an unforgettable chapter of Canoe52 and laid the foundation for everything that followed.
From the stern seat, he continues to guide the canoe forward. The back of the boat offers a particular perspective: reading the water, adjusting to conditions, and staying in rhythm with the movement of the boat itself. Steering requires patience, awareness, and a steady hand, qualities that shape both the journey and the life around it.
Based in New England, Tony continues traveling state by state in pursuit of waterways that reveal something distinct about place, its landscape, history, and culture. Canoe52 is not an escape from life, but an expression of it: a way to reconnect, recharge, and move forward with intention.
Jess
Jess brings a sharp eye for the small details that often become the most memorable parts of a trip. A skilled communicator with a strong sense of direction, she is well suited to the bow, where reading the route ahead and staying attuned to the water are part of the job.
She loves the adventure that comes with Canoe52, especially the moments that inspire a sense of wonder: a striking sunset, an unexpected landscape, or a quiet stretch of water that feels entirely removed from the world around it. As her experience on the water has grown, she has quickly developed confidence and skill on the water while bringing curiosity, adaptability, and a steady presence to the boat.
As part of the Canoe52 team, Jess helps shape the journey through the details she notices, the perspective she brings, and an enthusiasm for discovering what lies around the next bend.
The Original Canoe52 Crew
Amanda
Amanda was an essential part of the original Canoe52 team. A historian and artist, she brought curiosity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the stories behind the places we visited. She had a gift for meeting new people and finding the best vegan meals in every city along the way.
Trip planning was her domain. While procrastination may have followed her elsewhere, not when it came to mapping routes, organizing gear, and preparing for the next adventure. From the bow seat, she offered thoughtful reflections on packing, camp food, and the details that make road trips memorable.
Tony
From the stern seat, Tony brought a steady hand and a wide-angle view of the canoe, his paddling partner, and the surrounding landscape. A lifelong paddler, Canoe52 gave him a way to experience the nation’s waterways more deeply.
A teacher and historian, he was drawn to the natural, built, and cultural stories of each place. He also enjoyed discovering local food, highlighting anything #historynerdy, and sharing lessons from the aft of the canoe.
Rigby
Rigby was a sweet Portuguese Water Dog and a true companion on the early Canoe52 adventures. True to her breed’s name, she loved the water and was rarely content unless she was in the canoe, turning her white paws brown at every opportunity.
She was equal parts campsite watchdog and affectionate shadow, happiest when playing fetch or climbing on top of her humans after a long day on the river. Rigby paddled alongside us for many of the first 25 states and remains an unforgettable part of the Canoe52 story.
CONTACT
We’re always looking for suggestions on where to go next. If you have suggestions for places to paddle or beautiful bodies of water in your home state, let us know. You can drop us a line on our Contact page.
