ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Peter Frank, a 23-year-old adventurer from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has embarked on an extraordinary journey. Setting off in June, he has paddled to Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay in his 1982 Sawyer Loon decked canoe, covering significant ground but still facing a long road—or rather, waterway—ahead.
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Frank is attempting to complete the Great Loop, a roughly 6,000-mile (9,656-kilometer) continuous water route that spans the Atlantic and Gulf intracoastal waterways, the Great Lakes, Canada’s Heritage Canals, and various inland rivers. His voyage is not just an adventure but a deeply personal quest to celebrate life after surviving a near-fatal car accident nearly a decade ago.
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A Journey of Gratitude
The car accident that left Frank with 14 broken bones nearly paralyzed him. Reflecting on his recovery, he says, “It’s my form of showing appreciation for being alive and being able to walk and do the things I can do.” His expedition also serves another purpose: sharing his experiences through his blog and connecting with people along the way.
“I feel a responsibility to document what I experience for those who can’t or dream of it,” Frank says.
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Life on the Water
Traveling between six and ten hours daily, Frank’s canoe carries supplies in its hollowed shell. At night, he often camps by the water, though blog readers sometimes invite him into their homes. He’s equipped for the elements with vintage and self-made gear, including quilted pants he sewed himself for extra warmth.
To power his electronics, Frank relies on 10 portable power banks, which weigh nearly 25 pounds. “I find that 10 is a good amount to keep me charged on GPS, radio, cameras, and phone battery,” he says. A solar panel serves as a backup.
Despite his resourcefulness, Frank travels light on self-defense gear, carrying only a pocket knife and filet knife. His strategy focuses on awareness and preparation.
“In the long run, anything beyond my control isn’t something I can prevent with gear,” he explains.
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Sustenance and Support
As an Eagle Scout, Frank was well-prepared for his journey. He dehydrated and vacuum-sealed game meat and ground beef for the trek. To fund his travels, he writes for magazines and accepts donations via his blog’s “Rotisserie Chicken Fund,” where supporters can contribute to his grocery bills.
“Every now and then, somebody will send me $20 online, which helps a lot,” he says.
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An Adventurous Spirit
This isn’t Frank’s first daring trip. At 19, he unicycled across the U.S. for charity. He has also explored Florida by canoe, a journey that took 11 months. The Great Loop, however, presents his most formidable challenge yet.
While the route is popular among seasoned boaters, completing it in a canoe is rare—and Frank has chosen the harder clockwise direction, which involves paddling against river currents for over 25% of the journey.
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Charting New Waters
Frank launched his expedition on June 27 from Escanaba, Michigan. He paddled into Canada, crossed Lake Ontario, and journeyed south through New York City, passing the Statue of Liberty. However, not all of his route was pre-planned. He relied on his own navigation to find portages not mentioned in existing guides.
Frank hopes to create a guidebook to fill these gaps and is considering writing an autobiography about his experiences.
“I’d like to write a guide and a story about a young man finding himself in a world he doesn’t fully understand yet,” he says.
Living with Less
Frank’s minimalist lifestyle allows him to sustain his travels on a tight budget. He estimates that his previous expeditions cost less than $1,000.
“Contrary to what most people think, it doesn’t cost a tremendous amount to travel,” he says. “Through struggles, I’ve developed the capacity to enjoy less, and as a result, I live well with little.”
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A Voyage of Discovery
For Frank, the Great Loop is as much about self-discovery as it is about adventure. “These expeditions are not only my college and my education, but they’re also my form of worship,” he says.
The journey is expected to take about 17 months, with a natural deadline looming: the freezing of lakes he must cross.
“I would say nature is my biggest competitor,” Frank admits.
As he paddles forward, Frank carries not only the weight of his supplies but also the spirit of resilience and gratitude, inspiring those he meets along the way.
