After three years of walking and skiing and kayaking and sailing from Germany to Canada, Katharina Kneip rested in Almonte over Christmas before continuing her walk around the world (as reported in the Millstone previously). After leaving Almonte on Saturday, December 27th, she arrived in Renfrew on Monday afternoon, December 29th.
Having heard about Katharina’s amazing journey, Mike and Adele Boire, formerly from Mississippi Mills and now residents of Renfrew, offered her a place to stay. Mike reported that in the mid-afternoon of the Monday before New Years, he and Adele watched her approach their house pulling her sled behind her. Following a backyard greeting, her sled was lifted into their sheltered porch to allow for some unpacking and relaxing after her trip walking and skiing from the Arnprior area. Mike quickly found out just how heavy the sled was with its contents of food, tent, sleeping bag, extra clothes and cooking utensils.
In light of the cold, wet, icy weather conditions, and the approaching New Year celebration, they invited Katharina to stay for three nights. She agreed and planned to renew her westward journey early on New Year’s day Thursday morning. This longer stay allowed them, together with friends, to have a relaxed and measured time in conversation about a broad range of topics focused on travel in Canada and across the wider world.
Mike observed that, “Katharina has a unique and creative way of understanding about how people communicate and exist as societies and communities. Her training in Fine Arts together with resilience as a walker or on skis and a crew member under sail across the northern line of habitation give insights that are quite remarkable and special in a world that is so often overwhelmed by efficiency and speed.”
During the last evening with Katharina, there were moments of sharing food and drinks with a small gathering in their home. Katharina was able to complete a lengthy chat with her family back in Germany through social media. As well, calls were made to connect her with contacts in support of her westward travel through the Ottawa Valley.
Mike said their experience hosting Katharina, “served to demonstrate how a walker, looking for a place to pitch a tent or find shelter from a storm, will give space for generosity and care about others from afar – even better if you can offer a warm space to share a hot drink.”
“Following hot porridge and coffee” Mike said, “we exchanged hugs and walked her to the rail trail for the continuation of her westward journey. She has left us with an interesting legacy relating to her project and has prompted us to renew ways of understanding and engaging with the world.”
Katharina is skiing toward Pembroke in the coming days and into Sudbury by the end of the month. She would welcome a warm bed on her winter journey to Winnipeg (and beyond). Anyone with a friend along the route willing to offer her space on the floor for her air mattress could let Don know at dfnjohnston@gmail.com . For more on Katharina’s journey be sure to follow her on her on Facebook at round:motion.
