Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was two years young when Laurie Chandler embarked on a unique journey. After trekking its panoramic peaks on the International Appalachian Trail, she traded her hiking boots for a solo canoe. Taking the long way round, the author followed age-old waterways into the upper watershed of the Penobscot River’s East Branch, then descended its wild waters and quiet byways through the heart of the monument. Hers is a story of shared discovery, highlighting the region’s rich history and natural wonders.