Zac Durant: On The River

Last weekend, the Durant family set off for a long-anticipated canoe trip on the Saco River, paddling through the peaceful stretches near Conway. We’ve been coming up to Eastern Slopes since 1996 for the annual father son camping trip with the cul-de-sac gang, but that tradition had lapsed over a decade back.

The day was meant to be relaxing — just the eight of us: my father Tom, my sister Rachelle and fiancé Stephen, my brother Jake, my girlfriend Sargol and two unusual but beloved companions — our big ole Anatolian Shepherd, Herc, and his unlikely feline sidekick, Maverick, a tiger-striped tabby with the heart of a lion. Herc and Maverick, both just over a year old, came onto our small farm last year along with their late brother Goose. They both felt the loss and this trip was meant to help heal all around.