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Yep Doug, I have, and I though it obvious that I was pulling a few legs.

The problem with crossing an ocean is a matter of equipment and experience, and a reason.

The other problem with the "accidental fisherman" kind of colonist is the notion that he would then sail back and tell everyone "Hey guys....guess what I found?"

So, that implies that a colony needs women and tools and enough of a population base to sustain itself if some guy has a hunting accident. I'm a lot more comfortable with the idea of whole groups coasting along following the seals or whatever and eventually ending up in Oregon in a slow process.

The question that then arises is, would they suddenly abandon their way-of-life and move inland or would they keep following the coast?

I'll go with that Min. It's precisely my point with New Zealand. But coast creeping is a dangerous pastime. Ships sink as you said, but most sink by running into land, not in the open sea.

The other problem with the "accidental fisherman" kind of colonist is the notion that he would then sail back and tell everyone "Hey guys....guess what I found?"

So, that implies that a colony needs women and tools and enough of a population base to sustain itself if some guy has a hunting accident. I'm a lot more comfortable with the idea of whole groups coasting along following the seals or whatever and eventually ending up in Oregon in a slow process.

The question that then arises is, would they suddenly abandon their way-of-life and move inland or would they keep following the coast?

I agree, Min.

I think it was progressive, not all at once. I think our ancestors ventured out a little bit more at a time, and "reported back" (continents, islands, currents, wildlife, etc...).

As to the choice of lifestyles, if populations grew to large enough numbers, some may have ventured inland.

Ships sink

True....but "ships" may be a bit grandiose for what I'm envisioning. More like dugout canoes or kayaks with maybe a raft or two thrown in to carry the gear! Still, I'm sure it was dangerous enough. Would you eagerly hunt a pissed-off walrus with a rock-tipped spear from a kayak? Sounds like a solid way to get oneself killed.

Yes Min, but people actually did hunt in that way, the Portuguese till just recently, and as pointed out earlier, a dug out or raft is pretty well unsinkable. Take a look at the type of craft the Maoris used, with plenty of spare lashing material to hold it all together it was far more sea worthy than Cook's ship.

I'm sure they did.

All I'm saying is that I'd rather have a machine gun than flint-tipped spear to do it.

I'm from the Dick Cheney school of hunting. Tie the animal to a tree and blow it away from a safe distance!

I love you Min! Without you I'd have no one to argue with! Your above statement reminds me of the recipe for Rabbit stew. 'First catch your Rabbit'.

This is for Michelle.....I found it while getting the other picture.

LOL

Thanks Min! I love it!

I knew you would.

One more, Michelle.....


Dick Cheney's new kitten!

Digit wrote:Yep Doug, I have, and I though it obvious that I was pulling a few legs.

Sorry Digit, I blame being on dialup right now, I don't spend enough time reading when I'm on dialup instead of my broadband at home.
Doug