Tom is a wayward city boy who does the inconceivable when he embarks on a solo canoe adventure in the Boundary Waters wilderness. He makes some nefarious acquaintances along the way. They lead him astray and endanger his life, but eventually he preservers to explore the wilderness, discovering it's everything he's dreamed of and more; incredible scenery, wildlife, and world-class fishing.Alone, surrounded by natures order, he confronts his turbulent childhood and the self-destructive forces that shape his decadent lifestyle. He's desperately seeking to change, but uncertainty and doubt command his life.He befriends a family of strangers, and shares the camaraderie of fathers, sons, brothers and friends, discovering the quintessential family bonds he's never known. Driven by a power larger than the sum of his life, he sets his sights for home, but a wicked storm blocks his retreat until he's forced to strike out against insurmountable odds.