It's been a LONG, LONG time!

This board and its active members were a godsend back in 2003 when I was planning my first-ever BWCA trip. I've, occasionally, perused the boards since then but have mostly disappeared as the pain is too great. Despite the hardships during that trip, I fell in love with the BWCA. Visiting this board brings much sadness knowing that I've only been able to go back once since then. Unfortunately, that trip, too, proved to be disastrous but in completely different ways (It ended at the Anchor Bar in Superior and me being hauled out by two guys I didn't know in order to avoid getting into a knock-down, drag-out fight with one of the guys from my trip.)

For those who need a reminder, I am the girl that had the six-inch hole in her canoe. The trip report that I wrote left y'all hanging for a few years. lol When I finally came back to wrap my story up, I thought I had found "the one". Unfortunately, he proved me wrong and I am still single to this day.

My last serious relationship ended four years ago. While hot air ballooning, I was run over by a vehicle and had both legs squished (Thankfully, no broken bones.) It was winter time and my boyfriend and I shared a deep passion for snowboarding. We had a trip to Montana and another to Tahoe planned. Unfortunately, that accident left me unable to walk, much less snowboard, for three months. He realized this very quickly and left me stranded in the ER. Good riddance, huh? So, anyway...

I am back on here in hopes of finding help. To those of you that are BWCA junkies or even just outdoor lovers, do you have any ideas how I can find that man? Seriously. I belong to a few groups on Meetup.com and run my own, the Twin Cities Social Club. My group has over 1100 members! Yet, today, I found a great deal on Deal Chicken for a BWCA package (I figured it'd be a nice change to have an outfitter do all the work.) I emailed the folks in my group and only two people expressed interest. TWO.

I have vacation in September and really hoped to return, especially since my other two trips were in May. That and now a member of my group has offered me his deal that he purchased quite a while ago. He has since realized he has no desire to go to the BWCA or even camp. So sad...

Last winter, I did the same for an Apostle Islands getaway. I had two guys step up and we bought the package. We went this past weekend but one had to reschedule due to a last-minute conflict. The trip was almost perfect. The downside being the guy who joined me. We had an incredible time! We paddled beautifully together in a tandem kayak, shared a tent for three nights and never once did he cross the line, enjoyed great conversations, laughed til it hurt, and, overall, got along splendidly. However, there was no "spark", at least not on my end. Could that ignite down the road? I don't know. Do you? They say friendship is the best foundation for a relationship.

I am so frustrated. Why is it so hard to find an outdoorsy guy in these parts? I'd give up altogether but I do not feel comfortable paddling a lake solo. Heck, I still haven't even camped solo yet. That was the plan in early July. However, I changed my mind at the last minute, mainly because I couldn't have a campfire and I'm scared to use my stove.

I've tried MN Rovers but their members seem to be a bit older than my preference of 30-45. I go to the Midwest Mountaineering Expos. I snowboard locally and alone. Chairlift conversations are great but then NOTHING. I'm, also, on a few dating websites but I do not attract the outdoorsy, athletic guys. I get the older, or overweight, or "nerdy" ones that desire to be more outdoorsy and athletic. I'm too old to start training now! I want a guy who's already there and will challenge me even more. Someone who's willing to travel and share in adventures around the world. There are so many places I want to visit, explore, paddle, and snowboard.

So, that's it. I'm throwing it out there. If you can offer insight in any way, shape, or form, please do not hesitate to post and do not worry about offending me. I may cry but I will get over it, especially if it will help. Obviously, there are certain things I cannot change like the way I look (I don't think I'm ugly.) and the few extra pounds I may be carrying will go away once I become more active.

If you want to see my picture, you can visit the Twin Cities Social Club's website. You'll see me there on the left as the Organizer.

Thank you and my fingers are crossed you'll give me a new sense of direction. I really want to see Johnson Falls before the end of the year.