This forum was established to inform and facilitate discussion about the Boundary Waters
Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota and the Quetico Park in Ontario, Canada. This forum
was established on October 26th, 1998.
I'm driving a minivan alone to Ely around the 19 of June (dates negotiable)...and driving home on Sunday June 24.
Lets save some gas & money !
Drop me an email.
Ed
Has anyone been there? Going to Kawnipi at the end of June and would like to do a day trip. Have heard conflicting reports of a portage to this lake, or at least an old portage. Just not sure where it is?
all the cool stories on the "lost portages". looked diligently for them on two different trips. -0-. the deal is "go up the creek".
as you'll gather from reading recent posters on their trips in that area....there is so much to see and do there. a day trip to the lake is worth it though . have a good trip...lm
I was there in July 2005. We went up the creek. There were only 2 short portages and a lift-over (right at the lake). We saw a Great Gray Owl on the creek and moose plus an eagle on the lake. Fishing was quite active for northerns & smallmouth. We never did make it down to the southwestern corner to look for the old portage from Kawnipi. Check out Quiet Journey for a description of this supposed portage.
I was in at Wood Lake earlier in the week and I didn't think the bugs were too bad. Very few skeeters, a few more black flies and a fair # of ticks. The ticks seemed to prefer my wife by about 3:1. Don't know about water levels out of Mudro but they seemed fine where I went (Wood, Hula, Good, Basswood, Indiana).
Good luck!
Tim
I’ve spent many years in the Boundary Waters and Quetico, had have had a great time doing it. Every year, the trip is usually better than the last. This past fall, I took a trip with Mark, Chms, Dave, Dan and Chris to Kawnipi Lake via the Falls Chain. This trip almost didn’t happen, but I’m glad it did, and I’m glad I went with the guys mentioned above. It was by far…………one of the BEST trips I’ve taken in Quetico or the Boundary Waters.
SmallieSaver was supposed to be my trip partner, but he had to back out 1 week before the trip, so I asked Mark if he could fill in, and guess what…………as usual, he was game. So it was set. Mark, who had fantastic fishing that previous spring in an area not to be mentioned, would be my partner. We’d gone on a couple trips in the past together, so I had no issues with him being my trip partner.
The drive up was pretty uneventful, and as usual was stopped at the Trail Center for dinner, before heading to Superior North and the bunkhouses
Day 2: Friday, September 1st, 2007 Cache Bay to Wet Lake
Weather was perfect for traveling. There was NO wind, and we managed to get the first tow to Hook Island. Things were definitely looking good for this trip.
I had been through Cache Bay, over Silver Falls, and into the Falls Chain on a couple of other trips, so I knew what to expect. The only thing that bothered me was our canoe. Instead of renting a lighter Kevlar canoe, Mark and I chose to use my Old Towne Penobscot canoe. The canoe worked flawlessly, and thankfully, Mark is a portage hound, and took the canoe on most of the portages.
As a group, we decided to carry food separately, so I had all the food for Mark and me, and 1/3 of the community food. This made for a pretty heavy food pack, which would fall on my shoulders.
On this trip, we decided to take it easy going in, and had planned on camping on Wet Lake. This would split the trip to Kawnipi Lake into a two day affair. Our plans included MONSTER steaks, baked potatoes, and baked onions, as we have done on most of our past trips. I have never taken MONSTER steaks this far into the park, and am not sure I will do it again, but they were fantastic that first night.
We chose the campsite just before the wet lake portage. I would have much rather taken the campsite right next to the falls, but we figured finding wood for a fire would be tough. We had also heard from the ranger that they have had bear issues in the past. We decided the Wet Lake portage campsite was the better choice. The campsite was probably a 1 star campsite, if that. This site was ugly, with no real good tent pads, and was pretty much rocky everywhere.
We quickly setup camp, started a “white man’s fire” and started prepping the steaks, potatoes and onions.
After dinner, a couple of the guys went fishing, but I chose to hit the hay a little early, as I was dog tired, and knew tomorrow would be a tough day also.
Day 3: Saturday, September 2nd, 2007 Wet Lake to Kawnipi
Again, weather was picture perfect. Low humidity, no wind, and temps in the upper 60’s and low 70’s. And most of all…………..NO BUGS. This was another perfect day for traveling in Quetico. By this time, Mark, Dave, and Chms all had their fishing gear out and ready to go. My gear was still packed, as I did not plan on fishing until I arrived on Kawnipi. This was to be the theme for my trip the entire week. I was taking it easy. I was not counting the fish I caught. I was not weighing the fish I caught……….unless I thought it was over 3lbs. I was not in any competition with anyone. Numbers did not matter to me. This was going to be a different type of trip for me. For once, I wanted to leave the park feeling better than I arrived.
The portages up the Fall Chain are not too bad. A couple long portages, and the portage around Canyon Falls is kind of ugly, but for the most part all were quite manageable.
Mark and Dave fished all around the water falls on the Falls Chain going in. They managed to catch some fish, but most were small smallmouth bass.
We reached Kawnipi Lake by Noon, and started fishing towards our campsite. This is where I got out my fishing gear and started fishing. This was a first for me………normally my stuff is out, rigged, and ready to go. Again, I was taking it easy, so there was no hurry.
By the time I had geared up my equipment Mark had already caught a couple nice smallies and a few walleye. Fishing was starting out good, and the fact that we were catching walleye would mean this was going to be a good eating trip, if nothing else.
After a few hours of fishing…………we decided we’d better get to the area we planned on base camping for the remainder of the week. The first campsite, a 5 star site, was taken. We went to our second choice, which was another 5 star campsite on an island. Someone on www.canoecountry.com had told us about this site, and it was in fact a 5 star campsite.
The island campsite we had chose, had 3 different levels, with 3 different fire rings, and many tent pads. The tent pads we used, were on top of a hill on the island, and laid out pretty good. All the pads were covered with pine needles, which made sleeping much more comfortable, but that was NOT an issue for me. On this trip, I was trying out my new Big Agnes Air Core mattress, and it is by FAR the best pad I have ever used. The mattress is super light, super comfortable, and SUPER easy to setup. Time will tell if I continue to use it though, as it seems to be more fragile than my thermarest.
The campsite also was laid out pretty good around the main fire ring. There were lots of sitting logs, and a great windbreak for the fire. The fire pit was built up like an oven, with sides that were perfect for laying a wire grate over. This would for great for grilling fish later in the week. Also, within the “kitchen area” there were “shelves” built out of the rock for storing stoves, utensils, etc, etc, and the final touch were granite tables for prep and cooking. This was INDEAD a 5 star campsite, and would be our home for the next 5 days.
For dinner, we had BWCA pizzas, which QPASSAGE had told me how to make. Man, were they good. To make them, simply brown a flour tortilla, add some pizza sauce, throw on some mozzarella string cheese, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning, and fold in half. Once the cheese melts, they are done. We ended up making 15 or so of these, using up 3 bags of pizza sauce, and 60 pieces of pepperoni. I’m fairly sure they were a hit with the guys, and will be making trips in the future.
After dinner, we sat around a nice bug-less fire. The fall is definitely the best time of year to have this type of trip. In fact, I’m thinking it may be the best time of year to have ANY trip. You can run into some cooler weather, but on all the fall trips I’ve been on, I have not run into any bug issues. If you don’t like the bugs, then the fall is the time for you.
Day 4: Sunday, September 3rd, 2007 In search of Lakers
The day started with a quick breakfast. Most everyone had oatmeal, as that is a staple for us. Mark and I had Raisin Bran Crunch cereal, with whole instant milk. The whole instant milk is pretty good, and worked well with cereal. I don’t think I would take it on trips in the summer, but for fall or early spring trips, were you can get some cold water, this is a great addition, and adds some variety to the breakfast plans.
I had talked to Dan, Chris, and Mark about trying to catch some Lake Trout on this trip. Everyone agreed, and we figured this would be the day to do it. I had heard of a fantastic Lake Trout lake 1 portage off of Kawnipi, so that is where we figured we’d find them. I had also heard the cut around Rose Island was good for catching Lake Trout, but that would have to wait for another time.
I was certain the Lake Trout lake I had heard about was Anubis Lake……….so after breakfast, we headed to Anubis is search of the mighty tasty Lake Trout.
The portage into Anubis Lake was an easy, but rocky 80 rod, flat portage. On the Anubis side of the lake, Mark, mentioned that the lake didn’t look like any Lake Trout lake he had ever seen. This would be the case. We looked for a deep hole in this lake for a couple hours. We did manage to catch lots of smallies, a couple walleye, and some northern pike, but obviously, this was not a Lake Trout lake.
CRAP……………what a busted trip. I was totally bummed out. Not only that, I’d lead these guys on a wild goose chase, with nothing to show.
Tempers flared, cooler heads prevailed, and we headed back to camp. Since this was going to be a fish eating night, we now had to catch a couple fish for dinner, and this would prove to be no easy task……….You can NEVER catch them when you need to. We did manage to catch a couple smallies to clean, and Dan and Chris also caught a couple, so as long as Dave and Chms brought back some fish for themselves, we’d be set.
Dave and Chms did, in fact manage to catch some fish. They brought back 4 really nice, eater sized walleye. Chms and Mark cleaned all the fish, while Chris and Dan started working on a nice fire for the night. We were about to have a feast of stove top stuffing, mashed potatoes with country ham, and smallmouth bass and walleye. AND we did have a TON of fish.
I always worry about catching too much fish, and wasting it, which I thought was going to happen this night. Instead, Mark and I decided to fry it ALL up, and eat some of it the next day for lunch. The night time lows were getting down to upper 30’s to lower 40’s so we didn’t fear it keeping through the night. We used the KFC frying mix to finish up the fish, and I will tell you now, that was one of the BEST lunches I’ve had in the boundary waters. Instead of peanut butter and jelly for lunch, we had fish nuggets, which were fantastic.
On day 5, we decided to spend the ENTIRE day going to Kawa Bay.
The morning started off with a nice blueberry pancake and bacon breakfast. It was nice eating some decent food. Over the past 3 or 4 trips, I’ve started taking MUCH better food into the park. After all………..this is vacation. The food DEFINITELY added some significant weight to our packs, but all in all, I think having good food was worth the extra weight.
As stated earlier…….my whole plan for this trip was to kick back, search out the pictographs, fish for some Lake Trout, and take it easy. While we paddled all day, and pretty much spent only a little time, fishing, it was a great idea. I was looking for some sign of where the old Indian village would have been, and could only imagine what it would have been like 100 or 200 years ago.
We did manage fishing some on this daytrip, and I used my fish finder quite a few times to find humps, and cuts in the bays. Every time Mark and I found one of these spots, we fished it, looking for a MONSTER smallie or walleye.
Kawnipi Lake is huge, and there are tons of spots to catch fish. Smallies, Walleye and Northern are abundant in the lake. I also hear you can catch Lake Trout up around the Rose Island area, but I’m not too sure about that. Mark and I hit some of the areas he had fished the previous spring. We had limited success on jerk baits, and better success on jigs and tubes. While Mark and I fished tube jigs and bitsy bug jigs all week, Chris and Dan stayed with jerk baits, and Chms and Dave fished a combination of both.
Mark and I fished the rest of the day, finding some decent areas, and catching 20 or 30 smallmouth bass in the 1 to 2 lb range. We also caught a few walleye, and some northern pike, but not many.
Everyone arrived back in camp around 6:00 or 7:00pm, and we started dinner. Dinner would be cheesy chicken enchiladas, with a healthy dousing of nacho cheese, and chipotle Tabasco sauce. After dinner, we hung around the fire, talked about the fishing, and planned for the next day.
Day 6: Tuesday, September 5th, 2007 Easy Day on Kawnipi
The weather was still FANTASTIC. We had only a couple sprinkles so far for the week. Mark and I had been busting it pretty hard the last couple days, so it was decided that we would stay close to the campsite and use the fish finder to fish humps, islands, etc, etc. Mark was pretty good about this all week, and I really appreciated it. He is an AVID fisherman, and would fish 18 hours a day if anyone would go with him. I really needed a day to wind down, so we pretty much took it easy.
We started the day with a quick breakfast of oatmeal and coffee.
After breakfast, we looked at the maps, and picked a couple places around the islands to fish. We were really planning on using the fish finder. I wanted to try to mark humps, and ridgelines, and try to find submerged reefs.
Everywhere we found some submerged stuff, we caught fish. In a couple places, we started figuring out some patterns, and determined the fish were suspending around 12 ft, in depths of 15 – 18 ft. After figuring this out, we targeted those types of areas, and managed to catch some pretty decent fish.
Along a grass line with access to deep water, we found a submerged reef, and managed to catch some of the larger smallies for the week.
After doing this for 4-5 hours, we headed back to camp for lunch. Lunch today was to be chicken quesadillas. As I was prepping lunch, Dan and Chris arrived, and I asked them if they wanted to join us. Chris had some extra Tyson chicken, which we added to the pot.
If you’ve never done the quesadillas in the boundary waters, you really need to try them. They are fantastic. To make them, you use 2 packages of foil chicken and 1 pack of chicken fajihita mix, some nacho cheese, and some flour tortilla shells. Cook the chicken and fajihita mix, until it is warm, then simply brown a tortilla, and add the mix to 1 side of the tortilla, add nacho cheese, and fold over. Top it all off with some Tabasco sauce.
After lunch, I took a nap.
When I woke up, it was time for dinner. Imagine that.
For dinner, we had red beans and rice, with country ham, and summer sausage. In the past, we used the shelf stable ham, which you can find with the foil pouch chicken, but for some reason, they stopped making it. We figured country ham would be just as good. After trying it, we realized it was not. We ended up packing out about 8 lbs of country ham, which is STILL, 9 months later……….in my cupboard.
After dinner, we sat around the fire, talking about the day, making plans for the next day, smoking cigars, and MOSTLY, enjoying the lack of mosquitoes.
Mark and I broke out the maps. After looking closely it was decided, that we needed to search for Lake Trout again. Dan, Chris, Mark, and I would try to catch some Lake Trout and Dave and Chms were headed to McKenzie Lake on a daytrip. On the maps I brought, we found a small lake called Keewatin Lake. This lake is up near Rose Island, and had to be the lake Yellowbird, and others on www.canoecountry.com had told me about. Plans were made, and I went to bed. I was TIRED.
Day 7: Wednesday, September 6th, 2007 In search of Lakers - Remix
Since we were planning a long day, we had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, and headed out. Again, weather was perfect. Light winds would help push us to Rose Island. This is always a good thing.
Keewatin was going to be at least a 2 hour paddle from our campsite, so we decided to get an early start. The plan was to bust it to Keewatin, fish for some Lake Trout, and then bust it back.
Well, it really didn’t work out that way. Mark and I fished lots of main lake points, and trolled a little around Rose Island. We managed to catch some smallies, and a couple walleye trolling crank baits, but no Lake Trout. I had heard you could catch Lake Trout between Rose Island, and the West shore of Kawnipi, but we had no success.
Fishing our way up to Rose Island, and trolling the backside took about 4 hours. We ran into Dan and Chris on the back side of Rose island, and decided to eat lunch. They told us about the bear the saw on the shore. The bear was foraging in a log maybe looking for honey, which was pretty cool. After lunch, we decided to hit the portage, and get into Keewatin, in search of some Lake Trout.
The portage into Keewatin is not too bad, but rocky. I would say it was an average 80 rod portage for the park.
Keewatin definitely looks like a Lake Trout lake. I gave Chris and Dan some lures I figured would work for Lake Trout, and Mark used a Hair Jig bounced off the bottom. This is where my fish finder really paid off. While I think we would have still caught fish without it, we DEFINITELY found very specific areas that held concentrations of lake trout. Mark hooked up first, but I fumbled the landing, and let a nice 4-5 lb trout get away. Then I hooked up while trolling a crank bait. Since I had the fish finder, and had located a really nice submerged reef, I pointed out the area to Dan and Chris, and they trolled the area, looking for trout.
After 20 or 30 minutes, or so, Dan hooked up with a MONSTER trout, probably 10 pounds or bigger. When the trout saw the canoe, it made a run, and that was that. Everyone hooked up with trout, and after 1 or 2 hours of trout fishing, we had 3 eater sized trout. Not a ton of fish, but enough to have a nice trout dinner. On the way back to the portage, I trolled past the reef 1 last time, and hooked up with a NICE 5 or 6lb trout. Now, we DEFINITELY had enough fish for all 6 of us.
Officially, I think I was breaking some laws. Dan and Chris had given their fish to me because we were going to clean and dress them before heading back. While they had caught fish, and we had caught fish, I was carrying ALL the fish. If a ranger had checked us, I’m not too sure I would have been able to talk myself out of a ticket. This is definitely something to think about in the future. I’d hate to get a game violation and risk getting permits in the future over a simple misunderstanding like this.
While I started getting our stuff ready, Mark cleaned and gutted the lake trout. It was this time that I realized the wind had shifted, and was now blowing from the north east. We would be fighting a headwind back to camp. Not only had the wind changed, but the temperature started to drop. It had dropped nearly 10 degrees in an hour, and was still dropping. A quick glance at the clouds made me realize we were in for a FUN paddle back. Mark and I paddled nonstop, at about a 4 mph pace to get back to camp. It was a tough paddle back to camp, but well worth the trip.
Back at camp, Dan and Chris had started a nice fire, which would be used to bake the lake trout. Everyone started working together to get dinner ready, as we only had 30 or 40 minutes before the rains would start. Chms and I prepared the trout, seasoning some with blackening, and others with lemon pepper, and then squirting olive oil butter inside and out, and then finally wrapping in tin foil.
For side dishes, we added stove top stuffing, and mashed potatoes. By this time, all the potatoes were made without the ham, as the ham was being blamed for some intestinal issues with ALL members of the trip………….OOPS.
Dinner around the campfire was GREAT. The rains held out, which was good, because everyone wanted to sit around the campfire and talk, which we did. Cigars were smoked, platys were skinned, and lies were told. Everyone was in agreement though. This was one of the BEST trips ever. Too bad, it was coming to an end. This was our last night on Kawnipi. He had planned on spending 2 days getting out of Kawnipi just like we had coming in.
This was the only night that it really rained all week. While it was not a huge storm, it did rain throughout the night.
Day 8: Thursday, September 7th, 2007 Leaving Kawnipi
For the third morning on this trip………….we ate like kings, and had blueberry pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Like I said earlier, we had GOOD food, on this trip. Sure, it weighed a TON, and SURE, we were packing some out, namely 5 or 6 pounds of country ham. Bottom line though, I don’t think anyone complained about the food. It was good, and worth the extra weight. And now, it was all gone.
Chms and Dave had decided to fish back to Saganagons. Dan, Chris, Mark, and I would also fish back, but not a lot. We fished the falls, and some of the running water on the way back, but for the most part, we wanted to get to Saganagons to setup our 1 day campsite.
This was definitely the coolest day we’d had on the trip so far. But we were in for MUCH cooler weather for the next couple days. In the morning, the highs were in the mid to upper 40’s and I don’t think the temp for the day got much above 70. The weather was definitely shifting, the fishing was shutting down, and I was satisfied with what we had accomplished. Even though there was not as much fishing, and I had caught many, MANY more fish on other trips, this was a fantastic trip.
We arrived at the Saganagons campsite around 5:00pm. Dan and I stayed in camp, while Chris and Mark went out fishing. They caught some fish, but not many. The tide was changing, and changing for the worse. The temps had fallen off some more, and now it was probably mid 50’s to low 60’s if THAT. Dan, Mark, Alan, and I had used this campsite a couple years prior, and we felt it was the best one of the island campsites on the Falls Chain side of Saganagons.
Dave and John found their way to our campsite by around 6:00 or 7:00pm, and I started dinner. For dinner, we had Cheesy Jambalaya, with summer sausage.
As the weather changed, we were all thankful there was no fire ban. Again, after dinner, we all sat around the fire, talking about the trip, lying about those MONSTER smallies we caught, and listening to Mark talk about that magical place………#########.
Day 9: Friday, September 8th, 2007 Leaving Saganagons
Now, it was getting COLD. When we got up Friday morning, the weather had definitely shifted into fall, and not the summer-like pattern we had experienced all week. We were headed to our First Bay campsite for today. This would again, be a very leisurely day for us. The fishing was done, our trip was done, and I was done…………
After a quick breakfast of oatmeal, we broke camp, and headed to Saganaga. We only had 2 portages left for the trip. Unfortunately, they were 2 of the longest of the trip. The Dead Man’s portage from upper Saganagons to Lower Saganagons, is an easy 80 rod portage, and cuts off 5 or 6 hours of paddling. The last portage is Silver Falls. While Silver Falls is not really a HARD portage, it is long, and has some fairly complex rock structures that can be tough, especially when wet. Fortunately, it was not raining.
Crossing the portages was uneventful, and the paddle out the chute to Cache Bay was also calm. And for once…………the wind was not blowing, Cache Bay was not rocking with 3 ft rollers, there were no whitecaps…….tow boats were not running up to Silver Falls to pick up clients. For the first time in MANY years, our paddle out of Cache Bay would be an easy paddle.
We like to use the First Bay campsite on Saganaga as an ending point because it is only an hour paddle to the pickup spot, and if you need to get some final fishing in, you can find LOTS of spots in First, Second, and Third Bay. All these spots can hold quality fish. This is why the area is one of my favorites.
At the First Bay campsite, I scrounged through the food pack, and found a box of red beans and rice and a box of cheesy jambalaya. We fired up both stoves, and cooked both. AND it was GOOD.
While I was prepping dinner, Mark and Chris went out to try some fishing. They, along with Dave and Chms, had very little luck. The fishing had turned for the worse, and the smallies, and everything else in the lake had lockjaw. When you cannot even tempt a northern, you know the fishing is DONE.
Another cold front was pushing in, and this one was DEFINITELY from the North. The temp dropped 20 degrees within an hour, and we were all looking forward to building a fire. Unfortunately, there would be NO fire this night. Chris, Mark, Dan and I had stopped by the Cache Bay ranger station to get souvenirs for the kids. While talking to the ranger, we were told they had enacted a fire ban the night before.
We woke up the 30 degrees, and one of the coldest mornings I have spent in the park. There was a layer of ice in my nalgene bottle…..proof of how cold it had gotten the night before. I was thankful, that I had a decent sleeping bag, and an insulated sleeping pad.
We had a quick breakfast of pop tarts, multigrain bars, and anything else we could find. Most of the food was gone. There were a couple packs of potatoes and about 5 pounds of country ham. Other than that……….the food was gone. We quickly broke camp, packed our gear, and headed to Hook Island for our pickup.
Our pickup, as ALWAYS, was on time, and we made it back to Superior North by 9:30am. After some quick showers, and packing of the trailer, we were on the road, headed to Grand Marais, and back home by 11:00am.
Another successful Quetico trip was added to the list.
This was again, one of my favorite trips. I was blessed to take my wife and kids on a cabin trip in the spring, and that was a GREAT success. Then, to take a fall trip with 5 other GREAT guys, and to have just as much success, and fun is really pretty good.
I’ve known all the guys in this group for at least 5 or 6 years, and have been on trips with Dave and Chms on and off for the past 10 years. Dan and Chris and I all work together……..and all of us have worked for Chms at one time or another. Needless to say, we all know each other rather well.
I truly enjoyed this trip, the friendships, the fishing, the food, and the area more the any other trip that I have taken into Quetico. I think finding a group that works, and UNDERSTANDING why that group works is a key to having successful trips.
I will go with ANY of these guys in the future, and I’m sure they feel the same. I cannot wait until the next time.
What happened to Geofisher.com??? It's not working for me. I always enjoy reading over your reports even though I've read em all probably at least a few times each. Like you I'm a hardcore angler and enjoy the pics and reports.
Thanks for a nice report. We spent some time around Rose Island in 2002 - we couldn't find lakers there but did find a bunch on Keewatin. We also enjoyed the pictos on Keewatin.
Geo, Thanks for the report. Being a fellow avid fisherman and planning on tripping to Kawnipi this summer, you have REALLY peaked my desire to get going. It's kinda' like dangling that wrapped present before the face of the desirous little child who can't wait to open presents. Arghh...still 1 month 28 days 5 hours 12 minutes and 5 seconds before departure (but who's counting)...
There is a fishing hole in front of the first campsite past the 100 rod portage. We had our best Wally luck by the islands next to the campsite by the portage to Gull. That is also a very nice campsite, so if you snag it you get bonus points. I'd avoid the 3 sites on your left as you come out of the Isabella river. We stayed at the middle one last year around this time, and it was pretty thick with skeeters, probably because of the swampy area behind it. We didn't fish there, but the narrows into Gabro are supposed to be a good fishing spot. The island campsite there looks like another good spot.
was very interesting to watch, as there was 4 people inside with
the wolves, they all seemed very social being petted and a good scratch
Having only seen one running down the trail at me, it realy showed
there size and height when a people were standing right next to them.
I would sure like the opportunity to go in with them.
The wolf care staff are in the enclosures (both Exhibit Pack and Retired Pack) every morning for wolf check. All the wolves were born in captivity and have been socialized. (Socialized, however, does not mean they are tame. They are still wolves. ) Grizzer and Maya (the gray wolves) were brought to the Center at around 12 days old. Shadow & Malik (the Arctics) spent their first few weeks with Nancy Gibson in the Cities, then moved to the Center in Ely.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to go in the enclosure with the wolves. The next best thing is to go "behind the scenes." During the summer months the Center has a program called "Behind the Scenes" at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings (also on Thursday mornings for Members only). You will observe the morning wolf check from the wolf yard (i.e., between the fences). It's great fun & good photo ops.
For all those who love the BWCA, I'm sure some have also been down the St. Croix River. I've been on the St. Croix down from Hwy 70 and loved it. The river is wide and deep (for a canoe).
I'm planning a 3 day trip down the St. Croix. Our floatilla (OD so it's only 3-4 canoes) will contain a mixture of novice and experienced (but no expert) paddlers. It's your typical father-son mixture. Everyone will be at least 14 years old.
I've heard there are two areas on the the river to watch for: the rapids where the Kettle and Snake river enter (between St. Croix State Park and Hwy 70) and near the Nevers Dam (some people have died there).
1: How bad are the rapids? Shoudl we plan to skip that section of the river? One map I saw listed them as Class 2, another Class I normally and Class II only at high water levels.
2: What is the problem at Never Dam? How easy is it to navigate around the problem? How dangerous is it? (There does not appear to be a portage around the area -- as there usually is in the BWCA).
I can't tellyou anything about the Kettle, Snake area, but the Nevers Dam is nothing to worry about unless you're swimming. Underwater currents and turbulence from the old structure not visible on the surface.The first campsite south of 70 on the west side is very nice. Steer clear of the Goose Creek campsite, lots of skeeters all the time. Gov. Knowles at Sunrise is nice, and you can get water there too.
I can't see how those rapids you mentioned would rate a class II-- the main channel does have some stretches of fast water, but nothing that requires great skill. I'd say Class I/I+ is more like it. If I recall, most of those rapids are fairly short (although the river is wide there). Just have your novices follow a more skilled boat, and make sure they kneel! You'll have no problems.
The Upper St. Croix is a remarkable river. We did 5 days from County T Landing down to 70, and it was great. Enjoy!
I decided the solitude offered me a great opportunity to practice my break dancing moves.
The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.
.... just as an experienced woodsperson notices the tell-tale signs of an approaching storm, I started noticing this situation developing about a month or so ago. Just little things to start with, similar to a freshening breeze, an increase in humidity. Small signs which many would overlook. When I got back to work on Tuesday, a few more ominous signs appeared. Meetings being hastilly called and shuffled -- like the grumblings of distant thunder.
Yesterday morning, when I first signed on to work, there was a new meeting notice from my manager, set at 11:00. In the comments field, she noted that she was going to be arriving in Rochester (she lives/works in Bethesda, MD) in the morning to meet with another manager and would like to also meet with me while she's in the neighborhood. Yeah right! I knew then that she was really in Rochester to meet with me. And, there was only one thing that would precipitate such a meeting. About 10:00, I received an instant message from her. She had arrived and would like to meet right away.
When I showed up at the appointed office, eyes that wouldn't meet mine belied her normal cheery smile. Pleasantries were quickly exchanged and she cut to the chase quickly. I could have told her what she had to say to me. "We're having a resource action and you've been selected" (talk about "positive spin"!). She continued with the details -- the same ones my previous manager had intoned to me last October. 30 days to find another job within IBM. If I haven't found another job within 30 days, I would be laid off. Generous separation package including severance pay, leave of absence/bridge to retirement, medical and life insurance coverage for a year, retraining allowance, etc.
She was probably more distraught and uneasy about the situation than I was. I'd seen the signs, knew what was likely to come, had already started formulating plans. She, on the other hand, is fairly new to management and hadn't had to deal with this kind of situation until recently.
This time around, my inclination is to take the package and run. Spend 2-3 months building the business. Then assess whether I need another day job or not -- and, what kind of job if I do. The leave of absence would end when I become "retirement eligible" at the end of October. I'll probably start drawing my pension -- such as it is -- at the beginning of next year. A job would only be needed to fill the gap between what the pension and business would cover and what we'd feel comfortable living on.
I've been on a portage like this before... all too recently. That one ended up in another big blue lake. This one's heading a different direction, I think. But, it's a well traveled portage and I'm better provisioned than most who have trod it before. I feel much more comfortable and prepared now than when I took the one last fall. Yes, there's some fear and trepidation but mostly excitement about what lies ahead. It feels like it's time to leave the big blue lakes behind and find a comfortable, cozy, intimate lake instead.
I'm not sure if condolences or congratulations are in order. A little of each most likely. Mostly, I just wanted to let you, many of whom are among my closest friends, to know what's going on in my life. I'll keep getting the mocs wet. I won't have a day job limiting what I can do with my life. I'll have financial constraints instead. They are usually more easilly dealt with. There's a new, unexplored spot of blue ahead. I've heard that the campsites are great there.
You are taking the right approach. These doors open for a reason and the blue ahead is going to be great for you. I hope the storm passes quickly with little to no impact and you find the peace and solitude you seek.
Like you said, not sure if congratulations or condoloences are in order. I think you are very well prepared for whatever happens and you have a good plan and route determined already on where you need to go.
See you along the portage-we are here to help carry a pack if necessary.
"When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known."
Sigurd F. Olson
........sorry to hear about this. The "positive spin" stuff sounds rather patronizing, but you are a professional, and accepted as such. Good for you. I wish you luck in deciding which path to go down.
Mike in Minneapolis
Everybody knows rock and roll acheived perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact.--- Homer Simpson
There is blue water again at the other end of the portage. I was in a similar situation about a year and a half ago when my company decided to outsource the IT group to another company (I won't mention the name but it has 3 letters it it, you may know them). It was scary trying to start over after 22 years with a company. I took a few months off and was able to find another job very quickly and am now making more than I was before. One big drawback was going from 6 weeks of vacation back to 3. I wasn't able to take a trip to the BW last year but am happy to report that I have one planned for August.
Good luck to you Nibi, I hope your portage is clear of fallen trees and other obstacles.
Sometimes we need a little push to go through the door we otherwise wouldn't have chosen, only to find out it was the best option for us all along.
I have to wonder if your business is really your ultimate destiny and all this that has gone before isn't just preparation.
My wife is in a similar situation. Not being laid off, but miserable at her current job, hours cut, etc. She has a business that she hasn't started up again since she moved to AL last year after we got married. I think that is her ultimate destiny as well, but it is hard to leave behind a steady paycheck for the uncertain world of home-based businesses.
Said all that to say: I understand what you are going through, and feel like your business mught be calling you...
Be thinking/praying about you and the decision you must make!
"Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
and a guy with the training and knowledge you have is in demand, except it may be outside of Minnesota. I just hope not too far outside of the BW at least. Good luck, Nibi!
Sorry for the news Larry. Seems like you've got the right attitude.
I've mentioned before that my employer, about 3 hours south of Rochester, has a LOT of openings for engineers, project managers, program managers, and operations managers. There are lots of options out there...
You've had your eyes on this portage for quite some time, and it sounds like the time is coming to explore it. As one who has taken up residence on the intimate pond of self-employment, I say "walk it, my friend!". We've found the financial constraints to be a far easier burden to bear than the burden of a once-certain future that becomes absolutely untrustworthy. You've given enough to the Big Blue Machine - time to put that kind of effort and resoluteness to good use. You have a much broader safety net than most who make this move - trust that Someone knows what he's doing and step out. Of course, all of this depends on a buy-in from Pat - if she's not for it, ignore the above.
If you need a paddle on a nearby scum pond, I have a hull and a set of ears that are available any time.
From my own experience I can tell you that leaving the work world was one of the best things that ever happened to me. My friends now call me a lazy unemployed sluffer, but hey, if the shoe fits. So far I have not had to go back to work and I am picking up enough side work in addition to my pension to make ends meet.
I now have the time to do what I want when I want and the only restriction is that I cannot be over spending on my hobbies. I will probably go back to work in a part time manner when the spirit moves me, but for now I am having a blast. In fact, since the Canadian Resort gig went south I have turned down no less than seven job offers. For example I am leaving tonight for a four day shakedown cruise on my new pop up camper. I will then leave June 17 for two weeks fishing in the Q and environs north of there. I will return to St. Louis for some dental work and then take off for a three month trek through Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
My suggestion is to take whatever measures that are necessary to live on the pension, business and the occasional part time gig and enjoy all that life has to offer. Trust me, it will fall into place. You will discover that the almighty paycheck is probably the least important thing in your life. Good friends, good times, wilderness experiences, and family all should take precedence in our lives. Life on this earth is most likely a one time experience so take time NOW to do what it is that really floats your boat (pun intended)while you still can. Time marches on and when our life ends is never clear. Seize the day, my friend.
Larry, sorry to hear of the hastle you have to go through. I'm confident you'll come out of this just fine. You're extremely talented and have lots of folks pulling for you. Keep us posted. Best of luck in your search. Rich
The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.
for many months. Your skills are keen; your awareness acute and muscles poised for use. The portage will be a challenge that you have been prepared for.
Travel with wisdom and safety until our padddles cross.
Love,
Kaitlyn
We traveled as the Voyageurs did by canoe, paddled the same lakes, ran the same rapids and packed over their ancient portages." Sig Olson The Lonely Land
Here is hoping that you end up on the right lake and that you enjoy the paddling and portaging ahead. I am looking forward to how things develop for you.
TB
"Every canoe trip, no mater how modest, is an adventure, because everyone is different"
It is great to keep up-to-date on each other's lives since we all have gotten to know one another. Good luck on this venture. It will be another trail leading to hopefully a beautiful campsite.
It might be weird and hard for awhile, but I have a good feeling about this.
I think you're going to write a book and be a featured columist in Canoe & Kayak and Canoe Roots. I think you'll be the new Cliff Jacobson! Like Grey Owl, you'll no longer be known by your real name but by Nibi Mocs. Children will come up to you and say, "Excuse me, Mr. Mocs, but will you sign my PFD?"
Yes, sir! I think Mrs. Mocs will have to keep a close eye on you. So I offer my support to Mrs, Mocs and say to her, "Best of Luck".
"Brain cells come, and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever."
...is getting the dead wood off the trail so you can get on to that next lake. And we're all here to help you clip off those useless branches. Sometimes it's hard to choose when there's a fork in the trail, but you've been working toward this for a long time, and you can do it. Our prayers go with you and Pat as you deal with these roots and rocks in the middle of your path.
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir
I have no doubt you'll find a lake suitable and to your liking. I think you have thrown enough stuff at the wall, I'm sure some will stick at this point. Best of luck! Not that you'll need it, but, it can't hurt when starting your own business. Like Rags, you know where to find me.
you have your health, a wonderful partner and many friends. This sure gives you an opportunity to explore the options you have dreamed about. Nibi you will land on your feet and do well. The very best to you and your new adventure.
Give me a fast lady partner, slow canoe and a fine cigar. InsulaBob
It just ain't fair. You've done so much for all of us, such a positive influence, brightened all of our days at work when we view your daily gorgeous photos. Thanks for that and good luck with finding a portage with a great landing.
I know many of the displaced 40-60 age group has caught the attention of the Work Force centers (they used to be called the unemployment office) here in Minnesota. They have classes on how to overcome the age/wage factor. In other words, how to get a company to hire you when they could hire someone much younger for tens of thousands of dollars less and train them instead. The class includes information on how to structure your resume and even specific things to say in an interview. This information is reported to be very effective.
I'll be the one to say it. It sucks. Resume, interviews, buying interview clothes, assessing your age in the mirror or wondering how fast you can lose a few pounds and my personal favorite - trying to strike up the enthusiasm to do a perky dog and pony show when you feel like a broken toy left on the shelf at Christmas. Even the feeling of losing your coworkers, the culture and routine can be discombobulating. There is an old stigma that you were in essence fired. They picked YOU and it feels like crap even though you know you did your job well and have the annual reviews and salary increases to prove it. If you really want to turn around and face the bear – what if you're the primary or only breadwinner, what now? Feeling icky? Read on.
Here's the good news which you already know but might need to remind yourself - I know I have. It is a big boat and the boat is full. The encouraging part is that everybody makes it through and is usually happier then they were before. I believe this is true and no matter how depressed I can get some days - especially as I have recently, I know this is the truth.
People used to retire from jobs after 40 years with a pension. Today, on the average, people not only change jobs an average of 7 times, they change their profession. Many of the 40-60 somethings are finding great new careers that they love more than the one they had before. I believe this will certainly be true for you. Not only because of the exceptional human being that you are but because there really is some sort of magic on this board and the bond we share. If this group of folks prays for you or thinks good thoughts on your behalf, or even wishes on a star, by gum it works. If I ask for help from these fine people, I refer to it as "calling in the big guns." I know they'll root for me, pray for me, think the best for me and knowing that, all is well with my world even on the darkest days. I love them all.
Trust me, Larry, being disemployed or layed off or "retired" isn't what you neet to worry about. Use the chain of Saturdays for as long as they last. If you have a pulse, likely you'll be retoiled and back in some kind of grinder before you like. Good luck!
There's a piliated pecker cavity on a tree between my Buyck tent and the squat box. They shift change about every 20 min. Late sun lights 'em up. Make yourself at home.
I turned my Garmin Etrex Legend on last nite after dark for the first time in about a year. It took it forever to find the satelites. It is about 3 yrs old. When I first got it, it would find itself in about a min. or less. Last nite was like 20 mins. I had to turn it off and on several times cause it wouldn't find them. It finally did find itself. Also sometimes when I turn it on the LCD screen is streaked. I had to "slap" it on the side of my leg to get the display to be normal. Is there something wrong with it? Does it make sense it would have a hard time finding itself after being off for a yr? Are these repairable or disposable?
I had a Lengend that did the same thing, screen is dark for a long time and then when it does come on its streaked. Sometimes it would get better after being on awhile.
If you hold it just right during beginning of the start-up you can see that it is actually on, but the screen is dark.
I talked with Garmin's Tech Service and the first thing they will suggest is downloading the software and relaoding it.
Then they will tell you they can fix it for like $100.00.
I had something one time but I can't find it now and I forget what it was. I want to download my waypoints before I update my unit's software. Can you reccomend anything. Mine has a serial interface.
my brother left this morning to drive up to minneapolis st paul from ky. he is picking me up tomorrow at the airport for the drive to VNO for a saturday entry into mudro. cant wait to get a paddle wet.
PRESS RELEASE
Superior National Forest
May 30, 2007
Contact: Kris Reichenbach, 218-626-4393
Update: Campfire Restrictions and Closures on the Superior National Forest
Recent and projected precipitation, along with the greening of vegetation, has reduced the potential for a fire to start and spread quickly. Therefore, the Forest Service announces the following changes regarding fire-related restrictions and closures on Superior National Forest lands.
Campfire Restrictions:
Effective 7:00 pm, Wednesday May 30, 2007, campfires, charcoal or wood-burning camp stoves are allowed only between the hours of 7:00 pm and midnight within the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). During the remainder of the day (between midnight and 7:00 pm) the use of campfires, charcoal or wood-burning campstoves are prohibited in the BWCAW. As always, visitors are encouraged to use gas or propane cook stoves to reduce impacts to the Wilderness. Outside of the BWCAW, campfires, charcoal and wood-burning camp stoves may be used any time. Visitors are urged to use extra care with campfires and to only build campfires in designated fire grates.
Trail Use:
The Kekekabic Trail remains closed from east of Disappointment Lake to BWCAW Entry Point 56, including all associated connectors and loops in that portion. The Magnetic Lake Trail remains closed to all public use until further notice.
The following trails are now open for public use:
Caribou Rock Crab Lake (Gunflint area)
South Lake Border Route (East, West, and Center)
Topper Lake and Mucker Lake
BWCAW Entry Point Use:
The following BWCAW entry points remain closed to both overnight and day use:
56 - Kekekabic Trail East
57 - Magnetic Lake
80 - Larch Creek
All other BWCAW entry points are now open.
Developed Campgrounds:
All developed campgrounds (those which charge a use fee) are now open, with the exception of Iron Lake Campground on the Gunflint Trail, which is closed until further notice. The boat access to Iron Lake is also closed until further notice.
Other news:
All designated campsites on Pietro and Turtle Lakes in the BWCAW are now open for use. Crews have completed rehabilitation of these campsites that were affected by last year’s Turtle Lake fire.
For details regarding current conditions on the Superior National Forest, please check with one of the Forest offices or visit the Forest web site at: www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior.
In Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources administers fire restrictions for lands other than national forest system lands. For information regarding State restrictions and policy, check the Interagency Fire Information Site: www.mnics.org
Not to commercialize, but just to let you know I am one of those "outfitter types"
My second trip using my North Face Aleutian revealed that the zipper is a real piece of crap. I'm surprised Bogwalker, Nibi Mocs, PortageKeeper, and HP didn't hear me in the middle of the night, grumbling, "piece of sh--!!" as I tried to zip or unzip it. Otherwise, it's a nice bag. I wonder if I could get the zipper replaced with a good quality one, for less than the cost of getting a whole new bag. I'd hate to toss the bag, less than 2 years after I bought it.
We traveled as the Voyageurs did by canoe, paddled the same lakes, ran the same rapids and packed over their ancient portages." Sig Olson The Lonely Land
they hire to do alterations. My late brother used to do that work after a heart attack required retirement from his railroad job. He had done tailoring aas his first jopb... but that's another story.
if north face does not. send me an e-mail if you'd like, and i'll look into it. e-mail address is petebrownson@hotmail.com
I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed with power, but respond only to quietude, humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because only in the woods can i find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of a tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe someday I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant--and not nearly so much fun. robert traver aka john voelker
....and I'll use the other options if needed. Thanks.
--------------------------
As sleeping bag zippers go, I think the one on my (my dad's, from Vietnam days) army-issued down sleeping bag is the best. Never gets any fabric caught, works great. Think I'll get a waterproof stuff sack and resume using it more. I just don't know what temp it's rated for.
I am tired of lugging the old Coleman two burner and need some advice on what small stove is the best. We do use some large kettles and one 12x12 cast alum. fry pan and I am wondering is the smaller single burners can handle them.
I'm not sure if it can handle the weight your talking about but it’s worth a try. I've used a cast iron skillet when I was testing it at home and it was stable.
I'll second the dragonfly.............GadgetMan used one of the first few trips we went on........
I also used the MSR Whisperlite, which was my stove. I used it for the first 5 or 6 trips,a nd LOVED it........but I hated the fact that it did not simmer.
A couple years ago, I purchased a Primus OmniFuel, and I have NEVER looked back. I can burn White Gas, diesel, kerosene, gas, butane, and probably BUTT FARTS in it..........it is a FANTASTIC stove.
I've used it on 8 trips now, and it performs flawlessly. Last year, I ran out of white gas, and used a butane canister from our lantern. I didn't even change the jet. Changing the jet would have helped on fuel economy, but it still worked pretty dang good.
I used to cook on a single Dragonfly for 2 adults, 3 teenage boys (you know how much food it takes for them!), and 1 or 2 younger children. I could put the biggest pot I owned on top of that thing, full of water, and it wouldn't even budge. The pan supports are very wide and stable. The only problem was that the wind screen that came with it wouldn't fit around my biggest pots, so I would leave it "open" on the lee side. I used the Dragonfly for 10 years, and my son still uses it. I would highly recommend it for size of pots you want to use, it's high heat output (that thing's a blast furnace!), and the ability to simmer when you need it. It is not inexpensive, but it is a good, reliable stove that uses cheap white gas.
Disadvantage: It is really, really noisy when in blast furnace mode.
Many years ago I did a river trip with Cliff Jacobson and had the opportunity to use an Optimus. Great little stove. Also, it is multifuel. They are priced high. I have had my stoves 14 years, and only sent 1 in for repair once. I use it with large groups, actually I use 2 for 9 people. A large pot or skillet is no problem for a Hiker.
A&H Enterprises, www.packstoves.com They often have some good prices on stoves from Europe.
Kaitlyn
We traveled as the Voyageurs did by canoe, paddled the same lakes, ran the same rapids and packed over their ancient portages." Sig Olson The Lonely Land
weighs very litlle, folds up nicely and is pretty stable. I have used it to boil large pots of water and used the two burners simultaneously for a griddle. Great little stove and I found it for $49 on Campmor, I think. The drawback is it only uses Coleman fuel canisters although I have had no problem finding them. Just my $.02 worth...
You indicated that it can handle a large pot or griddle and that is what we are looking for. Is the wind screen effective? How much fuel do you consume in say, a 7 day trip, two meals a day for 4 persons? What fuel do you use and what spares do you carry?
It depends on how often you cook on it, I have taken mine on every trip since buying it. I have traveled with up to four people, did 100% of the cooking on the stove for 8 days & never used a complete tank. Now bear in mind that we mostly boiled water for freeze dried meals, but I did cook 2 nice breakfasts with pancakes, bacon & sausage & 3 times fried fish. I always take one full tank & whatever I had left from the previous trip.
You will not be disapointed in the Coleman EX stoves.
I bought The Coleman Xtreme about 4 years ago & love it, the best stove I have ever used or owned. Tanks are light & last forever & you can find them at almost every outdoor store & outfitter.
1 bottle of white gas for a 6 day trip. If you use large pots/pans, you'll need to support the edges for stability (well-shaped rocks, for example). The windscreen works great. We've never used anything bigger than the pots/frying pan shown.
Please be careful no not overtighten the top of the bottle because you can stretch the o ring. If you do stretch the o ring you may not know until you have lit the stove and then pumped the bottle another 20 or so strokes and the "hissing" sound starts. Run like hell and thank your scoutmaster for teaching you to only build fires after you have cleared away all flamable materials.
The fireball was about eight feet around. Dinner was late. No other effects
I think that the over tightening might have caused a tear or something in the rubber, allowing fuel to leak, but more than likely, you over pressurized the thing. I don't believe I've EVER pumped it over 10 or so times.
Now, when the fuel volume gets below 1/2 a bottle or so, maybe it needs more pumping, but not too sure.
From what I've read from your post, it was already pressurized, you lit the stove, and pumped it an additional 10 or 20 times.
Like I said, maybe over pressurized...........
BUT, that being said, I will DEFINITELY check my o-ring seals before this trip.
when i keep my little plunger cup dealie in good shape...(it takes a lttle attention at times)...it never takes but a few strokes to pressurize. been using same stove(whisperlite) more than 20 years.mine's a fixed jet : it clogs at times(don't lose your platinum wire cleaner). the line can get crudded up (clean it out as per manual))...and replace the o rings every 5-10 years. once you do all that once there is not much else to it but use it.i don't use it simmer. it's mostly full tilt or off. (not a big deal to me but it must be to some folks.) ....lm
I just got the coleman 553 dual fule stove. It will take both coleman white gas, and unleaded gasoline. It Is less likely to tip over than the whisperlite, and is very stable. It is fule efficient, and can put out 10,500 BTU's. Also it is almost fool prof to run and operate. The fule is at almost ever store, (or gas station)
usually between 12:10 PM and 1:00 PM there is a crowd of regulars.
The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.
you will find a regular group of people there. I often need the escape from the work day and it is a great time to chat about canoeing, human excrement, and dogs, usually. Not necessarily in that order...you have to be there to understand.
Effective 7:00 p.m. May 30th (today), campfires will be allowed in the BWCAW during the hours of 7:00 p.m and midnight. During the day campfires will not be allowed. Propane and gas stoves will be allowed during the day.
The lapping of waves on the shore...
The hypnotic gurgling of a stream...
The eerie call of a loon...
I don't even bring a watch with me. What do I care what time it is when I'm out there? It's either "nighttime", "dark and getting light" time, "early, midday, or later" light time", or "light and getting dark time". Whether it's 11am or 12:45pm is not relevant to anything - I try not to schedule any meetings or appointments while I'm in the BW. But I do try to remember what day it is.
there has been alot of discussion about campfires on the board lately and i am a definate fan of the small evening campfire. 14 days until i enter at lake one
"I'm thinking of abandoning thought"....The Tragically Hip
I have to say that I’ve been mildly irritated by some of the recent discussion about campfires. There’s nothing wrong with a small campfire in the evening. The notion that camping without a fire is somehow a more environmentally friendly or a morally / technically superior method of camping is the height of absurdity. Wood is a renewable resource and, especially if you look for it away from camp, there’s enough lying around to fuel a million small evening fires. You can’t make amends for your 1000 mile gas guzzling drive to the BWCA simply by forgoing a fire. I wonder if some of the people opposed to the practice are actually just unfamiliar with the building and fettling of a good campfire. Or is it more of an issue of cinders falling on an expensive tent or tarp? Fear not the gift of Prometheus!
This problem, you know, was caused by humans. Humans who didn't care enough to pack out all their urine, saliva, and wash water! It's high time the government stepped in to do something about it.
It's said that due to over-exposure to this stuff, hundreds of people die from it every year. Over 100.00 died from it 2 years ago right after Christmas in southern Asia. Oh, the humanity of it!!!!! Sorry, kind of a classless pun.
there are also side effects also. its a fine line we walk, people.
I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed with power, but respond only to quietude, humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because only in the woods can i find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of a tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe someday I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant--and not nearly so much fun. robert traver aka john voelker
Ha when I was a kid I told that to a lot of people. The funny part was even the teachers belived me. I think I created some mass histaria however it was very funny.
Remember a number of years ago when people were making the case as to how dihydrogen monoxide use led to heroin use. The logic used was every who used heroin first used dihydrogen monoxide, therefore dihydrogen monoxide is a gateway drug that will turn you into a crazed drug addict.
Sadly, it seemed like the majority (or at least the moral majority) did not understand the absurdity of the argument. And in part, that kind of faulty logic still affects our drug laws today.
I mentioned this in my response to Ozark Paddler's strange encounters post below, but there is a town near Birmingham that just isn't right. My first trip there last July was an intersting expericne, to say the least. Below is a short except from my annual Christmas letter that describes it:
We were staying at the local Days Inn, which is normally a safe, reputable place. But not here. My minions and I were greeted by a cigar-chomping troll who definitely did not believe in the concept of “service with a smile.” The rooms matched the ambiance: Mine had a bed with no headboard (judging from the holes, it had been ripped out of the wall, possibly to repel the housekeepers. More on them later), dressers with drawers that just fell out, a shower with the hot and cold faucets reversed, and a microwave so old that it looked like Benjamin Franklin created it in his backyard (you could see the holes where he attached the kite). And I had the GOOD room: the other room didn’t even have bed frames, the mattresses were just laid on the floor (that way they didn’t have to vacuum under them during the semi-annual cleaning). Speaking of cleaning, the housekeeping was done by three specimens of indeterminate hominids that would seek to break into our rooms at all hours of the morning to ask if we wanted any towels, bypassing locks, chains, deadbolts, and common courtesy. The best part of the hotel was the pool: a slimy pit of despair filled with water so green that you couldn’t see a ‘57 Chevy lying 3" under the water. Of course, the water did not deter the hominids from taking frequent swims to cool off while they waited for us to leave our rooms so they could bring us towels. That was the longest 3 days of my life, and we have since found a more normal place to stay.
This is one of many strange happenings that have occurred in that town. Alabama at its finest, for sure.
"Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
I think we have something started here....my wife and I stopped once at what we thought was a normal KFC outside of Canton, Ohio. We still call it the "Twilight Zone" KFC when we pass it today. Inside was a collection of freaks, oddballs, crazies and whacko's silently sitting in the dining area, vacantly staring into space. The crewmembers were motionless behind the counter, with the same dazed, vacant look. It was like walking into a Twilight Zone episode where time was stopped, except for us. We warily aproached the counter, only to find the staff did not respond to any spoken word. I even took to waving my hand in front of one young lady at the cash register and got no response. After a few minutes of this, we fled. Either we walked in on an excellently executed practical joke, or a den of drug addicts tripping, or a true Twilight Zone time warp, we never figured it out.
...to camp in your own tent and prepare your own food. Yikes!
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir
Has anyone here ever paddled over the Height of Land via the Kaministiquia River and Dog Lake route, between Thunder Bay and Quetico park? Where would I go to find resources for paddling conditions / locations of private land to avoid, etc?
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain
I think Wilderness Mama attended a talk about doing this at Canoecopia. Maybe she can tell you who the speaker was and you could contact him. I went to canoeing camp along this route in the 1970s on Baril Lake, which is a few lakes northeast of Quetico on the Kaministiquia route. Back in those days the camp had great tripping maps and knowledge base of routes, portages and campsites in that entire area, but unfortunately all of that material was lost somehow when the camp was sold and closed. My impression is that the course of Ontario Crown Land management since the 1970s has had a negative impact on many routes that used to exist outside Quetico.
Too much of the Kam River follows the highway to make for a good trip. It is built up with homes and farms. Baril Lake and other lakes are still great. Camp Owakonze is still beautiful. You can see it on the internet. Shares in the camp can be purchased. The owner wants to create a North Woods Camp Community.
"Fur Trade Canoe Routes of Canada / Then and Now", pages 80-82 with that section titled "The Kam - Dog - Maligne Route". Some of the portages are described in their present state by Morse - valuable information if you plan on taking that route. Some early books on the subject are mentioned in Morse which would be very useful if you can locate copies.
PS Morse was one of the companions of Sig Olson on the trip Sig reported in "The Lonely Land".
Go to www.myccr.com Canadian Canoe Routes and do a search.
Here are a few things I quickly found:
The Kaministiquia Route also features much the same overland challenge in crossing from the upper reaches of the Dog River to the Savanne River. Much of this area has been heavily forested and the portages have been all but totally obliterated. And this is only after you've slugged your way upstream from Thunder Bay and coped with two major hydro-electric dams.
You are right to worry about the Kaministiquia and the Shebandowan Rivers. There are many obstacles in your upstream path. Once you get above the Old Fort William, the Kam becomes shallow, and where it is shallow, it is swift and difficult to paddle upstream. Lining will be necessary. There are many rocky sections, as well as ledges, falls and man made objects such as dams to deal with. If you decide to travel upstream, you will be doing a lot of walking. There are not many clear portages.
Go ahead and post your questions in the Ontario forum.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes." ~Marcel Proust, French Novelist
Cals for doing the reverse of what you describe: We would be traveling from Baril Portage and then making our way East over the Height of Land. Looking at some aerial photos on National Geographic led me to think that there were gravel roads we could take over the Height of Land in order to keep the bushwhacking down to a minimum.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain
...... it was rainy and cold and windy last week, so bugs were down. The one nice day and the times without wind had black flies and skeeters. The skeeters were out but not fierce. Black flies were worse, being May and all, and required a headnet for us. I also wore my bug shirt a time or two. I've seen worse, but the bugs were out.......
Mike in Minneapolis
Everybody knows rock and roll acheived perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact.--- Homer Simpson
...an occasional mosquito. The gnats and/or flies were the worst.
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir
...on Basswood over the past weekend. It was windy most of the time, but even during the calm stretches, the mosquitoes were negligible. There were some black flies, but not enought to bother us much. It's been so cold up there.
A fair amount of rain has fallen the past week and is supposed to continue this week. In combination with higher forecast temperatures, I expect the bugs to explode over the coming couple of weeks.
I have a Featherlite paddle that is about 58" and a Bending Branches bent shaft that is 54". I'm looking at the Bending Branches beavertail and trying to determine what length.
Is there a general rule for selecting paddles? Something like a bow paddler should have a paddle that comes to lower chest and a stern paddler should have a paddle a few inches below the chin?
that I taught in Boy Scouts as a waterfront counselor (l40 years ago):
From the ground to your nose or:
The length of your outstretched arms.
This was with the old "standard" paddles however. As a stern paddler, I use a beavertail that matches both of the above. My bow paddler (who outweighs me by 20 lbs or so) uses the same length, but a "Voyageur" style paddle. I've always been able to control him (at least paddling!).
Marty, our leader, the only one of us with canoeing experience, wanted a different paddle of the proper length (using this rule of thumb). The outfitter's rep. either hadn't heard of the rule or was in too much of a hurry, and disputed Marty's need for a different paddle than the one he handed to him. There followed several tense moments, to be sure! Marty won out. All in all, we were very disappointed with that outfitter, especially a few hours later when we unpacked the food chosen for us, which totally ignored our planned menus.
For me at least the trip through Quetico made up for the poor beginning, Of the five of us, only Marty and I ever returned to canoe camping, so far as I'm aware.
I am wanting to try out doing a solo kayak trip. My yak is about 60 pounds and a tougher portage so I want to do a 4-5 day trip with no long portages and as few as possible. I have done Sawbill a few times and that's an option, as well as Brule, but I am wondering about other possibilities. I want to learn for myself about how I pack and how light I can go with the more limited gear storage, so I want this to be a somewhat easier trip! How has anyone who has used a kayak in the BW done the portaging? I assume I will bring a pack and just fill and empty it, so I am speaking more about the actual carrying of teh kayak long distances. I yhave actually dragged it the equivalent of 40-50 rods, but that's without rocks!
Actually, if you want to do a solo kayak trip with no portages and you don't mind sharing the main channels with motorboats (plenty of solitude along the edges), go to Voyageurs NP.
I have a portage yoke for my kayak, but I don't use it often because packing and unpacking for portages is such a nuisance. It's just like the removable yokes for canoes, only it is narrower to fit across the cockpit, and the shoulder pads are elevated on spacer blocks so your head is not buried in the cockpit and you can see where you are going! The carry is quite comfortable. It's the packing and unpacking that are a nuisance compared to canoes. I use the yoke mostly on daytrips out of a base camp where there's not much gear.
Good luck!
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" Kenneth Grahame
The only time I don't use a kayak in the bwca is when I am backpacking. I am not a fan of canoes so I have invested alot of time figuring out how to make a kayak work up there.
The 2 main problems with kayaks in the bwca are:
1) ability to portage
2) ability to get in/out at a typical rough landing
I use a detachable canoe yoke for portaging. It rides in the cockpit next to the seat and then I have to screw it on at the portages (like alot of solo canoes). Then I portage it exactly like a canoe. My kayak weighs 50 lbs.
The bigger problem is getting in/out at landings. Too many kayaks have those tiny little cockpits and the kayak has to be worn - its like putting on a pair of pants. This is very difficult at landings that are rocky, with waves, and slippery, uneven lake bottoms. A big cockpit is really useful in these situations as it is much easier to jump in and out of the boat.
If you can deal with those 2 issues, then you can easily kayak in the bwca. I travel light (thanks to backpacking) so I don't have much to pack/unpack in the kayak at every portage. In the past I brought a Duluth Pack - I kept it empty behind the seat and would empty the hatch into the DP for the portage. Since the DP is bulky and much, much bigger than what I need, I am currently investigating some other packing options that would be less bulky in the boat.
For a good kayak bwca trip, with few portages, consider Sea Gull Lake. Lots of very scenic little islands, the Palisade, and plenty of water for several days of tripping. You could day-trip into Alpine (and beyond) or even portage over there to camp (portage is around 100 rd). No need to rush through Sea Gull, though, it is a very scenic lake with LOTS of lakeshore.
bought from Rags. I love it, but it will be a bear to gt in and out of. The problem with Seagull is that it has been surrounded with fire last year and this, so I don't think I'll go there for awhile. I was there a few years ago and do love the area.
I have a Chesapeake 18 that I build from plans from clc boats. It weighs about 50 - 55 pounds. I have done three trips now with it. I use the kayak portaging system from knupac.com and it works great for me. The real trick is that kayaking makes you really, really, really, really think about what is necessary to bring. I find it also limits the amount of fresh vs freeze dried food you can bring, except for fish of course. On the other hand a kayak trip is a great excuse to go out and buy new and better and smaller stuff.
A loop:
Sag - Red Rock - Alpine - Sea Gull - through Gull River and out Sag.
This loop would only have 3 portages and only one long one at 105 rds (but very level).
An in and out route:
Sag - Swamp - Ottertrack - Knife. Again only 3 portages (5, 80, and 5) and your on Knife Lake.
Both routes have lots of big water and very few portages.
I met up with some long time co-workers and fishing buddies on an annual fishing outing up at Davis Lake last Sunday afternoon. We came home on Thursday.
Mother Nature threw us her normal weather surprise...cold front and high winds. No real rain tho...this is dry season and dry country...just on the east side of the crest of the Cascades.
I think I actually posted a report from a previous trip...when I had a fish picture or two to post. No picture fish this trip. The cold front killed the fishing. It was 22 degrees one morning. Couldn't even get on the water Sun eve or all day Monday because of the high winds.
But, I had the new camera and I thought you might enjoy a photo or two from the area.
It's Ponderosa Pine country. That species dominates the overstory where fire has had its say. And, Bitterbrush dominates the understory. The big game animals love their Bitterbrush so its very important in the ecosystem.
This next photo is not much as photos go, but it illustrates very well the role that fire has played in this country. This is called a "catface". It's caused by repeated ground fire. The low intensity fire underburns the big old pines periodically, removing the build up of dead fuels and the ingrowth of more shade tolerant true firs. This helps reduce the intensity of fires and the likelihood of the fire becoming a "stand replacement event". In other words, burning the forest to a blackened crisp. If you were to cut this tree and look at the cross section at the edge of the burn scar you would be able to clearly count the number of fires and periodicity with which fires underburned this old growth stand of pine. In a couple of the following photos, you can see a ring of dead trees along the shoreline. This is a small part of a 10,000+ acre fire that burned the upper part of the lake basin and and shoreline about 5 years ago. It turned the forest pretty darned "crisp"!
Our camp sits in the Pines. The lava flow that dammed up Odell Creek and formed Davis Lake is just to the left of this photo.
Across the lake, looking west, lies Maiden Peak. This is a panorama with a couple of photos stitched together.
Some more shots of the Maiden Peak area.
It's a waterfowl haven up there...large shallow lake with lots of water vegetation. It gets crazy with 'em in the fall. There were 3 big Sandhill Cranes hanging around the west shore and I did get a flyby photo but it's not worth sharing. They're hard birds to get close to in our area.
The yellow headed blackbirds constantly fill the atmoshpere with sight and sound. They don't seem to mind the tule habitat or the lava flow habitat.
We had a couple of young ladies with us for entertainment. You can see that these geezers needed entertaining. The Glen Livet helps.
But, when you want real action, there's nothing like a "fetching" young lady. And they WERE entertaining!
.........you're killin' me with these photos. Beautiful........ and the yearning begins to move back to that beautiful state. We still haven't ruled out retiring there, and your pictures aren't helping matters!
Thanks for posting.
Mike in Minneapolis
Everybody knows rock and roll acheived perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact.--- Homer Simpson
2 years ago we found this area on Jordan Lake. That looked like Pictos to us. It seemed like you could see images if you used a little imagination.
Last week we found this set just north of the previos ones. We probally did not see them before because if the water was about 12-18 higher they would have been real close to the waterline.
I think I have those same pictures , most people have a really hard time finding them or never know to look as Furtman's book is totally backwards in his description (at least the edition I have) and they are so faded it is hard to see them.
We found them in 2001, my sister pointed them out not knowing she was looking in the wrong place as I had Furtman's book. Thank goodness my sister doesn't always listen to me or I would have never spotted them
Tim
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
I recently came across an old wooden Kayak with a canvas covered bottom. (Cheap) Most all the canvas has fallen off but all the wood seems to be in great shape. Was wondering the best way to recover the bottom? If you stay with canvas what type is used and where would I get it? Or is there is there something better to coat the wood? Thanks for any help I can get!
I can see school is on summer break and you're looking for a project. Sounds like you got a good deal and will really have a nice craft when you get it fixed up. Please post some before, during, and after pictures of the project. Good luck! Rich
Nothing to do with paddling, but I have to share this one. Every once in a while, really strange things happen to me in my travels. This one is like a very bad Saturday Night Live Skit.
Last week I wrapped up a two day float on the Big Piney River in Missouri. I elected not to float the third day. As I was meeting friends in a nearby town in the evening I had six hours to kill. I drove over to Montauk State Park and then to the Boiling Springs access on the Big Piney. As it was lunch time I stopped at a cafe in Licking, MO for a bite. This is where it became very strange. It was just before noon and the cafe/bar had its open sign lit but there were no cars in the lot. I went in and I was the only customer in the place. I was seated in a room with about 60 chairs. The waitress came up gave me a menu and ask "What kind of music do you like?". I said I liked it all and then the fun ensued. She jumped up on the stage, fired up the karaoke machine and began to sing very bad country songs. I politely clapped at the end of each one. Remember, I an ALONE in this fine establishment. She came down and took my order and said that the cook would be out right away. I was confused! A minute later out came the cook and began to sing more really bad country songs. I was beginning to get very uncomfortable. After two songs he announced he was sorry to go but he had to cook an order (mine). He no more left the stage when the owner and his wife took the stage and began to sing very off key love ballads to each other. After one I failed to clap and they said over the PA "opps, the audience didn't like that one". My food came and then the entire staff performed a couple of group songs, pausing after each one for my applause. Still, I am ALONE and feeling pretty uncomfortable. I kept looking for the hidden cameras, but alas it was not a hidden camera show. I ate as fast as I could and got out of dodge. It was really one of the most unbelievable experiences of my life, to say the least.
What a weird experience you had! Sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone to me! I'm suprised they didn't make you get up there and sing too. Very funny story. Thanks for the laugh
I sure wish it had been taped for a tv show - I can just picture your expression. Since nobody asked you to sign a release, I guess we'll never see such footage.
The cook didn't look like Bill Murray, did he?
I'm curious as to which "bad" country songs they tried to sing. I think in general, it's the words, "karaoke" and "bad" that go hand-in-hand.
If I'm ever in that area, I will specifically seek this place out. Too damn funny to pass up!!
Thanks for sharing the great story!
just badly performed. The cook was especially proud of a Faith Hill song he performed. Really, no lie. I naturally though of you drooling over a Faith Hill song performed by a bearded country boy dressed in greasy white cooks clothing. I don't know if you would be able to contain yourself.
Not really. But almost. I once had a dental hygenist put her iPod phones on me to listen to her latest demo (while she was cleaning my teeth!), and just before going into OR for an appendectomy, an orderly asked Mrs J-stroke to have a look at his latest lyrics.
But this one reallly takes the cake. Actually, it might be a pretty darn good SNL skit. You should have said the last song needed "more cowbell".
What a bizarre deal. Okay, since I'm going that way next month, I have to check it out. Please tell me the name of this place.
I've never been to Licking. Might have driven through. Maybe. Might explain why no one else was there. Could have been singing "Dead Skunk" in the middle of the road while you ate. Stinkin' to high heaven. I live in rural MO and know of similiar things. Local school bus driver here with a loaded bus would pull off and gather up road kill raccoons during season so she could sell the pelts. Are you sure you weren't inspected ala alien space ship? Count your fingers. Perhaps you entered the Twiligt Zone. Nice to have you back.
....that this was some kind of hidden camera thing........ I don't know how they work, but it sounds like the perfect gig for that. Just a riot your story was.
Mike in Minneapolis
Everybody knows rock and roll acheived perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact.--- Homer Simpson
We have a place in NW Alabama that we go to sample every other month that has some really interesting characters in it, to say the least. I am firmly convinced that I65 is a dividing line between normal and extremely strange behavior in this state. East of that line, you have your usual run of the mill rural southern culture. West of that line, you enter another world, one where normal modes of behavior and conduct do not apply. Some of the stuff that has happened to us there have been unbelieveable.
So far, none of us have been sung to in a cafe though.
Great story!
"Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
there was no mention of the nature of the place on the outside. And anyway, what karaoke bar is operating at noon on a Sunday in the middle of the bible belt?
It's the folks they wouldn't let stay in the church choir! I don't knowwhat I would have done if I had been there. I'm about the worst singer I know. Maybe if I joined in they would have left me alone!
Anyone try Picaradin insect repellent as a substitute for DEET? I brought some with me (Cutter's Advanced Repellent) and seemed to work good, but honestly the skeeters were not too bad.
Picaradin is orderless, not oily, and won't dissolve plastics like DEET.
We didn’t plan it but both Jim and I had brought along Cutters Advanced Formula bug dope. This is the new stuff that uses Picaridin rather than DEET. I think that both Jim and I agree that the stuff seems to work but has to be reapplied often. It seemed like it got sweated off fast and had to be reapplied before every portage. After the trip was over Jim read the label (What? You think we’d read it before use!? Ha!). It said do not apply more than once daily. Opps! Both of us had the spray pump bottles, but I also had some of the wipes (a free sample from somewhere). I really liked those!
"Brain cells come, and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever."
I don't like chemicals so tend not to use any bug spray. I like the idea it does not melt plastic, especially fishing line or my tent. I have read that there is a newer version with twice the picaradin so lasts longer- the duration of action being the biggest negative to the original formula.
"This working is getting in the way of having fun."
Carl Rasmussen
I just came back from a 4 day canoe camping trip in the U.P. (upper peninsula of Michigan) on the Manistique River.
The campground was pretty buggy, more so than almost any I'd been in. Probably the time of year.
Several folks had the Cutter's spray with Picaradin. We had the old Deet bottle.
After a while the other folks borrowed out Deet bottle in desperation.
i have been using picaradin when mowing or picknicking and such.. it works fine for that, but is lacking when the going gets tough and the skeeeters are even tougher... then stinky ol' DEET wins.
My gas mileage is awful carrying two SR Wilderness 18s side by side on a roof rack. When I have just one canoe on top, there is no noticeable decrease - it might even streamline the slipstream a little.
Lynn O'Kane, I think you mentioned some time ago what canoe models you can nest for strappling to the floats of a float plane - can you refresh our knowledge?
Do you do anything special to change the thwarts and seats to demountable nut-and-bolt mounts? Can you use a molly-type nut that remains attached to the canoe, so you don't always find yourself one short?
Anyone want to swap a shorter SR for one of our 18s?
I looked at trying to get our SR Q-17 and Q-18.5 to nest. Removing thwarts and seats would be possible but the Q-17 is a bit too long to fit inside without some modification to the fore and aft flotation chambers. Maybe a 16 will make it without messing with the flotation chambers.
well, its getting close now. My 10 year old son and i enter at lake one on june 13th. It will be his first trip and my sixth. Not sure of our basecamp destination, mostly taking a "see how he does" approach. We might push for horseshoe if the winds are favorable and his spirits allow it. But, no death march here. He gets to determine our pace and destination. I want him to enjoy the experience. We will base camp and spend some time fishing and some time exploring. If anyone has any tips they would like to share as to tripping with a youngin', i would welcome any suggestions. I am taking a "trees of MN" book as well as the "canoe country wildlife" book. Any chance the fire ban will be lifted by then? Roastin' a few marshmallows by the fire would beat the campstove
"I'm thinking of abandoning thought"....The Tragically Hip
..by letting him push as much or as little as he wants. But don't underestimate him, I'm betting he'll surprise you with how far he can go and how much he can push.
Make sure you put in plenty of time for swimming, fishing, hanging around talking, and just having fun.
Give him responsibilities...camp chores and the like. He'll know he's an important part of the team and that he's contributing.
Bring a book that you can read aloud. Nothing heavy, but something with fun camping stories. We like Patrick J. McManus...he's pretty funny.
And take a journal. Write down your activities and you can look back on them years later and remember the good times you had.
"We do not remember days, we remember moments...." Cesare Pavese
I took my 7 year old son for a five day trip starting at Lake One a few weeks ago. He did spectacular, I gave him a small pack to carry and a few chores to do, but I didn't hear any complaining or whimpering. Some people are against bringing young ones back in the wild, but I guess it depends on the youngster. If they like being out in the woods, hiking, camping, and such, they should be just fine in the BWCA.
I commend you for bring your young lad out and enjoying this time with him. You're raising him to be a "Wild Child" and to love and respect the wildnerness.
I hope you will post some pics of your expedition together -- especially if he catches some fish!
Every kid is different, but you may want to try and weave in an appropriate level of adventure.
I'd never base camp with a 10 year old - keep 'em exploring and moving. The critical thing is to scale the adventure - for my kids, seeing Canada and climbing Warrior Hill were high points they talked about for years.
I took my son when he was 3, 4, 5 and 6 (with my 3 yr old daughter and wife). That trip ended family tripping (long story). Taking my 13 yr old son back for the firt time in seven years. Going in Lake One, the #1 kid friendly entry point from the sounds of the ccbb. 4 dads, 4 sons - double the size of my previous largest party.
When younger, the kid loved playing in the shallows, sand beaches, catching smallmouth bass (didn't matter how small they were, none over 1 lb), skipping rocks, paddling near shore, exploring the woods and swimming all top the list. As mentioned, they do tend to like responsibility. When younger, like the idea of paddling (which only slowed me down), but when he became old enough where it might help, he was no longer interested. Not sure how this year will work out...
When younger, we went slower. We were always checking things out in the woods, along shore or whereever you are. Didn't like being too far from shore because it was boring. Didn't like trolling. Only like fishing if we could catch them with some regularity.
You can make mistakes with the responsibility thing. I tought my then 5 year old how to split wood with a buck knife and beater log. He loved the responsibility and thought it was fun, until he sliced open his finger really bad. Mom didn't appreciate the lesson either.
There is no general statement that can be correct, although few, if any, aluminum canoes will out pace a plastic or kevlar canoe. A lot of it has to do with the more sleek profiles of the latter canoes, but paddling ability factors into the mix.
Can't speak for wood canoes because I've never had the pleasure of paddling one. There are several on the board who have paddled them and I'm sure they'll weigh in on the topic.
No one ever looks back on their life and regrets the adventures they've had.
______________________________________________________________
Pete
determines performance. There are some fiberglass tubs out there that my old alumacraft would run circles around. Usually it is the other way around. Aluminum is difficult to form into canoe shapes and the shaping methods are very expensive. Tooling up to build a new design in plastic reinforced fabric like fiberglass and kevlar is relatively inexpensive and so there is a lot of innovation and experimentation in these materials. This was also true in the old wood/canvas days and the NEW wood/canvas days. Tooling up to build a wooden canoe is very low cost.
over the years while paddling in the bw/q.
i would add that my scientific research on this crucial topic has revealed to me that you are going to find some folks...both genders and of all ages ... who will enjoy showing you that they can leave you FAR behind them!...no matter what you are paddling! some i've seen could make a claw foot cast iron tub go 7 mph! good luck! they are nice people too! ...lm
If I pass you on a lake it is not so that I can show you anything other than the back end of my canoe. I go to the BW in part for the illusion of solitude. If I can see you then I can't pretend that I am alone. As soon as I put you behind me I can forget that you exist and return to the illusion for which I came. The same is true for single portaging. I don't have to think about other people until I see them or hear them because none of my gear is left behind where it might interfere with their travel. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone, except perhaps to myself.
J and I just returned from taking five days to do Bower Trout to Ram. I believe that my parting words were "Praying for rain" I KNEW I should not have said that.
When we drove past the Gunflint fire station on Sunday the fire threat was moderate.
In spite of high winds and much more rain than sun, we had a great time.
I hope to get the trip report out soon.
TB
"Every canoe trip, no mater how modest, is an adventure, because everyone is different"
Last week I picked up a few insect bites (not mosquitos) and applied some 1% Hydrocortinsone cream from Walgreens (their store brand). It halted the itch just fine. The tube will go to the BW inside my personal pack.
I was told by a doctor to avoid using cortisone cream on my face because it was too strong. He was referring to prescription strength so I don't know if it means the over-the-counter kind, too. Any of you doctors out there care to comment?
PS. We hit Ely during prime bug season this time--my first encounter with the gnats/sandflies, etc. They were brutal to me, but Marshall was basically untouched. The bites were mostly around my face and the back of my neck.
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir
Having said that, it's ok only for limited periods of time. Facial skin is very sensitive and usually only needs a mild cortisone cream. The prescription stuff can cause thinning of the skin and spider veins on the rest of the body but especially on the face, and much quicker on the face, ergo the advice to not use prescription stuff on the face. Prescription cortisone creams are rated in potency- I have seen rating scales from 1 to 6 and 1 to 8. The only cream that will do anything for severe blistering reactions like poison ivy is the very strongest, like Diprolene (brand name), betamethasone (generic name) which is way too strong for the face. Now, if you have an understanding doctor, a poison ivy allergy, sometimes he might give you a prescription for some Diprolene with the caution to avoid the face, and not use more than 2 weeks, no matter where on the body it is being used. We carry a tube of it and it saved my wife's first trip when she was wearing sandals and walked somewhere she should have not- we were able to settle down her blistering rash on her feet, and she wore socks with her sandals there after. If you think you have been exposed to poison ivy, wash the skin (and any clothing exposed) with an oil cutting soap- a little Dawn dish soap for potential medical emergencies might not be a bad thing to have along.
"This working is getting in the way of having fun."
Carl Rasmussen
I'll e-mail you regarding the prescription. Thanks.
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir
One of the occupational hazards of working outdoors throughout the summer is exposure to mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, and chiggers. I have also found that the 1% hydrocortisone is just the ticket for itch relief.
I'll offer a couple of comments on the preparations one might consider buying. I would avoid buying the OINTMENT. It is greasy, and does not absorb into the skin. Inevitably it will leave grease spots on clothing. The CREAM is preferable to the ointment. It absorbs into the skin more readily, although it does require a bit of massaging on the affected area. Last year I ran across 1% hydrocortisone GEL (brand name is Corticool). This stuff is my personal preference because it absorbs into the skin very quickly and leaves the affected area dry. However, it is quite a bit more expensive than the ointment or cream.
than creams ,etc. On the other hand, I much prefer creams or gels to ointments, especially in the summer. Another tip on using cortisones- a little rubbed in well is considered better than a lot just slopped on. So if using an ointment and it's getting on clothing, you may be using too much or not rubbing it in enough.
"This working is getting in the way of having fun."
Carl Rasmussen
Old Rookie posted below about the bushwhacking trip we just returned from.
A full trip report is in the works, but I thought I would post a couple of photo's now.
BTW- Thank you VERY MUCH for all the info Rangeline!
Waiting out a storm on Yodeler Lake
At the end of the bushwhack into Achundo
Bushwhacking down the creek into Rangeline Lake
Rangeline Lake
Pageant Lake
Bushwhacking into Brigand Lake
The Crew at the old campsite on Brigand Lake
(left to right) Old Rookie, Marques, Beavers
The last of the water before crashing thru the brush into Contenment Lake
I can't wait for your trip report and pictures, I have wanted to do the same route that you guys did but have not found a tripping partner and I am not brave enough to go solo.
You got some great photos! I have not been able to get this trip out of my mind (or my body, traveling with 20 year olds takes it toll...they are like the Energizer Bunny...keep going and going and going) your pictures put me right back there.
"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing." Henry David Thoreau
you weren't DRAGGING that stripper through the brush! (photo #3)
It might take a while for my nerves to recover from that sight. Anybody have a good therapist?
Cool report dude!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Journal of EP50 to Long Island Lake to No. Temperance to
Brule through Cliff to Winchell to Caribou to Poplar. http://home.wmis.net/~eastmant/bwca.html
Tim Eastman
"Lead by example and be an example worth following"
I was dragging it in that photo, canoe on the shoulders and the extra weight would sink you deep into the bog. I was amazed at how few scratches it got durring the drag, wedging it betweent trees and over deadfall was a different story though...
I put it up to curb people to shore there rather than trying to find the route in the creek.
This is a great trip which I have yet to complete. Was into Yodeler on a overnight trip and hiked part way to Achundo but was running out of steam and time. Have been to Rangeline and Pageant about six times... just never by boat. Great lakes! Rangeline had become, and still is, my favorite! It's like coming home.
Thanks for the photo's. Too bad you didn't have better weather for the trip.
Did you hike the trail from Rangeline to Pageant?
That is probably the very first photo ever posted (by anyone) of Achundo!
Very anxious to see and hear more!
This may become a little controversial and I welcome comments from one and all.
We had limited discussions about this during the trip: What do we report on how we got from point A to point B? Is this similar to somenone's favorite fishing hole that don't disclose to one and all?
Granted, we received information from this board and others and some direct emails from those who have been there. Without that information we probably wouldn't have made it through. Would we really be adding much that hasn't already been posted?
Part of the joy of traveling in to those areas is knowing you are one of only a few to have done so. Now it feels like a treasure to be protected.
So...what we report is still up in the air.
"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing." Henry David Thoreau
I am looking for a nice canoe chair for my SR17 that might also serve as a camp chair. I have had the plastic ones and the aluminum framed models but there must be something better that I haven't found yet. Not to concerned with cost as long as it lasts a few years.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain
At the web site that I listed in my original post.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain
It is not the lightest, nor does it get that compact, but it does give nice lower back support, it cost nothing to make, and if it breaks, I can burn it, even in the B-dub. The seat part pulls apart and fits inside of the back section. When portaging, I BDB it to the back of a pack. In camp, it is the honored seat.
The seat in the knoo. Uhh, the Chinese bowpaddler doesn't come with the chair. Oops. How embarrassing.
Here it is in camp. This thing so far has held anyone 200 lbs. easily.
I've had that experience too, but never had a camera. Also had the experience of the little critter spooking and running amok, squawling up a storm and scaring the bejezzus out of me.
Nearly stepping on a calf elk and having Momma come to the rescue is an adrenalin pusher too. Momma's don't like that.
Thx for posting the pic...a great shot. Can't see that kind of stuff without wandering around in the bushes...a definite perk for your chosen life's work.
...Randy
P.S. BF...not to worry. I'm sure Momma was not far off and reunited quite successfully after Tick moved on.
There are many little ones out at this time of year, all looking cute and cuddly and worth bringing home.
Most of the "lost" creatures aren't really lost. Mom is normally close by, waiting for us to exit stage left. The longer we stay, the tougher it is on the little ones. The worst thing that we could do (usually) is assume the baby is abandoned and in need of our help.
As youngsters we captured all manner of beasts and fowl. Unfortunately, these attempts to "save" the little ones turned out badly for all concerned. We meant no harm - in fact, we generally were pretty pleased with ourselves for "rescuing" whatever small varmint we had discovered.
I have been fortunate enough to witness the actual birth of deer on two occasions, and moose once. The deer were way cool - the moose could have gotten me killed. One of the deer births will always stick in my mind, because of the reactions of all of us.
The doe was dropping the fawn when I came running down the dirt road - and I stopped in time to not disturb the actual pushing. As luck would have things, the wind caught up to me - the doe freaked and ran - and I found myself having to pass within inches of a very new little fawn, still slimy and unable to stand. I couldn't resist - God help me, it was simply too neat to pass by.
The fawn was struggling, trying to get up, and as the doe stood there snorting and stomping I reached down and petted the thing. It reached its snout up to my hand and nuzzled me, trying to bite a finger (or look for a teat). The doe went nuts. Not knowing what else to do, I tried to talk to the doe as I slowly walked away from the fawn. She came up to the fawn, started licking it like a kid with an all day sucker, keeping an eye on me, and that's how they were when I left.
On the flip side, sometimes a baby critter is knocked out of the nest, chased out of the den, or simply abandoned. It happens, and while it is tough to witness, is just nature taking its course. A couple of years ago Zebich Jr. and I watched amazed and horrified as a momma raccoon tossed a youngster out, and refused to let it back with the others. Several hours passed, and the outcast finally wandered downstream, collapsed and died. It must have been sick to begin with. I've seen the same thing with ducks and birds, and you have wonder at times how these things happen.
Cool picture - good thing the camera was handy!!!!
Life may be a bitch, but it beats the alternative.
The friend who got me started on BW trips 17 years ago has told me I can buy one of her canoes, and I am trying to decide which to get: one is an Old Town, the other an Alumnacraft, both about 16' and about 67 pounds and both in about the same relatively good shape and cheap, so don't consider price. This will be my UIR/beat around canoe, or a second canoe for BW trips (my son or someone else can carry!). What are the pros and cons of both, and which would you choose?
Personally I'm a much bigger fan of alumacraft. Aluminum is a great river matirial. The old town would be a distant second choice. Alumacraft were built to last, that's why you still see so many in the bwca. I would definatly get it if the point was a knock arround river canoe.
I have a discovery that I bought over 20 years ago a great boat and almost impossible to destroy I've tried, very stable but a bit heavy, I've used this in the rivers of northeast iowa for years
Old Town is a manufacturer with an awful lot of 16' canoes in lots of different layups. How was the OT canoes stored? The Polylink that the Discovery series uses is more prone to getting a bad keel line if stored incorrectly, while the Royalex is probably more prone to having the vinyl covering the ABS getting cut and allowing the ABS to be softened due to UV. OT also made some great fiberglass boats, but those would need to have been cared for carefully to be worth much now. The Royalex canoes are significantly lighter than the Polylink ones too (a HUGE consideration for me, even for a river boat that someone else normally carries). I personally prefer Royalex for a river boat; it seems to slide off rocks that aluminum sticks to without the extra weight and flex the Polylink have. [I've owned both aluminum and Royalex boats, and I've paddled Polylink boats a few times - all on rivers] Royalex boats can take a lot of abuse, and you'll find most river boats made out of Royalex. If the boats haven't been stored well (sun fading, cracking or crazing of the surface), get the aluminum.
Another consideration is the boat itself. Is it a Penobscot (a more all-purpose boat), a Camper (pretty flat bottomed and wide) or is it a dedicated river-runner with significant rocker? I'd pick a 16' Penobscot up quick! In fact, let me know if you decide on the aluminum and send me your friend's phone number! [Oh, BTW: Don't tell DH Kevin. His screen name is now "When Canoes Fly" which is when he says I'll get another boat. Hey, who says 5 is enough? ]
it is - I think it's a Camper. The website says it's 59 pounds, and maybe it is - I just have always taken Barb'sword for how much it weighs altho the two canoes do feel similar in weight. I have always assumed it's Royalex, and it looks just like all the other OT's I've seen. I just never paid a lot of attention to others - or this one, other than paddling it!
I have six of the Beer Can boats, a couple weird Fiber Glass boats, one Bell Kevlar, and an Old Town Discovery. I run the UIR and the Turkey River all Summer long and ALWAYS take the OT. The UIR and the TR get low and it slides over the rocks much easier than the Alumicraft. Would never take it to the BDub - to heavy but for river running you can't beat it.
I'm with the others - for river paddling, it's tough to top a plastic-type canoe.
The Penobscot is made of royalex and is 16'4" and 58#. The Discovery 164 is (or used to be) crosslink material and is 16'4" and 74#. The 174 will obviously be heavier. Your description says around 67# so I'm guessing it might be the Discovery. If that's the case, it'll be a canoe you have forever.
The aluminum would be fine, too, but aluminum isn't as forgiving on river rocks as the plastic canoes are, and the keel line where both halves are riveted together will catch on things. That's why most river outfitters have the plastic-type of canoes for rentals.
No one ever looks back on their life and regrets the adventures they've had.
______________________________________________________________
Pete
and how are you going to store them? If the plastic boat was stored indoors and you're going to store it indoors, I'd choose the plastic boat ... probably. Since it is a river boat, I might hedge my bet if it is a Camper. But I'm guessing it is a Discovery. I had a Disco 174 for a long time. I wish I still had it. It was a great family canoe. My wife, 2 kids, and I did many trips down the Black River (by La Crosse, WI) in that canoe.
If the boat is going to be stored outdoors, then I choose the Aluminum. Aluminum can get hot or cold, and it might stick to rocks, but for longevity and outdoor storage, aluminum is hard to beat. It certainly has a stiff hull, too.
Good dilemma, Laura. I think either way you choose, it won't be a bad choice.
"Brain cells come, and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever."
just wanted to stir things up here and get some input from "experts"! I've paddled both and will be happy with either. For me it will probebly be inside storage in winter or wrapped in a tarp, and inside in summer, but both have been outside for a number of years.
Our Diso has served us well for ten years and, after a little Gunnel repair, I am sure will last many more. They slid over rocks and are quite forgiving.
The Alumnacraft will probably last longer but will also more readily be hot or cold to the touch (depending on sun and water temps.) It will stick on rocks and make more nose when a paddle is set in it.
I would go with the plastic in a heartbeat.
TB
"Every canoe trip, no mater how modest, is an adventure, because everyone is different"
I'd get the Alumnacraft. I sold my metal canoe and got a royalex. I wish I had an alumin. canoe to bang around on rivers. I have to be a bit careful with the royalex.
We camped down in the northern Kettles on Long Lake- had hoped to go fishing with my canoe but the wind was so bad, I never wetted a line or the canoe.
"This working is getting in the way of having fun."
Carl Rasmussen
I’m looking for socks to wear while “wet foot” portaging - socks that dry really fast. After searching the board, it seems like smartwool socks might be a good choice:
They'll be worn with gor-tex hiking boots and plunged knee deep into beaver muck. Are these the ones to get, or is there a faster drying hiking sock out there?
I wore a few different pairs of socks during the last trip. The Smartwools were great, as were the Tekos, which might have dried just a bit faster (although I have no data to substantiate this).
Rutabaga has them, I'm sure others carry them too. They have the usual - light, heavy, etc.. http://www.rutabaga.com/product.asp?pid=1016302
and I like them fine. they hold their shape well, insulate well even when soaked, however, I do not find them to be any faster drying than any other wool or wool composite sock I own...hope this helps.
Just about all I wear, sock-wise, anymore, anywhere is Smartwool. Btwn Mrs. O and I we've got most of the various models they offer. For wetfooting I just take my oldest pairs of the basic model. I do like to wear a polypro light sock underneath. I don't have any scientific study, but I feel like my feet are in better shape at the end of the day, especially if I'm doing much portaging.
I've almost always worn two pair of socks my entire working life, so maybe it's just habit at this point.
the Wright Socks double layered socks really do reduce blisters. they also dry very quickly. Smart Wool socks don't dry quite as fast, but they do keep your feet warmer in the mean time.
on my trip a week or so ago i tried out non-gortex boots (once the insides of my gortex boots get wet, they never dry) paired with Wright Socks (as a liner) and a pair of SealSkinz Waterproof socks. worked great (feet never got wet, shoes dried fast). only down-side was that by keeping tight to your calf (to block water from coming in over the cuff), they cut off circulation a bit. not a problem when traveling, but in camp my toes got cold while wearing them.
These socks are pricey but they last and last and last. I use these for regular work socks. I've still got some from 8 years ago. I've conpared them with both the Smartwool and WigWam by far superior to those in my opinion. I couldn't find much differents in warmth or dry times but as far as getting more bang for the buck they are worth it.
I prefer to use on my trips Rocky boots, specifically the Corn Stalkers. I've found the top of these boot have a wider/thicker leather lip. Tied tightly to the skin they will seal somewhat allowing you to step over the boot in deeper water. Not for a very long time, but quick step out they do very well.
As to the wet boots delima. Take a few sheets of newspaper along on your trip. Two full sheets rolled up in the pack doesn't add much in room or weight. In a wet boot they will dry them out fairly fast. I'll even hang the paper to dry and reuse at a later time on a trip.
REI has their name on some socks that are just the same as Smartwool only less expensive. I like them.
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." --John Muir
In the northern Kettle Morraine St Forest, the Spruce Lake natural area has a nice little board walk through a swamp- saw several pink ladyslippers. Photos were taken with my wife's film camera and being developed- not sure how long they will last so decided to post without photos. There also are some pitcher plants blooming. We also ran into a wild coffee plant near the Parnell Tower taking part of the loop around the tower. The books say you can use it as a coffee substitute- Anyone ever try it?
"This working is getting in the way of having fun."
Carl Rasmussen
I've heard it is used as a substitute, but since I don't even like coffee, I haven't tried it!
I think that the reason so many people seem to be having allergy problems this year is that so many things are blooming all at once rather than spread out as in more "normal" years. I ran my hand over an outside table last weekend and it came up yellow - LOTS of pollen!
Also known as wild coffee- not the same as the true coffee plant, in the honeysuckle family. Here is a link http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=91
We saw the little red flowers- hard to see because they are down the stalk instead of toward the top of the plant.
"This working is getting in the way of having fun."
Carl Rasmussen
After my permit for Cross Bay Lake was cancelled because the the Ham Lake fire, I decided to take a non-tripping trip to Ely.
Lynn at VNO was nice enough to find space for me for 3 nights in her bunkhouse apartments over the store.
I left early on Friday and took my time driving north with a stop at an old classmates log cabin on Lake Vermillion. I hit VNO at about 5:00 p.m. and heard that Nibi would bunking with me on Friday night. Nibi was somewhere downtown for dinner, I headed downtown and spotted Becca on Larry's car near the Piragis outfitting barn. I found spot to park and proceeded to hunt Nibi down, actually he was in the canoe shed with a fellow from the Cliff seminar.
I was invited to join the seminar group for dinner at the Chocolate Moose, being the shy person I am, I sat in complete silence as Cliff held court until a guy at another table asked if I was the Old Scout. The BDBs flew out of my pocket and were passed around the table.
Saturday dawned dark and overcasted as we headed for breakfast and after breakfast Nibi said his goodbyes and headed home. I grabbed a map for the Hegman lakes area and headed to the entry point. I had planned to do a daytrip to the pictographs.
It was an easy trip and after viewing the pictographs it started raining, so I headed back to the entry point.
It was still early so I headed to the new "North American Bear Center" just south of Ely. This is the bear exhibit that Lynn Rogers built and is very well done. Lots of exhibits and pictures and they just got two bears for the live exhibit that can be viewed much like the Wolf center, but the area the bears roam is about 3 times as large.
Lynn Rogers and I discussed the "Bear Story" and he had a microphone in hand and was repeating the story for everyone to hear.
I did learn that he uses a small pocket sized "dog repellant" that sprays a stream of pepper spray and not a fog like the "bear spray".
I headed to dinner at the Ely Steakhouse and met a fellow from Cliff's seminar who was eating alone also. I was great meal and great conversation witha fellow from Alaska, again bears were discussed. Don't use hollowpoints on Grizzlies
Sunday dawn raining so I decided to pass on paddling, but I knew Mr. & Mrs. Sensitive were coming out of Lake One about noon, so I headed out to greet them. They were right on time.
We made arrangements for me to pick them up for dinner, I was going take them the Stoney Point Resort Cafe for a nice big hamburger, but they weren't open. The guy said if he had some hamburger he would have cooked them up for us, but I didn't offer to run to Zup's for a couple pounds of hamburger; instead we headed over to the Ely Steakhouse for a great meal and even better conversation. As Mr. Sensitive mentioned we made and evening of driving around and outside of Ely.
No, we didn't take the fire truck.
Anyway, it was a different weekend in Ely, but still lots of fun.
... getting together with you Friday night/Saturday morning. Thanks for sharing your bunkhouse with me. Glad to hear the rest of your weekend went well and you arrived home safely.
A couple of questions were asked about the paddles I made for my brothers. The ink drawings were done before the glass was applied but after I put one thin coat on the face of the blade. I dipped the cord in brown stain and then let it dry thoroughly before I put it on the blade. I used heavy stick pins to hold it on the edge of the blade as I stretched it around the end. After epoxying both sides of the cord and letting it dry, I removed the pins. It kind of looked a little like acupuncture to a paddle for awhile though. Then the glass went on. The paddles weigh between 23 and 26 oz. each. Lynn, my brothers got to try their paddles today as they were taking the knoo one of them bought from you and John at Copia (16' SR El Tigre)out for a paddle. I couldn't stick around in Milwaukee to join them. I'm assuming all went well, though not hearing from them could mean they are still paddling 12 hours later.
Did I give you 2 barrel harnesses for the blue barrels? I seem to have found one I thought I gave you. I guess I may have had 3. If I gave you my mind, please return it!
Good Tripping and tell the kids we still want some reports and pics!
Kaitlyn
We traveled as the Voyageurs did by canoe, paddled the same lakes, ran the same rapids and packed over their ancient portages." Sig Olson The Lonely Land
The one I have here is for a 60L. I thought I gave you two (2) of the 60 L. The big blue one. Perhpas I should talk to you. email on the way.
Kaitlyn
We traveled as the Voyageurs did by canoe, paddled the same lakes, ran the same rapids and packed over their ancient portages." Sig Olson The Lonely Land
There is a joy in the journey...
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you... Isaiah 43:2
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