Ben - just wanted to say HI.

We just returned from a trip to Long Island Lake with a couple of friends.

Every time I walked the portage between Cross Bay and Rib lakes, I thought of you and Bernice and the crazy crowds that day back in 2011. Can't believe that was six years ago!

It was a much quieter portage this time around... we were the only ones on it. Quiet trip all around actually. on our way in to Long Island both Ham Lake and Cross Bay were completely empty. On our way out... for one last night closer to exit... Cross Bay nice site was full but we camped on Ham and were the only ones on the lake that night.

Hope you are doing well and that we manage to run in to you again one of these days!

Ben is one in a trillion, not a better guy on this planet.

Ben,
I'm hoping your health issues are getting better.

I'm returning to Duluth off and on this winter for good.
If I am around and you need me to bail you out of the hospital again let me know ;-)
Either way, if you need a place to crash in Duluth sometime let me know.
Your stories and dry sense of humor will keep myself, my wife and the dogs entertained.

Thank-you for your service to the fire community.
I will try to get to one of your canoe camp outs next year.

Ben take care and get better I always love your input on this site and amazed how you offered to help so many people over the years.

Holy cow... I don't know what to say. You guys are so kind.
Kari, I'll never forget that day. And pretty cool we've seen each other at other places such as Gunflint lodge. Was thinking of you when doing our fourth of July get together. People are coming and camping at my place more and more. Kind of fun for me.
Maxx (Bill), your humor and insight is unmatched. I look up to you as my elder. If I got that right, you are hours older than me. Haha.
Linden, I laugh at what I put you through that day. It would be fun to see you again.
Pinetree... I love seeing your posts too. This bwca.com family brings tears to my eyes often. I've received emails and messages too. Thank you all! I'm hanging in there, getting ornery being unable to paddle. Haha. I went out a couple times and really paid for it. Hard when you have a canoe you really like sitting there and a lake right there to not go, but it just isn't working for me right now.
Love ya all and if you need to just get away, come up and camp here. Lots of campfire wood to burn, and a fun lake to paddle around.

Hope things are going well Ben. Praying lots and hope to see you at wingnight weekend.

quote nctry: "Hard when you have a canoe you really like sitting there and a lake right there to not go"

Unimaginably tough to deal with, I bet? Hope and pray that your health takes a marked turn for the better!

quote nctry: "Holy cow... I don't know what to say. You guys are so kind.
Kari, I'll never forget that day. And pretty cool we've seen each other at other places such as Gunflint lodge. Was thinking of you when doing our fourth of July get together. People are coming and camping at my place more and more. Kind of fun for me.

"

Was thinking of you over the 4th as well... Chip & I were on a Lady Chain trip but I kept wishing there was a way to hook up with the 4th of July get together before or after our trip.

Not sure when we'll be up that way in the near future with any extra time, we're taking two more QUICK trips this year. Long weekends with overnight driving involved so i won't be able to extend either one but I'll be in touch if we are heading back up another time. We always seem to drive north more often than planned nearly every month.

Take care of yourself, think of you often and am sending strong healing thoughts your way. Hope you can hit the water in a canoe again in the future.

Good luck with everything Ben. Glad that you are getting to live vicariously through all the people camping at your spot. Lot's of others to talk to around here before me, but if you just want to chat, drop me a line.

Hang in there. A lot of us have been through this and sometimes we can get into the wilderness and sometimes we find ways to enjoy the north woods from a cabin. Hoping to camp next year but finding the cabin and day trips to help a lot. Hope you can paddle a bit in the near future, although I know that there are times when even that isn't possible.

Ben, you have always been so thoughtful when other board members are sick. We could all cook up an Olympic-sized pool serving of chicken soup and the debt still wouldn't be paid.

it's good keeping in touch with you, Ben. Life has been full of twists and turns, for sure.
one good thing is that you'll be at the FALL WINGNITE so there will be hugs and good cheer all around!
take care of yourself and don't overdo... i know i sound like a broken record, but your strength will help you get through this health issue.

Healing thoughts from down Iowa way, too, Ben. Like others here, I really appreciate your posts and stories for the know-how, the insights, and your sense of humor. Ray T

Hey nctry - er, Ben. As you know I got the big C too. I recently came to the realization that this is not like a broken leg, you put a cast on it, hobble around for a couple months and then you are good to go. I thought, hey no problem, I get six chemos, get zapped a couple times by radiation, good as new. Uh, doesn't work that way dumbass. This is a bad disease, and something I will need to deal with for the rest of my life. I'm at the stage of figuring out what to do next. Finishing chemo. What bugs me sometimes is when people say, it's all in your attitude. I understand the sentiment, but with this sh**, attitude helps I guess, but they don't see the relics getting treatment at the clinic. Pretty rough. Nice try...
I have a permit for Kawishiwi Lake EP for Sept 18th. That is right on the lake. My partner already bailed on me. My last chemo is on August 30th. I was thinking, would you want to hang out at the Kawish campsite for a night and may be get a site in Kawish Lake for a night or whatever. Sounds like you are kinda hurtin. Not sure. Maybe some of your pals could swing by. Just a thought. I may parlay that into a couple day Island River trip. Best to you. You are my bro, only we know the real dope, we gotta stick together. Cheers, WK - er, scat.

Thinking about you also scat.... Cancer is a very evil.

Each year I would bring my father in law to the Kawishiwi Lake campground for a few days. He ablsolutely loved it there. It was his favorite getaway. I hope you can find some peace there.