BWCA Bless me father for I have sinned. My last trip was.... because.... Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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      Bless me father for I have sinned. My last trip was.... because....     
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salukiguy
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10/06/2017 02:29PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I want to hear from the folks who don't get to go every year. When was the last time and why so long since? Please share your pain here and ask for forgiveness if you'd like.

For me its been since 2014. Loss of trip partners for various reasons. Also, the family put a higher priority on other vacations and this year when I thought I'd take the family the teenager didn't want to go (we went to Disney instead).
 
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10/06/2017 03:01PM  
It was 2014 for me also. Have had permits each year since, but the trips have fallen apart for one reason or another. Before that it was 2012, and prior to that it was about 15 years. Life gets in the way of being there physically, but I can visit in my mind any time I want.
Now to get started planning for next year!
 
Grandma L
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10/06/2017 03:48PM  
I only got in one short trip this year - down from the usual 4 or 5. The kids and grandkids went and grew up and got real jobs and just don't have time to Sherpa for grandma any more.
I am looking for replacements if anyone is interested?
 
andym
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10/06/2017 07:51PM  
2012: Great trip.

2013: time up north turned into time spent setting up our cabin. A good investment. That fall got to spend a few days three in October and then started yet another series of lymphoma treatments that fall (started dealing with this in 2003).

2014: Had a bone marrow transplant and couldn't even go outside without a filter mask on for pretty much the entire tripping season. Didn't even get to visit our cabin.

2015: relapsed yet again and spent the summer undergoing treatment. Got there for a bit in September and did some day trips.

2016: got there for 4th of July and did some day trips. They gave me a boost for my transplant and that has done great things for me but by end of July was having complications. My new immune system was riled up and decided to attack bits of me. Nothing too serious but we had to cancel our fall trip. My doctors wanted me close by.

2017: still pretty much the same issues but lots of fatigue. That's finally getting better. Was up at the cabin for almost two weeks in July, did some day trips but most time was spent with Mom seeing the area. Also got up there for a week in Sept. Just the two of us. Did some more day trips. Also got all our camping gear arranged in our storage space.

2018: Ooo, it's gonna happen.

I really miss a long BWCA trip. But I'm glad we have the cabin where we can feel at home and enjoy our friends and a bit of the northwoods. Even on a day trip, once we're away from motors, I can feel the wonder of canoeing through this amazing area.
 
10/06/2017 08:14PM  
1986 was our first trip for our honeymoon (the Crab Lake portage was a good first test).

Then jobs, time, distance, and kids got in the way.

2010 took a trip through Mudro with the kids.

Active and involved teenagers meant we missed BW again.

2015 A trip out of Clearwater, where we camped for a few days while BlueSkiesWI paddled his first solo loop and then met up with us for a few more days of fishing.

2016 another trip out of Clearwater but this time we took a brotherinlaw and his girlfriend.

2017. This year we tripped vicariously through our son BlueSkiesWI on his solo (he used a SPOT). We took too many other trips this year and couldn't take more time off. Utah, DC, Sylvania ( our BW compromise). Husband took a week to fish in Canada. And we're going to the Bahamas in a few weeks (sailing, snorkeling, fishing with in-laws). Darn jobs and money just keep getting in the way!
 
10/06/2017 09:37PM  
Last time was 2014,
I've spent the last three summers in AK, logging over 30 canoe trips counting day trips and overhighters.
I'll be back paddling in the BW next year, since I recently retired and moving back to Mn.
 
Birdknowsbest
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10/06/2017 11:35PM  
Is there a trip meet up section on this board anywhere? That seems like a good idea to me. For ppl whose friends couldnt make it or want to go, but not alone. Seems like it could be a sub forum.

Caw
 
10/07/2017 05:58AM  
quote Birdknowsbest: "Is there a trip meet up section on this board anywhere? That seems like a good idea to me. For ppl whose friends couldnt make it or want to go, but not alone. Seems like it could be a sub forum.


Caw"


Here you go
 
10/07/2017 08:29AM  
Our last trip was 2013, but I think I have to say our last "real" canoe trip was 2012, and we had to have help to do it.

But it isn't a sin in my eyes. It is just changes in our lives that make other changes necessary. It is adjustments to our activities due to adjustments in our situation. And it is disappointing on one level, but highly satisfying on another level. You can be bitter, or you can be thankful. I am choosing to reflect on the memories of 42 years of canoe-tripping in the BWCA and Quetico (with a little Algonquin and Temagami thrown in) and learn a new way to love the north country. Thanks to a grandchild who loves it as much as we do, it hasn't been that difficult.

I will be posting a small trip report later today about our vacation in the canoe country with our granddaughter. If you read that, I think you will understand what I mean.

Would I turn the clock back? Change things back to the way they used to be? Sure. But we cannot do that. And there are still some wonderful adventures to be had in the canoe country even if you don't forge into the wilderness with your pack on your back.

And, actually, there is a big, wide world of other beautiful places to see, also. But the canoe country, for us at least, always feels like "home".

 
SaganagaJoe
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10/07/2017 09:51AM  
My last trip was September 2016. That trip was actually a serendipity because I also took one in August. I saw the northern lights for the first time that September. What a great time that was.

I haven't come back for a canoe trip because I spent my outdoors summer hiking time in the Cascade and Olympic mountains in Washington state! Lots of day hikes, 3 overnight trips, and one more 3-dayer starting Monday morning. No regrets and certainly not a sin.

I wanted to get these in because I suspect I may be moving from Washington in the coming months, and feel like I need to make hay while the sun shines. Canoe country will, Lord willing, still be there for me when I'm ready to go again.
 
Eyedocron
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10/07/2017 08:22PM  
There is a trip partner finder private forum. Found extra crew twice and they were normal canoe people.
 
Moonpath
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10/07/2017 11:42PM  
My last trip was 2015. So many things happening with grandkids, and parents in their 90's, a major move for ourselves. Got to our cabin in N WI each year, and this year made it to the Big Fork river in MN for muskie fishing, but need to really plan a trip to quetico next year. Now I will be 68 and my main fishing bud will be 75. Things get tougher at our age. But, I still plan to got everything equal. We will see. Best, Jerry G
 
MrBreeze
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10/08/2017 09:42AM  
2015 was last real trip. 4 daybasecamp on Ensign. It is just hard to get back being in Nevada and a lot of life changes recently. Missed minnesota completely in 2016 and got up there this year but we camped in Superior forest, no BW trip. Would love to get up there forever but life is a balance of what you want and what life wants to gives you. Be happy when you get what you want and greatful for what life gives you.
 
QueticoMike
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10/08/2017 05:08PM  
I feel sad for all of these people :(
 
giddyup
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10/08/2017 09:17PM  
August 2015. Friends and family are not "like minded" when it comes to paddling and primitive camping. Their vacation time is limited and that is definitely not their idea of a vacation.
 
10/09/2017 09:02AM  
1st trip - 2015 with my nine year old son, did the Granite River route over 3 days and got hooked. Figured we'd go every year.

2nd trip - 2016, son now ten, did a full week on Red Rock, Alpine, Jasper and Ogish. Loved every minute of it except for 30 minutes during the bad storm on 7/21/16.

This year - after 15 years my "beloved" employer laid me off in April, along with another 100+ people, as they were owned by a private equity company and looking to sell, so they were cutting expenses to the bone. Now making 70% of what I was making, and didn't have the accumulated time off this year to take a trip....so I spend my time on this board and dreaming of 2018, living vicariously through other members trip reports.
 
10/09/2017 10:30AM  
Boy, unable to paddle due to health issues. So I do run over to Ely here and there. I'm enjoying trip reports and my biggest highlight was following hobbydog on his trip in Atikaki. I'm also able to help others get trips in. My now annual wing night here over the fourth has been fun. Living where I do helps me cope.
 
10/09/2017 10:41AM  
quote giddyup: "August 2015. Friends and family are not "like minded" when it comes to paddling and primitive camping. Their vacation time is limited and that is definitely not their idea of a vacation. "


I have the same issue. I feel your pain. I have maybe 2 people that I go with and setting schedules gets to be tough. Was going to try a solo trip this past year, but other things came up.
 
10/09/2017 11:07AM  
2016.
No trip this year due to knee injury.
Also, we went to Paris and my vacation do re mi was spent there.
 
yellowcanoe
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10/09/2017 07:00PM  
2014 heart attack.
2015 cancer
2016 knee pain and replacement
2017 knee is still acting up
dont get old.
We do get trips in but they involve carts/big water where portaging is not a factor.
We did Bowron Lakes in BC this summer for a week.
 
Northwoodsman
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10/09/2017 07:08PM  
Started tripping in 1980 and regularly spent time in and around the BWCA until 1992.

Then life got in the way and I moved to Texas. Fast forward...

2015 - did the Lady Lake Chain with my brother (EP #37 to EP #38).
2016 - spent several days on Sawbill (day tripped over to Alton) with youngest son (20 at the time).
2016 - EP #38 Sawbill to Cherokee for 4 days
2017 - EP #47 to Gaskin for 5 days
2018 - Planning something for Sept. 20 - 30th, just not sure where but most likely out of EP #47 again.
 
riverrunner
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10/10/2017 07:10AM  
Been lucky enough to do at least one some times two trips per year for the last 15
years.

Been working a on a three year trip but I also have many other interests.
 
MrBreeze
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10/25/2017 12:36PM  
quote QueticoMike: "I feel sad for all of these people :("


Mike, don't feel sad. Anyone who has had the chance to experience the BWCA is blessed. Anyone who gets back there, even every other year or two is truly blessed. Feel sad only for those who have never been lucky enough to go even once.
 
10/25/2017 12:50PM  
Feel a little guilty doing ten trips in the last two years and four North Shore hiking trips plus I've paddled and hiked several other places and state parks, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it, need to keep going why I can, I wish I could paddle today for my birthday but I guess work comes first.
 
BuckFlicks
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10/25/2017 02:13PM  
It's been a long time. At least 2009, I think.

We started traveling for different reasons and my usual trip partner had a kid. Just hasn't been time/money for a week long (or preferably longer) trip.

I've been trying to nudge myself back in that direction. Local river/lake trips, etc. We just remarked this weekend that it's been too long and we need to get back up there.

Coming to this website just about every day doesn't make me feel any better.
 
ozarkpaddler
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10/28/2017 04:46AM  
From '84-2003 I never missed a year and several years had 2-3 trips. Then, 2004 happened. Had an angioplasty with stents go badly and almost died. 2 months later, first time back in a canoe, the damaged leg collapsed and broke my arm. Then, a few months later open heart surgery.

Since then, it's been hit and miss with more "Miss" than "Hit." I have to kneel and cannot sit in a canoe seat more than 10 minutes. I really cannot be in a canoe much more than an hour and a half without pulling over and getting out to walk around a bit. I can barely handle the portages, and once I was the guy that would always RUN the last one on a trip as a tradition. I have had issue with Congestive heart failure and a bad heart valve, etc, etc. Plus tons of medical bills handicapped us financially, so it's been a little more difficult. Add to that, most of my old trip partners have health issues and no longer paddle and/or have passed away.

Last "Real" trip was 2012 but last year did a base camp at Trails End with my nephews for a few days.
 
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