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Farmboy88
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05/21/2018 11:27PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So here is my situation. My usual trip buddies have prior obligations so I talked to my girlfriend and we decided to take a trip together instead. We plan to do some fishing and usual camping things but she is not super keen on the whole tent thing and no showers. So I looked into cabins but I am not a fan of staying in a campground and on a crowded lake. So I am wondering if anyone has any good suggestions? I want her to have fun so she is more likely to want to go again, but I do want her to really get a feel for what I have been enjoying for so long and why I keep going back to the bw! Trip will be 4days and 3nights. Thank you all!
 
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Bumstead
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05/22/2018 04:08AM  
I've utilized Rockwood Lodge on the Gunflint trail a couple times as my entry point. They have nice cabins, although I've used the bunkhouse too. Leaving early in the morning, you could do the loop from Poplar through Swamp, Caribou, Lizz, and back to Poplar. Swamp and Caribou are decent fishing lakes. Look for intel on them. Swamp supposedly a good walleye lake, Caribou has walleye and smallies. Take leeches and fish them under a slip bobber or TGO method. This is one of many possibilities I'm sure you could come up with. Hope you have a great trip.
billconner
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05/22/2018 04:29AM  
Someone recently mentioned remote cabins. I think there are several on a lake south of Fernberg and north of Kawishiwi. Paddle in.

Quite a few in Quetico and north of Quetico - I think both fly in and paddle in. For really remote, Opisquia has some cabins - of course fly in.
Jackfish
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05/22/2018 07:55AM  
Bring a sunshower for her. She'll enjoy being clean(er) and you may even end up using it, too. Hard to top a shower in the middle of nature.

As for sleeping in a tent, what doesn't she like? Make sure you have good equipment (tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags and a decent pillow and she might be surprised at how well she sleeps.

Also, since this is her first trip, do a couple things that she may like, too. Maybe it's a massage in town after the trip. Maybe it's a nice dinner or just some shopping. Whatever it is, make it enjoyable for both of you and your trip will be a home run.

Turn up your speakers: Too Tired to Start a Fire

dele
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05/22/2018 08:14AM  
The first time my wife and I were up north together, we stayed at a friend's cabin on the Gunflint and took a day trip with a canoe into the BWCA. We did about three portages in and three back out. It was enough for her to get just a taste of the amazing things about the wilderness - the natural sounds, tranquility and beauty of the area. She loved it and the next year she felt comfortable doing a full wilderness canoe trip, and we've been going together every year since. If you have aspirations of doing an overnight trip with her some time, maybe try a day trip out this time and see how she likes it.
TrekScouter
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05/22/2018 08:15AM  
Do everything you can to make her comfortable and happy.

Basecamp, don’t travel every day. Schedule your trip in July or August when the temps are warm, and the bugs are fewer. Make sure she has the better sleeping bag and pad. Let her set the schedule and do what she wants throughout the day.

Wash every day using the bucket method. Be the water and rinse boy. Warm the water if temps are cool. She might even enjoy being pampered. Swim if it’s warm enough.

Kill the icky spiders. Bring a secret treat. What Jackfish said.
Farmboy88
senior member (68)senior membersenior member
  
05/22/2018 09:57PM  
Jackfish, I think she is most scared of a big bad wolf climbing into our tent and eating us! lol I was able to talk her into a cabin at Rockwood so we will be able to take day trips into the great BW! And she will get her bed and shower. I think this will be a nice way to break her into the camping world.

Thanks for the advice everybody. Maybe next year I will get her to step up to using the tent.
cburton103
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05/22/2018 10:52PM  
Jackfish: "Bring a sunshower for her. She'll enjoy being clean(er) and you may even end up using it, too. Hard to top a shower in the middle of nature.

As for sleeping in a tent, what doesn't she like? Make sure you have good equipment (tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags and a decent pillow and she might be surprised at how well she sleeps.

Also, since this is her first trip, do a couple things that she may like, too. Maybe it's a massage in town after the trip. Maybe it's a nice dinner or just some shopping. Whatever it is, make it enjoyable for both of you and your trip will be a home run.

Turn up your speakers: Too Tired to Start a Fire "

+1

My wife loves her solar shower. Makes a big difference for her. And there's no reason why sleeping in a tent can't be reasonably comfortable. Make sure you're in a tent that won't let water in and get her a comfortable sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Also, chocolate. Haha.
cburton103
distinguished member(554)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/22/2018 10:54PM  
Farmboy88: "Jackfish, I think she is most scared of a big bad wolf climbing into our tent and eating us! lol I was able to talk her into a cabin at Rockwood so we will be able to take day trips into the great BW! And she will get her bed and shower. I think this will be a nice way to break her into the camping world.

Thanks for the advice everybody. Maybe next year I will get her to step up to using the tent. "

No worries on not getting her all the way to tent camping this year. It's a long game!
05/23/2018 07:22AM  
If basecampjng in future years, look at base camping basics in the list of forums as you enter the message boards on this site. Obviously they work for me, and may be needed by you, depending on the interest generated on this first trip.

Good sleeping is a must, and I suggest taking a twin size air mattress on this trip. Wal-mart for around $75.00. If you do not know for sure your cabin is equipped with a real mattress, this is a must in your case. Hungary Jack Outfitters and cabins has real and thick mattresses. I know from personal use. I have never slept on a quality mattress in the BW area other than there. This a limited sample size and includes mostly bunk houses. Check it out specifically with your would be vendor or possibly members can report in about this issue.

Best of luck.

05/23/2018 09:46AM  
Another option to have on deck is Log Cabin Hideaways.

Triangle lake cabin is nice, but maybe too big for just two. They have more that may better fit your needs... paddle-in day trips into the BWCA and still secluded. Worth a look.

Good Luck.

05/23/2018 08:47PM  
bwcadan: "Good sleeping is a must, and I suggest taking a twin size air mattress on this trip. Wal-mart for around $75.00. If you do not know for sure your cabin is equipped with a real mattress, this is a must in your case. Hungry Jack Outfitters and cabins has real and thick mattresses. I know from personal use. I have never slept on a quality mattress in the BW area other than there. This a limited sample size and includes mostly bunk houses. Check it out specifically with your would be vendor or possibly members can report in about this issue.

Best of luck. "

Have stayed at cabins at Rockwood and the beds are very comfortable. :-)

 
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