I am guilty of that, going from point A to B. I like the attitude of native Americans by Saganaga Lake in the early 1900s.


This is from the book Chips From a Wilderness Log by Calvin Rudstrom - excellent book if you can find one. A collector's item.

book

One of my favorites in the BWCA collection I have.

A buddy and I checked out the Water Tribe event from St Francis to the Grand Portage. About a week across lake country. We passed when we realized all the good camping and fishing we would miss.

I’m definitely guilty of the speed game as well. I get so focused on getting to a specific lake, a specific campsite, through a certain portage that once I’ve made camp I’ll sit and wonder if I’ll remember anything about the day’s journey to get there. I’ve been trying to slow down (especially on portages) and remember to take more photos along the way. To look up more at the trees. To listen more. I can only aspire to be slower and lazier while on a trip.

I think many of us go too fast thru portages wanting to get to the other side. Missing maybe admiring big white pine or red pine trees. Maybe some 300-year-old cedar.

Having a reserved camp site would slow me down :)

I don't want that of course, but that is the reason I push hard.

The way I see it is I explore when I'm traveling and get to camp site late or I travel faster to get to the camp site and then explore. I find getting to camp and then exploring is more relaxing for me.

Great sentiment in that quote. We are slow and alternate between slow and stopped. We can cover a lot of ground in a day but it takes a while due to taking pictures and looking at things. The issue with camp sites may be part of a reason that we tend toward trips that have involve days that we move and then stay at a campsite for a couple to a few nights. That way we can explore an area without worrying about finding camp sites or spending energy packing and setting up a new site. With those slow and steady days and trips that last 8 to 10 days, we can still get into pretty remote areas of the BWCA. And our most amazing day ever was a day trip that started early and finished right at sunset. It would have been hard to do that if we had to then setup camp.

Pinetree: " book

One of my favorites in the BWCA collection I have."

Just ordered.

It takes me forever to get all of our gear across a portage. But it's not because I'm stopping to look at the trees. :-)

airmorse: "

Pinetree: " book


One of my favorites in the BWCA collection I have."

Just ordered. "

you will love it

The vast majority of my paddling is round trips on rivers where I go upstream first. Paddling upstream against current you learn a lot about a river...you learn about the strength of the current across the entire width of the river and at every point along the river, you learn where the channels are, you learn about every feature and obstacle as you dwell over them or poke around them, you learn where the best fishing spots are and where certain critters live. And if you spot an animal you can just stop paddling and coast to a stop as near to the critter as you dare...the lack of noise and movement is ideal for approaching critters. Paddling against current also seems like it gives a more natural workout where sometimes you have to paddle pretty hard just to feel like you're traveling and then the river (current) tells you when you get to rest and when you need to really pick up the pace to get through a section of fast water.

My pace seems to depend partly on how interesting the river is. On one local river I have to paddle about 2 miles to get past a golf course and get out in the woods so I focus on paddling until I get to the secluded area and once I'm in the secluded area I'll stop often just to hang out and look around.

I know my perspective is that of a person who no longer does wilderness tripping (our last trip was in 2013--how can it have been ten years already?). In that decade the BWCA has changed, the amount of usage has no doubt changed, and I think the way people travel has definitely changed. Just in reading on here I perceive more base-camping, the use of technology, and more frequent shorter trips/fewer longer ones (we prefered 10-12 days when at all possible). People seem to be heading for a particular campsite; we never did this. We settled upon a route, and then we checked out campsites along the way, either taking one or rejecting it, and when all were taken of course we paddled on to another lake. I can rarely remember a trip when we had a particular campsite firmly in our minds--certainly if we had been on a lake before we might have a favorite in our memory, but most any would do. It is also easier to find that adequate campsite when there are only two of you.

In 42 years of canoe-tripping we only took a tow once. I hated it. We ended up agreeing that we go there to paddle, and a tow was just not for us. Our tripping style changed, of course, as we aged in those 42 years, and so did the amount of "comfort" gear that we carried.

But what I remember about the subject at hand is our different ways of approaching the portages. Double portaging, he carried the canoe in one trip and a very heavy Duluth pack in the other. I had the food pack, and the duffle pack which was a big black waterproof SeaLine bag. I almost always needed help getting the pack on my back, but then I was good to carry on whatever portage we were doing. On the trip back we would often walk together, and many times at a leisurely pace, unless the threat of bad weather made us need to hurry. And we would compare notes. Spartan1 would say, "Did you see that ENORMOUS PINE TREE?" and I would say, "No, you'll have to point it out to me. I was concentrating on the path." I would say, "Did you notice the violets/wild roses/moccasin flowers/marsh marigolds, etc.?" "No, I was too busy looking at the trees." We decided that I didn't "see the trees for the forest" and he didn't "see the forest for the trees." It always made me feel like we were a good team. Separately we saw and appreciated what we first thought was important, and then together we were able to compare notes and appreciate the other's point of view.

Perhaps that is the joy of having a congenial paddling partner. I have had mine for 56 years, and while we no longer do wilderness tripping, we still do make a yearly trek to the Canoe Country, stay in a cabin, and hike in the woods, paddle on a lake or two, and enjoy the experience together.

I strongly recommend slowing down and seeing/hearing/smelling/feeling every aspect of the Canoe Country while you can. When the time comes that you cannot, you will have very sweet memories, and hopefully some nice photos, too.

It seems ironic that when we get over the hill times seems to go so much faster and we learn to slow down?

Spartan2: "I know my perspective is that of a person who no longer does wilderness tripping (our last trip was in 2013--how can it have been ten years already?). In that decade the BWCA has changed, the amount of usage has no doubt changed, and I think the way people travel has definitely changed. Just in reading on here I preceive more base-camping, the use of technology, and more frequent shorter trips/fewer longer ones (we prefered 10-12 days when at all possible). People seem to be heading for a particular campsite; we never did this. We settled upon a route, and then we checked out campsites along the way, either taking one or rejecting it, and when all were taken of course we paddled on to another lake. I can rarely remember a trip when we had a particular campsite firmly in our minds--certainly if we had been on a lake before we might have a favorite in our memory, but most any would do. It is also easier to find that adequate campsite when there are only two of you.

In 42 years of canoe-tripping we only took a tow once. I hated it. We ended up agreeing that we go there to paddle, and a tow was just not for us. Our tripping style changed, of course, as we aged in those 42 years, and so did the amount of "comfort" gear that we carried.

But what I remember about the subject at hand is our different ways of approaching the portages. Double portaging, he carried the canoe in one trip and a very heavy Duluth pack in the other. I had the food pack, and the duffle pack which was a big black waterproof SeaLine bag. I almost always needed help getting the pack on my back, but then I was good to carry on whatever portage we were doing. On the trip back we would often walk together, and many times at a leisurely pace, unless the threat of bad weather made us need to hurry. And we would compare notes. Spartan1 would say, "Did you see that ENORMOUS PINE TREE?" and I would say, "No, you'll have to point it out to me. I was concentrating on the path." I would say, "Did you notice the violets/wild roses/moccasin flowers/marsh marigolds, etc.?" "No, I was too busy looking at the trees." We decided that I didn't "see the trees for the forest" and he didn't "see the forest for the trees." It always made me feel like we were a good team. Separately we saw and appreciated what we first thought was important, and then together we were able to compare notes and appreciate the other's point of view.

Perhaps that is the joy of having a congenial paddling partner. I have had mine for 56 years, and while we no longer do wilderness tripping, we still do make a yearly trek to the Canoe Country, stay in a cabin, and hike in the woods, paddle on a lake or two, and enjoy the experience together.

I strongly recommend slowing down and seeing/hearing/smelling/feeling every aspect of the Canoe Country while you can. When the time comes that you cannot, you will have very sweet memories, and hopefully some nice photos, too. "

Such a nice write and so much truth there. Sounds like you did it right. Also, by slowing down, you had much more meaningful communication between you two.

bhouse46: "It seems ironic that when we get over the hill times seems to go so much faster and we learn to slow down?"

I think as we age, we observe our surroundings much better and what is happening around us and appreciate it much more. It is just not another big tree or another lake-they all have their own character.

And I would add we know it may be the last time we see some of our favorite places and do our favorite things.
There is a story about an old bull and a young bull standing on a hill considering their options. I won't finish the story here, but the old bull's wisdom of taking time to enjoy what life offers is sound.

Not able to paddle the kind of trips I enjoyed anymore I so much appreciate the fact I took time to enjoy the places I paddled. Having been around the challenge paddlers I can understand their point of view also. I’m glad I stuck to my desires to enjoy my surroundings. We all have our own expectations of our trips. For me in the end it was to really get to know the places I paddled. Taking in creation and seeing places that many never will. Never in all my years of paddling did I have to really worry about finding a campsite. I didn’t just paddle the shoulder seasons… I paddled them all! I didn’t always get the greatest spot… but rarely one I wasn’t comfortable in. It was way more important that I enjoy every moment I could. Most people seemed to base camp in my opinion. During the busiest seasons it didn’t matter so much whether you got to a lake at noon or after dinner. Most people occupying sites were there all day long. Yes you have the oh my goodness I gotta get the earliest campsite possible… I preferred to enjoy the whole day! The only place it was any issue is entry lakes… especially holiday weekends. Then I planned to get past them and such avoiding the crowds… slowing down and enjoying the journey is huge… but I’d never say to anyone they should change to my way. I applaud everyone’s reasonings and such. Fast slow or otherwise… just go enjoy however you must to enjoy your trip.

I always thought I went pretty slow, always believed trips are about the journey and not the destination! Through trips with my cousin, we have both learned from each other, and as we understand the goals of each of us, the trips go better. I think we are both changing, but it is difficult, because when you live six plus hours away, it is not easy to get there, and when you do get a window, there are so many places to see, and time is limited. For summer 2024, my trip planning went from let's do something epic (Sawbill - Frost River - Louse River - Mahlberg then loop through Makwa, Frazier, Thomas, Alice and back out through the Lady Chain to Sawbill) When I got to Louse River, he said once was enough (he did the Louse with his daughter), never again - Epic trip over - and kinda relieved, as that might have killed me. I don't know if we will slow down, but after an hour we decided we will go in on Kawishiwi Lake and stop on Koma first night, or maybe Kawisihiwi, or Square, or I think you all get the drift. That is our planning. We do have other places in mind, but we are going to smell the roses, catch the fish, and do as we desire - within the law of course!
But as others have said, we each are wired differently and have different goals for our trips. Many times these goals change as we get older, and our abilities change. Here is for everyone doing what they are wired for! Each of us will make our own journey in our own way, only changing if we desire change, and in the end we will each reach our destination, whether it is the destination we seek or the destination we find ourselves at. With that, I don't want to judge, but rather encourage all to be whom they are!

Pinetree: "

bhouse46: "It seems ironic that when we get over the hill times seems to go so much faster and we learn to slow down?"

I think as we age, we observe our surroundings much better and what is happening around us and appreciate it much more. It is just not another big tree or another lake-they all have their own character."

I have thought a bit about this pair of comments since my post above. There is certainly truth in it. Our first few trips were all loops, and we moved every day. I don't think we discovered the joy of a "layover day" until we were probably 15 or maybe even 20 years into canoe-tripping. But I also think we always were the kind of trippers who took the time to observe our surroundings and appreciate them.

Part of it may be that we never lived less than several hundred miles away from the Canoe Country, so getting there to even start a trip was an event. Until 1996 our trips were only every-other-year. They were a huge treat.

The rest of it, I think, was Spartan1's attitude. In spite of the fact that he introduced me to canoe-tripping with a challenging 6-day trip, and we worked hard, he also taught me to see everything, and take the time to really "be there" while I was there. A special afternoon and evening come to mind: camped on the Namakan River at Myrtle Falls. (It was 1971, I wasn't "over the hill"--I had just turned 27 years old.) I can still hear the sound of the falls, and remember what I was feeling at that time. It was probably the moment when I began to love the canoe country, and when I decided that I wanted to return.

How It All Began

Just me, my Advantage, and a 20lb pack. I enjoy going fast. In reality it's only a 1-3 mph faster than someone going at a casual speed. You really aren't missing anything then anyone else at that speed

Engaging thread, indeed. I find the discussions here quite valuable.

To me, the passage from the book reflects the inability of both people to understand and appreciate the other's perspective, experiences, and values. I believe they both have valid points that help me find a balance in my personal life.

From my perspective, I'm grateful for the opportunity to drive at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour to reach the BWCA. Fortunately, my daughter or my dad can easily fly across the country in a few hours to join me there. Even internet access allows me to engage in this forum which I suppose is a form of speed through information dissemination. So I guess I do understand the positive role speed can play in life. I also respect that it can cause plenty of problems which is why I seek out time in the wilderness.

Once in the BWCA, everything tends to slow down for me. The absence of work pressures, fewer stresses stemming from societal turmoil, and increased family harmony create an ideal environment for me of natural beauty and wonder. I enjoy indulging in photography, fishing (although I do wish the action would pick up at times!), reading/writing, and observing wildlife. Sometimes we base camp, other times we cover distance, and when I'm alone I can decide whatever I want in the moment.

My life intentionally decelerates in the BWCA, or any wilderness setting, allowing me to savor the moments. However, it's bittersweet, as time seems to pass too quickly while I'm there.

The wilderness is one element of spiritual rejuvenation in my life...

I guess I have a different take…

What do you define as “fast” in canoe country?

I think the average paddler goes 2-2.5 mph…so the group going 3 mph is missing something? I doubt many average much faster than that.

The average walking speed in the US is 3.2 mph, street cross walk lights are set up for 2.7 mph… I doubt many can portage at either of those speeds…so the group going 1 mph is seeing things the group going 2 mph is not?

What I am saying is it seems a little ridiculous to me to say some people travel “too fast” in canoe country or need to slow down. “Fast” in canoe country is slow every where else. If you choose to do a canoe trip you already chose to slow down. There is no such thing as traveling “fast” on a canoe trip…it’s all relative.

Maybe those that want to slow down should walk from their home to the BWCA…ya know…to get the full experience :)

I’ll add…I get the idea of the OP…that in our attempt to get to a destination we can miss the beauty of what is along the way…I don’t disagree with the concept. But please remember EVERYONE on a canoe trip has already slowed way down in some form in their own way. Before this turns into the typical “judging” the quality of others trips—-just thought I’d add a little devils advocate.

T

It is a good point that we have all slowed down to be in the BWCA. I still think there are differences in how we travel and what we see. While we shouldn’t judge others, understanding the differences is important for having a happy group on a trip together.

I think the interesting speed difference is between whatever fairly slow speed people are going in a canoe and stopped. And the question becomes how often and for how long are you willing to stop to observe something? How far out of your way are you willing to detour to do the same?

There is another way to measure speed and that is 1/velocity. It is a quantity called slowness. In terms of slowness, the difference between moving and stopped is infinite.

I like to go fast to get to and from the places where I slow down so I have more time to be slow. Like others said, the BWCA is slow all the time, even while going as fast as you can. Most people are there precisely because of what the quote implies, to enjoy the journey. Within that slowness, some like to dawdle while others enjoy a physical challenge. If you're having fun there's not really a wrong way to do it.

I've taken my family on road trips to both coasts and the main reason we drove was to see all we could along the way. Even so, between points of interest I was all about putting miles behind us. You may say we went slowly as quickly as we could, lol.

Spartan2: "I know my perspective is that of a person who no longer does wilderness tripping (our last trip was in 2013--how can it have been ten years already?). In that decade the BWCA has changed, the amount of usage has no doubt changed, and I think the way people travel has definitely changed. Just in reading on here I perceive more base-camping, the use of technology, and more frequent shorter trips/fewer longer ones (we prefered 10-12 days when at all possible). People seem to be heading for a particular campsite; we never did this. We settled upon a route, and then we checked out campsites along the way, either taking one or rejecting it, and when all were taken of course we paddled on to another lake. I can rarely remember a trip when we had a particular campsite firmly in our minds--certainly if we had been on a lake before we might have a favorite in our memory, but most any would do. It is also easier to find that adequate campsite when there are only two of you.


In 42 years of canoe-tripping we only took a tow once. I hated it. We ended up agreeing that we go there to paddle, and a tow was just not for us. Our tripping style changed, of course, as we aged in those 42 years, and so did the amount of "comfort" gear that we carried.


But what I remember about the subject at hand is our different ways of approaching the portages. Double portaging, he carried the canoe in one trip and a very heavy Duluth pack in the other. I had the food pack, and the duffle pack which was a big black waterproof SeaLine bag. I almost always needed help getting the pack on my back, but then I was good to carry on whatever portage we were doing. On the trip back we would often walk together, and many times at a leisurely pace, unless the threat of bad weather made us need to hurry. And we would compare notes. Spartan1 would say, "Did you see that ENORMOUS PINE TREE?" and I would say, "No, you'll have to point it out to me. I was concentrating on the path." I would say, "Did you notice the violets/wild roses/moccasin flowers/marsh marigolds, etc.?" "No, I was too busy looking at the trees." We decided that I didn't "see the trees for the forest" and he didn't "see the forest for the trees." It always made me feel like we were a good team. Separately we saw and appreciated what we first thought was important, and then together we were able to compare notes and appreciate the other's point of view.


Perhaps that is the joy of having a congenial paddling partner. I have had mine for 56 years, and while we no longer do wilderness tripping, we still do make a yearly trek to the Canoe Country, stay in a cabin, and hike in the woods, paddle on a lake or two, and enjoy the experience together.



I strongly recommend slowing down and seeing/hearing/smelling/feeling every aspect of the Canoe Country while you can. When the time comes that you cannot, you will have very sweet memories, and hopefully some nice photos, too. "

Beautifully written. I can tell that you really appreciate what you've got and what you've done together. What a blessing!

YetiJedi: "Engaging thread, indeed. I find the discussions here quite valuable.


To me, the passage from the book reflects the inability of both people to understand and appreciate the other's perspective, experiences, and values. I believe they both have valid points that help me find a balance in my personal life.


From my perspective, I'm grateful for the opportunity to drive at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour to reach the BWCA. Fortunately, my daughter or my dad can easily fly across the country in a few hours to join me there. Even internet access allows me to engage in this forum which I suppose is a form of speed through information dissemination. So I guess I do understand the positive role speed can play in life. I also respect that it can cause plenty of problems which is why I seek out time in the wilderness.


Once in the BWCA, everything tends to slow down for me. The absence of work pressures, fewer stresses stemming from societal turmoil, and increased family harmony create an ideal environment for me of natural beauty and wonder. I enjoy indulging in photography, fishing (although I do wish the action would pick up at times!), reading/writing, and observing wildlife. Sometimes we base camp, other times we cover distance, and when I'm alone I can decide whatever I want in the moment.


My life intentionally decelerates in the BWCA, or any wilderness setting, allowing me to savor the moments. However, it's bittersweet, as time seems to pass too quickly while I'm there.


The wilderness is one element of spiritual rejuvenation in my life...





"

So true. Thanks for sharing.

Sparton2 I love your comment:
"The rest of it, I think, was Spartan1's attitude. In spite of the fact that he introduced me to canoe-tripping with a challenging 6-day trip, and we worked hard, he also taught me to see everything, and take the time to really "be there" while I was there".

I think so many people are not aware of what is out there? They are just hurrying along and don't appreciate what is out there.

timatkn: "I guess I have a different take…


What do you define as “fast” in canoe country?


I think the average paddler goes 2-2.5 mph…so the group going 3 mph is missing something? I doubt many average much faster than that.


The average walking speed in the US is 3.2 mph, street cross walk lights are set up for 2.7 mph… I doubt many can portage at either of those speeds…so the group going 1 mph is seeing things the group going 2 mph is not?


What I am saying is it seems a little ridiculous to me to say some people travel “too fast” in canoe country or need to slow down. “Fast” in canoe country is slow every where else. If you choose to do a canoe trip you already chose to slow down. There is no such thing as traveling “fast” on a canoe trip…it’s all relative.


Maybe those that want to slow down should walk from their home to the BWCA…ya know…to get the full experience :)

I’ll add…I get the idea of the OP…that in our attempt to get to a destination we can miss the beauty of what is along the way…I don’t disagree with the concept. But please remember EVERYONE on a canoe trip has already slowed way down in some form in their own way. Before this turns into the typical “judging” the quality of others trips—-just thought I’d add a little devils advocate.


T"

I think you are correct for the most part. And I don’t think anyone is judging another’s intent or action. But there are those who travel at a bit of a higher speed and blow past people on portages. Most people just step aside and let ‘em go. I’ve seen very aggressive people out there but they’ve never bothered me.
And there are the “challenge” folks who’s whole purpose is to get from point A to point B in “record” time.
The beauty of being out there spread out in the vast million acres is you can all do it your way. And especially enjoy most all encounters…
One of my first trips with my old dog Bernice… I met a couple on the portage to Shell. The gal especially took a liking to my dog and we talked some while waiting for her guy to complete the second trip on the portage. A couple years past and there was a picture of show us your dog I think and I shared myself and Bernie in the canoe. And JB in the Wild recognized me because of the dog. (I didn’t bring her to the first few wing night campouts). The gal was Diva….

in my younger days i wished i would have slowed down a bit , having the camera always assessable . but we were all jacked to fish ;) Now days i have no choice but to slow down ;)