NOTE: "dd1" = dear daughter #1; "dd2" = dear daughter #2; "ds" = dear son; "dh" = dear husband; "C" = friend of dd1 ============================================================== Mid-way through 2011, dd1 started thinking about the BWCA trip we usually make in the Fall, near her birthday and mine. She asked if this year she could pick our route, because a) it was near her birthday, and b) she wanted to avoid long portages :) As September rolled around, it looked like this would be a mother-daughter trip, since I had already done separate BWCA trips this year with dd2 and ds. Then, dd1 got a brilliant idea to include "C". The girls met and reviewed maps briefly - then jumped at the chance to paddle a small set of lakes near Ely at EP #6 with hardly any portages. Several entry points were closed at this time due to the Pagami Creek wildfire that was burning in the BWCA. We had to select from entries that were north and west of the fire area. The trip would prove to be a good one for me - a lesson in flexibility and enjoying the moment. I didn't paddle all the lakes I wanted to paddle, or see all the things I wanted to see... but I did NAP! and I did giggle, and I did discover that today's teenagers can be a LOT of fun to travel and paddle with... I think "C" and dd1 also had a good time; and they learned that camping can be fun, ashes can be makeup, and jelly beans and gum belong in the bear vault :) I'd paddle with either of them again and again and again... and I hope we do. Girls Rock!