Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Planning wife's first trip
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Captn Tony |
2nd trip paddled through BIg Sag to Red Rock to Seagull and she loved that trip. 3rd trip Paddled from Mudro to Fourtown and she wasn't so excited about the goat path portage so realized no hard portages for her. If we had done that on the 1st trip it would have been her last. I'm just sayen start small and work your way to more and more difficult until she decides what's enjoyable and what isn't. |
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Spartan2 |
quote 4keys: "Hmmm. I have always considered myself a low maintainance wife. After reading some of these comments I need to revise that. I must be a no maintainance wife. This was definitely me. My first trip didn't make many concessions to me being a woman, as it was six rigorous days, and no frills. And I loved it (except for the second day.) And I'm still going up there 46 years later! ;-) However, since you want something different. . . Your initial plan is a good one, in my opinion. There are some very nice campsites on Pine, and I would personally prefer those over Little Caribou, probably, but it is up to you. The one on Little Caribou is very popular and hard to attain, but Clearwater, Caribou, and Pine all have nice sites. Johnson Falls is a fun hike and she should enjoy that. I would suggest starting at Clearwater, and staying overnight in the historic lodge in one of the charming B&B rooms, having their hearty breakfast in the lodge dining room before your trip. And I would also wholeheartedly agree with Jackfish about the night at the Grand Ely Lodge and especially the dinner out at Burntside Lodge on the night after. Burntside Lodge is probably my favorite place to dine in all of the canoe country, except for Naniboujou Lodge up at Hovland. As a secondary suggestion, I would not go for Lake One. I suppose I would find starting at Rockwood (Poplar to Lizz) and doing Horseshoe, Vista, Gaskin, etc. might be another idea. There are usually moose around that area, and it is a lovely area of smaller lakes. But no waterfall, as I remember. Whatever you choose, have a great time! |
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burck17 |
quote 4keys: "But that's just me. If your wife needs a solar shower or whatever, and you're willing to make the adjustments, then definitely do it. Being together and sharing the experience is more important than carrying a few extra pounds or doing a few extra chores. " Couldn't have said it better myself! |
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yellowhorse |
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Jackfish |
The trip was really all about her and helping her enjoy the trip without me being overly doting. She still had to portage a pack and do some of the camp things, but this was really my way of treating her to an experience that I had been enjoying for over 25 years. We had a great time. We were comfortable, we had some nice campsites and we ate well. (I even packed in some frozen walleye fillets to guarantee that we had a good shore lunch!) After the trip, we spent a night at the Grand Ely Lodge and went for massages in town, then out for dinner at Burntside Lodge - some nice pampering that we both knew would be fun. Everyone is different so, for some, this may not be your cup of tea, but my wife still talks about the entire trip, both canoeing and in town, with a smile on her face. She enjoyed it very much. Good luck to the two of you. |
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BuckFlicks |
Now she says that she won't ever do that willingly, and I respect that. If she ever did come to me and say she wanted to go camping with me, I'd check the back of her neck for alien insertion. The closest I got her to camping was going to Estes Park and getting a cabin for our honeymoon (her idea.) This was in 2013 when they had that devastating flood and we barely made it back to Denver to catch our flight home... and now I'm pretty sure anything that involved mountains or wilderness will receive an immediate veto from her from now on. Besides, we do plenty of stuff together. Camping is my thing, my chance to have some me time and/or spend time with my friends I don't get to see very often, to be dudes doing disgusting dude stuff. It's also her chance to have some time to herself. We're both homebodies and love spending time together, but we also need to have alone time occasionally - so there's no resentment from her if I go camp, and there's no resentment from me if she has no interest in going. Not critical of anyone's stance on this topic. Just a different perspective that works for my wife and me. |
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AmarilloJim |
Sounds like you may want to offset a few days in the wild with a few days on the North shore and/or Ely. |
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jeepgirl |
Another option is to enter at Lizz and head to Horseshoe. Basecamp and look for moose on Horseshoe. Day trip to Vista and Gaskin. 3 easy portages to Horseshoe. Beautiful scenery. |
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Birdknowsbest |
quote burck17: "Looking at this trip plan maybe I should just put in on Clearwater and go from that end rather than pine? Any suggestions? Also anyone ever have issues with motor traffic on Clearwater? If there are not to many motors may Basecamp on that lake and just do day trips from there." The close portage to Caribou from Clearwater isnt that bad. Some mud early and a little up and down. Paddle east to the last campsite on the left or go check out the 5 star site on little caribou. I dont suggest taking the middle portage out of caribou into Clearwater. It is very steep and leaves you with a really long paddle back to EP 62. And you are heading west so likely into the wind. Why not just go in at Lake one and find a nice spot to basecamp on Lake 2? Its really easy and can give you a good test to see how she does. Caw |
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timatkn |
My wife does like to rough it, but if I brought her in June she would hate it. Sure the fishing is better but it is typically wetter, more bugs, and can be cold...swimming is hit or miss. For those of us who like to fish big deal but for just plain camping it isn’t typically the best time. While late July or early August we typically can swim daily as it is warmer, it is drier, thus less bugs as well. i don’t know if anyone mentioned or maybe it is obvious but the simplist thing to do for new people is actually have a conversation on what they want and expect and then try to match it or re-set expectations if they are way out of proportion. T |
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I-Hawk |
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burck17 |
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4keys |
I think the only concessions my husband has made for me is to lift my pack onto my back (my pack is usually heavier, but he carries the canoe) and he usually handles the saw while I collect kindling. But I must say I'm ok with most portages (sense of accomplishment after a tough one), and dealing with bugs and such is just part of it. I'd rather have bugs than people or car camping. But that's just me. If your wife needs a solar shower or whatever, and you're willing to make the adjustments, then definitely do it. Being together and sharing the experience is more important than carrying a few extra pounds or doing a few extra chores. |
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mastertangler |
quote 4keys: "Hmmm. I have always considered myself a low maintainance wife. After reading some of these comments I need to revise that. I must be a no maintainance wife. I admire your tact. Many responses, mine included, have been how to make the trip more comfortable for the fairer sex. Perfectly logical considering its her first canoe trip. The same messages could be applied to men on a first canoe trip as well. I remember my big black belt buddy being a bit panicked in Algonquin on our first canoe trip while we unloaded in a thick swarm of black flies. I also remember two young ladies I met with ice axes who were going off trail in the Cascade mountain range for a week. Its not always about gender but rather experience. |
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cowdoc |
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burck17 |
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burck17 |
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canoerone |
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mastertangler |
Rather than worry about day trips and fishing I would be concentrating on the details which would make the trip enjoyable for her. And that means defining her tolerances when it comes to such things as bugs and sleeping preferences as well as understanding if she gets "bored" easily. I took my wife and daughter canoeing on a day trip down a spectacularly beautiful northern river and within a few hours they were both rather bored and uncomfortable. If your wife has a low tolerance for insects then accommodations should be made. You can go during August when bugs are not so tough and weather is usually comfortable or you can get a screened shelter if you go during the spring or early summer. I am also a firm believer in comfort and consider chairs with back rests as required gear......both in and out of the canoe. And of course one must consider if she is fine reading a book while your out fishing. If not, other activities should be brought along. In other words, particularly on her first trip, every effort should be made to let her know and understand that she is the priority. i am a firm believer that when a mans wife is made to feel special she is far more apt to feel content, happy and secure. |
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bposteve |
Pine lake is a big lake, and if it's windy it can be a real pain to paddle. I wouldn't steer you away from it, just be aware and don't be shy of cutting a paddle day short to stay out of the waves. |
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nofish |
Also its helpful if you know what issues your wife is going to be most annoyed by. For my wife its mosquitoes. They love her and her skin really reacts to bites so a bad mosquito trip would make her really hate the trip. For this reason we usually go in mid to late August when the bugs have started to die down but the weather and water is still warm. If you know the one thing that will really compromise the trip for your wife then you know the major thing to avoid either by when or where you plan your trip or perhaps by how you pack for the trip. Good luck, I hope you both have a great time. |
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burck17 |
Also any advice on other routes will be taken into consideration. Priority being an easy and scenic route, I'm fine seeing other people and with poor fishing. Thanks. |