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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 11:59AM
Title: Trip Report - Amazing! You Just Can't Be Too Careful!
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Dbldppr1250 09/24/2012 02:18PM
New Trip Report posted by Dbldppr1250

Trip Name: Amazing! You Just Can't Be Too Careful!.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report
joetrain 10/02/2012 09:40AM
Hi I enjoyed your report and I can relate to the stress of traveling with a canoe for long distances. I now own a car with a rack however I am still constantly aware that this thing could come off at any time. I secure the boat to the rack ,tie front and back,and even run a strap over the canoe and through my vehicle. When I stop over night I chain and lock my canoe to my door pillar. Once traveling home I stopped for rest and someone actually tried to take my canoe while we were sleeping in the car. My son 'the policeman' handeled it perfectly. Sorry you had to cut your trip short but it seems you made the right decision. I have used LaTourells for years and would not think of using any one else. Hope you continue to heal and God bless.


~JOE~
BRic 10/10/2012 06:36PM
Too bad it was cut short. Great report though and what a bounty on your first day for fish!


boonie 10/10/2012 07:09PM
Glad you got to go on another trip after all those problems and sorry you had to cut it short, but lessons learned and better next time.
trashbag 10/10/2012 11:03AM
your not supposed to stand in the boat mr d! that could have been really bad. we need to coordinate our trips next time. ill drive and help you get your stuff to camp and pick you up on the way out. 2 days in the bwca still beats no days. glad to see you made it out safe.
inspector13 09/24/2012 03:37PM

I think I recognize that roadside park. Was it by Camp Douglas? If so there used to be a carving of the Madonna and Child in that sandstone bluff a short walk from the parking lot.


Rob Johnson 10/04/2012 12:08AM
Thanks for recording your tale. As I age I have come to realize how much of our lives hinges on such tiny moments like "putting the cap on the pill bottle". At least your incident was accidental, I've had trips change dramatically because of stupid, wuick decision, errors in judgement "no those waves aren't too big".


If you had told me 20 years ago that my trips would hinge on having enough medication along I would have scoffed...now I live it just like you do.


Thanks again for sharing.
hwdhusky 02/18/2013 05:38PM
Great trip report. Too bad it was cut short but was glad to hear you made it out safely.
inspector13 09/25/2012 11:40AM

That’s got to be it then. Years back I read a roadside marker about the pinnacles and mesa-like bluffs in that area, and learned they were carved that way by waves, "sea" ice, and wind when they were islands in Glacial Lake Wisconsin. They were formed much the same way as "sea stacks" and the Apostle Islands are carved by Lake Superior.


ozarkpaddler 09/26/2012 04:12PM
Hate that you had to shorten your trip, but I enjoyed your report. I can imagine what a headache those winds were like with the foam blocks, I used to use them myself. And driving up through Illinois seems to always be windy. Hope you're healing up well!
Canoodler 09/26/2012 09:36AM
With your introduction description of your health issues my thought was how in the world was this person ever going to do any serious canoeing? It became obvious that you were very conservative on the paddle/portage distances and time spent away from LaTourell's. What a trooper!! Travel 850 miles, wow! I thought that my travel distance was long from Michigan. Now that shows real determination! Good luck to you, youngster! Many happy trails in the future! And... I am jealous, you saw a moose! I haven't seen one in years in the BW or Q.
Dbldppr1250 09/26/2012 12:07PM
quote Canoodler: "With your introduction description of your health issues my thought was how in the world was this person ever going to do any serious canoeing? It became obvious that you were very conservative on the paddle/portage distances and time spent away from LaTourell's. What a trooper!! Travel 850 miles, wow! I thought that my travel distance was long from Michigan. Now that shows real determination! Good luck to you, youngster! Many happy trails in the future! And... I am jealous, you saw a moose! I haven't seen one in years in the BW or Q."
First one for me in the BWCA - saw one up close in Canada on a fishing trip at Garden Island Lodge - it swam onto the island and was cropping at breakfast time, so the entire resort got to walk down and view from pretty close.

And you, my young man, are only 8 years older than I, so you also qualify as a "youngster!"


Thank you for the nice comments!
ozarkpaddler 09/26/2012 06:16PM
quote Dbldppr1250: "quote ozarkpaddler: "Hate that you had to shorten your trip, but I enjoyed your report. I can imagine what a headache those winds were like with the foam blocks, I used to use them myself. And driving up through Illinois seems to always be windy. Hope you're healing up well!"
I was doing just fine till I hit that big open area hwy 53 where Lake Superior is at Supeior/Duluth, then it really stated blowin'!"



Yeah, it can REALLY blow up on those bridges!
Dbldppr1250 10/11/2012 06:46PM
quote georgelesley: "Dave, loved reading about your trip. As an "oldie" with some health issues, stroke survivor and afib plus a touch of menieres which doesn't help the balance. I can understand your problems. The wife and I did the Moose lake to big Sag border route trip this year just to see if we still could. We live up the Gunflint 5 miles north of GM happy to trip with you anytime and I have two canoes and all the gear two would need."


Sounds great to me - I've been kind of looking for a trip partner(s) for a couple years, and it would be nice to do that. I have never tripped from the eastern side, always out of Ely/Moose Lake, but I'm willing to do whatever.
georgelesley 10/11/2012 03:27PM
Dave, loved reading about your trip. As an "oldie" with some health issues, stroke survivor and afib plus a touch of menieres which doesn't help the balance. I can understand your problems. The wife and I did the Moose lake to big Sag border route trip this year just to see if we still could. We live up the Gunflint 5 miles north of GM happy to trip with you anytime and I have two canoes and all the gear two would need.
Dbldppr1250 09/26/2012 04:19PM
quote ozarkpaddler: "Hate that you had to shorten your trip, but I enjoyed your report. I can imagine what a headache those winds were like with the foam blocks, I used to use them myself. And driving up through Illinois seems to always be windy. Hope you're healing up well!"
I was doing just fine till I hit that big open area hwy 53 where Lake Superior is at Supeior/Duluth, then it really stated blowin'!
Dbldppr1250 09/25/2012 11:22AM
quote eagle93: "Sorry you had to cut your trip short. I, too, have some of your physical problems. They're hard to accept. But, there is a year to to get stronger and healthier. How long did you teach, and what subject area?"
Taught P. E. and coached for 41 years
Dbldppr1250 09/25/2012 11:24AM
quote Papinator: "Bummer on the shorter trip :( Sounds like you've had a rough year!



I wanted to say too, we've been using the foam blocks on the top of our Galant, looks REALLY funny, but has worked great. We live in Des Moines and traveled up north and back with them, we did however switch out the weanie black tie down strap in the middle for a hi-tension strap (10,000 pounder), and it made a world of difference. That baby was on so tight, if the canoe was coming off, the roof was going with it!"

That's probably what I should have done.
eagle93 09/25/2012 12:49AM
Sorry you had to cut your trip short. I, too, have some of your physical problems. They're hard to accept. But, there is a year to to get stronger and healthier. How long did you teach, and what subject area?
Papinator 09/25/2012 01:24AM
Bummer on the shorter trip :( Sounds like you've had a rough year!


I wanted to say too, we've been using the foam blocks on the top of our Galant, looks REALLY funny, but has worked great. We live in Des Moines and traveled up north and back with them, we did however switch out the weanie black tie down strap in the middle for a hi-tension strap (10,000 pounder), and it made a world of difference. That baby was on so tight, if the canoe was coming off, the roof was going with it!
georgelesley 10/12/2012 04:43PM
Dave, send me an email with months/dates that work for you and the sort of trip you are looking for, fishing mostly, travel, base camping, etc. I like base camping after a hard days travel to wherever. Day tripping from there, then a hard day out, but am open to any ideas. BTW, doesn't have to be the East side only, although I am more familiar with it. Look forward to it! George. PH: 218-387-2909.
Dbldppr1250 10/12/2012 08:17PM
quote georgelesley: "Dave, send me an email with months/dates that work for you and the sort of trip you are looking for, fishing mostly, travel, base camping, etc. I like base camping after a hard days travel to wherever. Day tripping from there, then a hard day out, but am open to any ideas. BTW, doesn't have to be the East side only, although I am more familiar with it. Look forward to it! George. PH: 218-387-2909."
Will do - thanks. Mine 314 4407490
Spartan2 10/02/2012 06:35AM
I enjoyed your trip report, but I feel for your difficulties (having a few of my own) and I wish it had ended differently for you. Maybe next year you'll have a bit more success. Don't give up!


We have had trouble even WITH a rack with that stretch going over the bridge at Superior/Duluth in the past! There is just a wind tunnel there that wants to blow canoes off the top of the car! But, speaking from the experience of riding under a canoe for 800 miles every year to Minnesota and then back again, a good canoe rack is essential, IMHO.


Still. . .to have seen a moose and otters in one trip trumps my past several trips in the wildlife department and I envy you that! Good for you to have done this trip with your health challenges. Enjoy your photos and your memories, and thanks for sharing your story.
bapabear 03/05/2013 09:53AM
I'm spending a snowy morning in south central Wisconsin reading through trip reports as an escape from cabin fever and came across your story. I sympathize with your having to cut the trip short but applaud you for getting to the north woods on your own and doing this trip! Good for you! I am inspired to get up there on my own but it just hasn't worked out for me yet.


Retired teacher and coach here also I will be 63 this summer taught for 33 years and coached for most of those at the HS level. Have been subbing the last 7 years. I, too, am fighting through some of life's unplanned difficulties (lymphoma, shoulder surgery about a year ago, still on anti seizure meds following brain surgery and chance of seizures returning is always there) so I applaud your "going after it" on this trip as I contemplate my next trip with friends in June and am still hoping to do a solo of my own someday.


I enjoyed your campfire and rainbow pics and was glad to hear you had some successful fishing! Your choice of lures is about what I bring when I fish because I tend to target pike and bass too.


I can relate with the need for my seizure meds every day just like you needed yours. I pack each day's meds separately but then I put them all in the same place - don't know what I'd do if they were to get lost or damaged.


How was canoe portaging with your shoulder? Having to hold my arms up was more difficult for me than the paddling where the work was being done below shoulder level.


Good thinking on solving the driving home with the canoe issue!


Here's hoping your next trip is a long and healthy one!!
Dbldppr1250 10/10/2012 12:47PM
quote trashbag: "your not supposed to stand in the boat mr d! that could have been really bad. we need to coordinate our trips next time. ill drive and help you get your stuff to camp and pick you up on the way out. 2 days in the bwca still beats no days. glad to see you made it out safe. "


Dave, I would love to go up there with you. You name it, I'll do it.
Dbldppr1250 09/24/2012 08:12PM
I know I was on I 90, and east of Eau Claire by maybe an hour, more or less. The chimney-shaped rock formations were very striking, and I wonder about them every time I pass by.
Dbldppr1250 10/17/2012 02:55PM
quote trashbag: "quote Dbldppr1250: "I thought I remembered something about that a few months ago."
i think that fell through. is wing night a camping thing or just meeting up at a bar? would be tough to coordinate with people all over the state.
and yes mr d i am serious about coordinating our trips. however im thinking the everglades for my next trip. keep me posted on your trip plans anyway"

Wow, the Everglades sounds exciting! I know the Suwanee River where we do our 8th grade trip was really neat. That canoe paddle was full of alligators. One year I counted over 70 in one day of ~5 hours paddling. Stephen Foster State Park was where we were.
bbrown6057 10/17/2012 01:26PM
Nice to see another Missourian doing some tripping. Sorry you had some problems on your trip, but it could have been a lot worse! I would still call the trip a success, at least now you know that you can still manage a trip. That's worth a lot in itself!


Troy Mo here, where you located at?
Dbldppr1250 10/17/2012 01:59PM
South St Louis near St Louis Hills - grew up in Webster Groves
bbrown6057 10/17/2012 02:16PM
there are a few of us Missourians in here, still waiting to see if we have our own wing night.
Dbldppr1250 10/17/2012 02:20PM
I thought I remembered something about that a few months ago.
trashbag 10/17/2012 02:25PM
quote Dbldppr1250: "I thought I remembered something about that a few months ago."
i think that fell through. is wing night a camping thing or just meeting up at a bar? would be tough to coordinate with people all over the state.
and yes mr d i am serious about coordinating our trips. however im thinking the everglades for my next trip. keep me posted on your trip plans anyway
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