Hi all
Well as most of you know I did my first solo trip the week before Memorial Day. The first morning I got out on the water by 6am and it was very rainy and cold. I finally got to a campsite around 10:30 and then decided to base camp there as I was have a lot of hernia problems. I stayed for four days. Here are my thoughts
First thoughts were this is great. I found a great campsite that had everything I needed. If you remember my earlier post about "bumps in the night" that wasn't an issue at all. It was very lonely I must admit. Especially the first two days as all it did was rain and cold. Day two was even colder. When the rain would stop I'd quickly get out on the lake for a paddle and that was great. The third and fourth days were great weather and almost too warm, but a bit windy. I notice when I was in camp I was lonely, but if I was paddling it was great. I did a good job bringing only things I needed. I found I didn't need a fire. I didn't eat even half of the food I brought and I packed pretty light food wise. I really had fun and would do it again, but must admit it would of been a better trip had Tim my brother in law had come along
Mike

Not totally bummed, learned much. Successful trip I'd say.

butthead

PS: Great to meet ya at Fall Lake! bh

quote butthead: "Not totally bummed, learned much. Successful trip I'd say.


butthead


PS: Great to meet ya at Fall Lake! bh"

Hey Ken
Yes great to meet up with you too. Wish I could of stayed longer talking with you.
Mike

You've gotta spill more than that about your trip.

Couple questions,
1. Did you get your Solo set up the way you wanted to and how did she paddle.

2. How'd the wife welcome you back? IE: Are you in or out of the dog house, and do you think she will be more comfortable/accepting if you do another solo.

3. Will you do another solo?

Glad your trip was a success,

PS,
I've been solo so much of my life, (and away from my wife for nearly 4 months now) not just canoeing, that I can't relate to the situation you were concerned with before your first solo, that's why I'm curious.
If I'm prying too much my apologies and you need not respond to my questions.

If you can base camp for 4 days on your first solo than I think your good to go for any future solo trip.
Let the planning begin!

I know after many solos that I like to keep moving but love layovers. So when I travel I go as long as I can without fishing and then set up a nice camp for two nights. Then I can spend the next day doing whatever. Then repeat.

I doubt I could ever spend more than 3 nights at a site without going stir crazy. I'd love to see a trip report.

"Couple questions,
1. Did you get your Solo set up the way you wanted to and how did she paddle."

Yes. I was able to get it pretty much how I had hoped to have it. It paddled very well. I must admit it was so much easier to paddle using a double bladed paddle. I also used my bent shaft paddle and that worked great too. It did seem a bit tippy when I had it empty, but figure I need to get more used to paddling a solo canoe

"2. How'd the wife welcome you back? IE: Are you in or out of the dog house, and do you think she will be more comfortable/accepting if you do another solo."

My wife was very happy to see me and so were my kids when I got back. She was more worried about my hernia problems then anything. I promised her I wouldn't push myself and I didn't. I think she would be very accepting of another solo trip now and would be fine if I went where there are less people after I sort my medical issues. I found I really was extra careful knowing I was alone vs with someone else.

"3. Will you do another solo?"

Yes I sure will. I will wait for nicer weather (warmer). On Tuesday it only hit 40 degrees as a high. Living in Oklahoma for the last 6 years I've become a whimp to cold weather. That was the hardest part, the cold. I enjoyed being out in the canoe and did it as much as possible. That was the best bit. I think a solo trip in the future for me will be a lot of traveling everyday. As I said before I felt lonely at times when I was stuck at the camp during the pouring rain.

Glad your trip was a success,

"PS,
I've been solo so much of my life, (and away from my wife for nearly 4 months now) not just canoeing, that I can't relate to the situation you were concerned with before your first solo, that's why I'm curious.
If I'm prying too much my apologies and you need not respond to my questions"

You are never prying too much. I'm an open book and don't mind at all. I did have a loneliness for my wife and that was the hardest part of the trip. I'm ok away from most people but I do like my wife's company. She's my best friend and it's hard to be away from her. I went to Nepal for work a couple years ago and was away from her for two weeks. That's the longest. I can't imagine you being away for over 4 months.

Thanks for the update whatsit.

I tend to most always be on the move on my solos, I may try to spend more time base camping in the future.

quote Whatsit: "Hi all
Well as most of you know I did my first solo trip the week before Memorial Day. The first morning I got out on the water by 6am and it was very rainy and cold. I finally got to a campsite around 10:30 and then decided to base camp there as I was have a lot of hernia problems. I stayed for four days. Here are my thoughts
First thoughts were this is great. I found a great campsite that had everything I needed. If you remember my earlier post about "bumps in the night" that wasn't an issue at all. It was very lonely I must admit. Especially the first two days as all it did was rain and cold. Day two was even colder. When the rain would stop I'd quickly get out on the lake for a paddle and that was great. The third and fourth days were great weather and almost too warm, but a bit windy. I notice when I was in camp I was lonely, but if I was paddling it was great. I did a good job bringing only things I needed. I found I didn't need a fire. I didn't eat even half of the food I brought and I packed pretty light food wise. I really had fun and would do it again, but must admit it would of been a better trip had Tim my brother in law had come along
Mike"

I wish I could have come along, but the schedule just didn't work. Sorry!
I had a great trip to Sylvania with my brother, my son and his GF though. It's good to know that there isn't just ONE "wilderness" to go to.
(Come see our Wilderness! It's the only Wilderness left! Hurry on over before it's gone! Don't Touch Anything!!!)