Sorry if this was recently posted...

What is your morning routine? I'm heading up soon with the husband and some friends for an adult BWCA adventure, and I plan to incorporate some yoga and meditation this time upon wakeup.

My plan...

- wake up
- water
- yoga down by the water (if the campsite allows)
- prayer + meditation
- Organo Gold Coffee (which has Ganoderma lucidum, a powerhouse mushroom oil known for its powerful antioxidants) and I'll bring along some Vital Proteins, a collagen peptides to further boost my morning joe.

Yes. I'm treating it like a wilderness spa!

When I've had my kiddo along usually its wake up, and go get the food bag and make breakfast straight away... I can't wait for a slower morning.

What do you usually do when you wake up?

Enjoy your morning :) You deserve it!

Mine consists of convincing myself to get out of the sack, get out of the tent, ratchet myself into a semi-erect posture (an arcane form of yoga practiced by old arthritic people), engage in some movements with no resemblance to tai-chi, drink a cup of coffee while sighing, watch loons/moose/ducks/chipmunks/beaver, visit the latrine, eat breakfast while staring blankly at the lake, have another coffee while adhering to the adage, "don't just do something, sit there!".

But your plan sounds great.

boonie: "Enjoy your morning :) You deserve it!


Mine consists of convincing myself to get out of the sack, get out of the tent, ratchet myself into a semi-erect posture (an arcane form of yoga practiced by old arthritic people), engage in some movements with no resemblance to tai-chi, drink a cup of coffee while sighing, watch loons/moose/ducks/chipmunks/beaver, visit the latrine, eat breakfast while staring blankly at the lake, have another coffee while adhering to the adage, "don't just do something, sit there!".


But your plan sounds great. "

Hahahaha! More power to you Lindsey, but I tend to follow boonies mantra. Somewhere in there I throw in a pinch, sit, drink coffee and just listen to the woods wake up.

boonie: "Enjoy your morning :) You deserve it!
Mine consists of convincing myself to get out of the sack, get out of the tent, ratchet myself into a semi-erect posture (an arcane form of yoga practiced by old arthritic people), engage in some movements with no resemblance to tai-chi, drink a cup of coffee while sighing, watch loons/moose/ducks/chipmunks/beaver, visit the latrine, eat breakfast while staring blankly at the lake, have another coffee while adhering to the adage, "don't just do something, sit there!".
But your plan sounds great. "

That's MY preferred routine, Boonie, even when I WASN'T old and arthritic (LOL)! Staring at the lake, listening to the loon music, watching the mist rise off of the water, and drinking coffee out of my decades old "Dripolator" with any good coarse ground coffee. When in June, I usually get a bit more protein in my coffee too. I wonder if Black Flies and 'Skeeters have antioxidents (LOL)?

Pretty much with boonie on this one.

I usually start tossing around at about 5 am, but since I probably sat by the fire enjoying the evening until midnight, getting out of the tent can be really hard. We trip in June a lot so I try to convince myself I'm missing some amazing fishing but it's always the late evening and the amazing fishing that I'm so tired in the first place. Therefore, I usually end stumbling out of the tent around 7 and going straight to the cooking area to get some coffee. Where the day goes from there is anybody's guess.

Wake up around 7 am and stumble out of the tent. Start a fire so I can get the water boiling. Put a dip of tobacco in and wait for the water to boil. Make coffee once the water is ready and add some whiskey to it.

Once I have had coffee, whiskey, and chew I then start getting breakfast ready for everyone. Usually this is pancakes and salami. So I cook that up and then get everyone up who isn't and serve breakfast with coffee.

After that I do all the dishes and then head over to my hammock and throw another chew in and relax until I decide what I am doing that day.

Depended so much upon what kind of day.

If we were in a hurry to get on the lake, I would have a quick cup of coffee and start breakfast. Latrine visit first, of course.

But if we weren't (and in our later years we usually weren't in such a hurry), I would painfully climb out of the tent (lots and lots of arthritis here), hope that Spartan1 had the hot water going so that I could have my first cup of decaf or hot chocolate. And then get the photography gear out.

Take camera down to the lake and try to photograph morning mist, morning calm, any available loons, etc. Coffee/hot chocolate usually got cold while I was doing this. Sipping as I did my thing.

We were breakfast people. Snacks were fine for lunch, but we usually had a good hot breakfast with eggs, precooked bacon, hash browns or pancakes, and Tang. For me, breakfast was the big meal of the day.

Spartan1 took this photo on our last trip in 2013, on a cold, foggy morning in May. Brule Lake.

As soon as I am conscious, I lie as still as possible to get a sense of what the day is like outside, to just enjoy the moment, and to avoid detection. As soon as my dog, who has been awake since darkness began to fade, notices any sign of life in me the quiet moment is gone. Then its get dressed as fast as possible while trying to avoid the licks meant to encourage my going faster, and get a ways away from the tent and water for his morning business which then gets moved further into the woods or into the latrine. Hands then get washed, the food barrel is collected and opened, and a bowl full of kibble is served. Once that's done, the morning is mine again. Down to the lake to just see what's there, then down in my chair to lite the stove and make the first cup of coffee of the morning. This is usually all done just before the sun has come up. Human breakfast is prepped and served some time afterwards depending of my level of ambition for the day.

1. Awaken at four. Consider rising. Hit my internal snooze button.

2. Reawaken at 4:10. Hit the snooze again.

3. Up at 4:20. I keep my wet fishing clothes outside the tent and a dry-never-leave-the-tent set for sleeping. Shuck the dry, warm clothes. Don the wet, cold clothes, hastened only by step 4.

4. Pee.

5. Cast a couple times from shore. Empty the canoe if it rained that night.

6. I'm off, eating a Larabar down the water.

Get out of the hammock
Make coffee
Drink coffee
Wake up
Drink coffee
Visit deep woods
Go fish
Come back
Cook breakfast
Continue with day...

I am always the first awake. I usually read for a bit, maybe go down and hang out by the water. Then I start water for coffee to lure my husband out of his hammock and then get breakfast started to lure my son out.

We don't fish, and usually shoot for 100-125 miles in a 10-day trip, trying to visit new lakes, portages, pictographs, etc, each trip. Our morning is usually something like 0630 wake up & crawl from tent, have coffee, eat breakfast, have another coffee (which is used to clean out cup used for breakfast), pack up and start paddling. It's usually 1.5-2 hours from wake up to paddling, but we're faster if weather or schedule dictate...

Our daughter, about 13 at the time, used verse to describe our routine more succinctly:

Dawn broke, the Old Man f@rted,
We packed our sh*t and soon departed.

TZ

Get up at daylight
Hit the latrene
Make coffee
Drink coffee.... listen to the forest
Drink more coffee
Drink more coffee
Pee
Go out fishing
Go back to camp
Drink more coffee

moosedoggie: "Get out of the hammock
Make coffee
Drink coffee
Wake up
Drink coffee
Visit deep woods
Go fish
Come back
Cook breakfast
Continue with day...
"

This is pretty much my routine as well. Gettingout of the hammock is the hardest part.

Tinkle. Make good coffee. Drink good coffee. Tinkle. Make more good coffee and something simple to eat. Drink more good coffee. Eat and drink some water. Tinkle. Transform into a responsible adult, do necessary chores and decide what to do next.

Great question! On group trips I am generally the first one up and the person doing the cooking so I get some coffee water going, enjoy a cup and the sunrise by myself, take a little video and start on the food. When I’m solo, I sleep in maybe a half hour longer, but once I get up it will be less then an hour before I will be packed up and on the water, moving. I’ll eat a quick oatmeal breakfast, break down camp and get ready to go. I may not even drink coffee. Crazy. Outside the wilderness, I rarely do anything in the mornings without a cup of coffee first, but for some reason I feel the need/desire less in the woods. Unless it’s cold.

Tony

Up at first hint of light. Start the coffee. Watch the white horses move. Sip coffee. Maybe take some photos. Maybe a crossword puzzle or two. Look over the map for the day trip ahead. Get breakfast started.

x2jmorris: "I then start getting breakfast ready for everyone. Usually this is pancakes and salami. So I cook that up and then get everyone up who isn't and serve breakfast with coffee.
"

I brought with some pre cooked bacon for last years trip and it was really good. Maybe save the salami for lunch? I almost gagged when I read that. :)

TomT: "

x2jmorris: "I then start getting breakfast ready for everyone. Usually this is pancakes and salami. So I cook that up and then get everyone up who isn't and serve breakfast with coffee.
"

I brought with some pre cooked bacon for last years trip and it was really good. Maybe save the salami for lunch? I almost gagged when I read that. :)



"

Oh the salami is amazing. After the pancakes are cooked I put the salami in the pan and fry it. I also use it with cheese and bread for some good sandwiches.

I am definitely a morning person. I usually get up when I wake up, even if it is still dark out. I always have a camp stove even if the plan is to cook over fire, so the first thing I do is fire up the camp stove. I normally have the water and coffee put in the pot the night before. In 10 minutes I'm sipping a steaming cup of joe. Then, I'll find a spot with a great view and let my thoughts wonder. I will reminisce over the previous days events and think about what will take place that day. Sometimes I will wonder around the area and look for a good photo opportunity. And then, more coffee of course.

I am surprised at how many of you wake while it's still dark. I surely didn't think I was the only one but neither did I think it was as common as I'm reading about here.
My routine no different than others in that I'm awake predawn, make coffee and then the oatmeal. Following are the meds & dietary supplement pills. Usually, Ibuprofen or Tylenol is in the mix.
While I sip another cup of coffee......take in the sights, sounds, and smells of what is around me. Like clockwork, my thoughts wonder of those who have traveled and dwelled in this rugged country 200 years ago. A hundred years ago. What life must have been like. Tough, I would imagine. Do their spirits linger here solo, like mine? You know, just for the view.
Might fiddle with something or the other in camp. A big lake calls for a leisure paddle when the Tylenol does its thing.

x2jmorris & Tom T, a slab of spam is now available in single serving packets.
Is that not good news or what!

I am normally up before anybody else.

I like a morning fire.

Start fire, get the water boiling, enjoy.

mjmkjun you know for the past couple years I look at those spam singles and think about it. I have only had spam once and I had it cold between bread with cheese and it was disgusting. However I have heard it is rather good fried up in a pan.... just haven't taken the plunge yet.

Of course it depends on travel or off day. But I like to get up early... coffee makes for a good morning. I eat breakfast! When traveling with others I’m usually scrambling cause most seem to need to get in the water before the predetermined time we set to leave. My breakfasts are simple measured out eggs, bacon and a pancake. I like a brief morning to soak it in and then shove off. Backtrack... when I wake up on a travel day I pretty much have everything inside my tent rolled and ready for the pack. I get up and do coffee, breakfast which there is some cleanup. At time where dew is a concern I like to pack up tent and fly before the dew sets in. Not a big deal, but I like that.
Layover days are usually more laid back... slower pace...
One thing I’ve noticed is the wide difference in styles and expectations. While I like to get going, I also don’t like rush... Lindsey has a good routine... more than the actual what she does it’s the discipline to make time to do this and probably has a more enjoyable trip doing this. Whether it is yoga or boonie yoga (haha) spending a few moments soaking in the obvious is a great reason many go. Coffee is a nice thing for most... Groups that are run by taskmasters... how unenjoyable is that? Or paddling with people that expect to be waited on? Not who I want to paddle with... I can adjust to most situations. But my ideal routine is my friend.

TomT: "

x2jmorris: "I then start getting breakfast ready for everyone. Usually this is pancakes and salami. So I cook that up and then get everyone up who isn't and serve breakfast with coffee.
"

I brought with some pre cooked bacon for last years trip and it was really good. Maybe save the salami for lunch? I almost gagged when I read that. :)



"

The whiskey is a vital part of this breakfast menu.

x2jmorris: "mjmkjun you know for the past couple years I look at those spam singles and think about it. I have only had spam once and I had it cold between bread with cheese and it was disgusting. However I have heard it is rather good fried up in a pan.... just haven't taken the plunge yet."

Try the turkey spam. Surprisingly good! Too bad it isn't available in single packets in local Walmart or Krogers. I'm not fond of spam, either. In fact, I rarely eat it but for little meat to veggie & rice one-pot meals, it'll do fine. Better consistency and taste than gritty dehydrated beef, IMO. Might as well be eating sand.

hydration
bobber-ation
caffienation
fascination
I'm too classy to mention defecation and urination.

lundojam: "hydration
bobber-ation
caffienation
fascination
I'm too classy to mention defecation and urination.


"

I have always assumed that you're like Kim Jung Un and neither pee nor poop. ;-)

I had to look up organo gold coffee. $ 5.78 an ounce!!!!!!! over$90.00 a pound ! I can camp a week for $90.00 and drink an entire pot of great coffee every morning too. just saying

Wake up
Cast out a bobber
Light a smoke
Coffee
Eat breakfast
More coffee
Another smoke
Visit the latrine
Sometimes lay in the hammock
Go fishing

I'll get up early and watch the sun rise and the world wake up. I'll then get back in my hammock. When I've had a reasonable amount of sleep I'll get up and start some water heating up for a morning tea and meal. Meanwhile, I'll go adjust my solar panels and start charging anything that may need it. I make adjusting the panels part of my day so that it's just taken care of. Usually nothing needs charged. When breakfast and tea is done I'll have that and then start in on a bit of camp chores, at a leisurely pace. Dishes, a bit of wood gathering perhaps, etc.

If we are going to explore or fish, etc. I'll go do that. If not I'll tidy up around my sleeping area. Or I'll do it later but I'll do it at some point.

If May / June: fish and try to ID birdsong
If July: stay in sleeping bag to avoid horseflies and wish it was June
If August: fish and swim
If September: fish and shiver
If October: shiver
Haven't been Nov - Apr

Each month is accompanied by instant coffee. Anything else only adds weight.

merlyn: "I had to look up organo gold coffee. $ 5.78 an ounce!!!!!!! over$90.00 a pound ! I can camp a week for $90.00 and drink an entire pot of great coffee every morning too. just saying"

Oh yeah, it's definitely "treat" coffee. It comes in single packs and tastes downright amazing for instant coffee.

Normally at home I'm drinking Trader Joes coffee for a fraction of the cost. ;-)

I've been loving reading everyone's comments. So fun to see while we're basically the same, wake up and have coffee, I love our personal nuances as well.

We have a running joke that every time we hear the word "adult" in front of something that means its going to be done in the nude.... hope we don't run into your camp before the oatmeal is served.

It really depends on the situation but I love early mornings and in June that usually means really early. I hate coffee but will start with cold or hot tea. I grab breakfast which usually takes little or no preparation, maybe a bagel or a bisconie and watch the morning unfold. How long I sit depends on the how nice the morning is and whether I need to get on the water or not. Sometimes it is really hard to get motivated to move beyond that morning perch.

But if I hear rain on the tent, it is my morning to sleep in. If I want to beat the wind I can be on my way in less than an hour after crawling out of the sack.

I can't believe how relaxed I've become just reading all of the peaceful morning routines. Thanks everyone.

If I am not solo, I really enjoy waking up before everyone else and taking in the quiet solitude.

After getting up, I'd like to wash up a little, start coffee and prep for breakfast.

If it's cold I'll get a small fire going for the others.

I think sitting and drinking coffee looking out at a calm morning lake is about as good as it gets.

Typically my routine is to wake up with the sun. At home I'm not a morning person at all but for some reason in the BWCA I'm up early every morning. This gives me some peace and quiet to start the day which I enjoy.

Usually the dog crawls out of the tent with me. We mosey on down to the water and I usually start the day off with a little fishing from the shore while he patrols the perimeter for any night time invaders. Then I'll go check the wood supply to make sure we're set there to start the day. Then maybe some more fishing. Then I'll get the food bag down to get the coffee started so that its ready by time the wife wakes up. Once the coffee is going I'll probably make a few more casts from shore. Then I'll pour myself the first cup of coffee and grab the most comfortable spot to sit while I sip on the first cup. Once thats done I'll start thinking about getting breakfast going. Thats about the time the wife wakes up. She drinks her coffee while I prep breakfast then we usually share the cooking/clean up process.

This year my 6 year old daughter is joining us. I imagine mornings will be a little different. She'll probably wake up about the same time I do. She'll probably join me in some fishing as she usually does when given the chance. I'll probably have to skip the a little fishing while the coffee brews in favor of getting breakfast going earlier as she likes to eat right away. She also enjoys 2nd and sometimes 3rd breakfast so need to start the first one early to make time for the other 2.

In the BWCA, my morning routine is to make as little noise as possible while preparing my fishing tackle. Then hit the water for as much fishing as Mother Nature allows. If I'm not catching any fish and it's nice out, I'll continue casting and talk to any loons that are nearby. I almost always skip breakfast, though. Many people have a breakfast tradition in the BWCA and that's cool. You gotta do what makes your heart happy :)

Solo travel trips I'm up early as possible, usually just after first light. Pack my sleeping bag in its sack and deflate my air pad. Water on for coffee, back the tent to get dressed and take a wet wipe bath. Break down and pack tent and pad till or atleast till water is ready. Water I'm press. Finish packing tent. Eat breakfast and drink coffee... more water on for more coffee. Take natures call then back to break.down camp and pack and load the boat.
Group trips and solo base camps, usually up early to hear/watch the world come alive. Wet a line.. coffee... then on with the day.

Up at first light. Deep woods asap. Depending on who I am with or alone, start the Pocket Rocket and make coffee while the others break down the tents and start packing. A quick coffee or two with a tablespoon of Baileys mixed in while we work. A bar or two with coffee and load the canoes and go. Does not take long.

We get up when it is light, begin packing up our personal gear, take down the tent(s), carry untie the boats and take them to the water's edge, carry the packs down, then have a couple breakfast bars and hydrate before heading out. Oh, and don't forget visiting the "throne." We like to be up and out in the early morning because it's usually cooler, the wind is usually lower, less people on portages, and the possibility of seeing more wildlife. We get to our next campsite early afternoon and have the rest of the day to relax, fish, swim, read, whatever.

boonie: "Enjoy your morning :) You deserve it!


Mine consists of convincing myself to get out of the sack, get out of the tent, ratchet myself into a semi-erect posture (an arcane form of yoga practiced by old arthritic people), engage in some movements with no resemblance to tai-chi, drink a cup of coffee while sighing, watch loons/moose/ducks/chipmunks/beaver, visit the latrine, eat breakfast while staring blankly at the lake, have another coffee while adhering to the adage, "don't just do something, sit there!".

But your plan sounds great. "

Boonie is younger than I am.. I follow the same steps in a little different order. Latrine comes before coffee.. And after coffee.. and there is the pill box.. SSMTWTHF.....

It's always nice to have morning quiet time just to watch the day unfurl.

Yes, I am, yellowcanoe, but all my parts are original and I believe you now have some new bionic parts :).

But the medications - I've got a bunch now too; didn't have any less than 3 years ago. :(

Turns out my morning routine went more like this:

Wake up, find the food bag, enjoy (regular) coffee and breakfast with friends.

Occasionally stand up and do a few yoga poses as the morning/day progressed.

I did always immediately thank God upon opening my eyes that I was alive and a bear didn't eat us in the middle of the night or steal our food. ;-)

Kinda like me this morning...
Made coffee, one piece Fred’s Cajun bacon, two eggs, and mixed up some yogurt... well it looked like yogurt.... okey, it was pancake mix. But I used homemade maple syrup.
Beautiful mornings are a gift. Here for us to enjoy... (also a time to take morning meds)
Saturday night I found out I had COPD... I was in a pretty good flare up. Not finding a lot of relief yet. But with grandkids and both daughters here I’m feeling blessed. And getting up I still had my moment of solitude... life is good!

First step is always the latrine - better than an alarm clock. Then it depends on the weather, the plan for the day, and who I am with. With Grandpa, I’d go fire up the coffee pot and get at least one cup in before he woke up, then breakfast, then cleaning up breakfast. Grandpa and I would always spend time in Bible reading and prayer before getting going.

Now I wish I was there, darn. :)

get up, usually way before anyone else (cause I'm old and my back hurts)
get coffee, add whiskey or not.

if travelling, wake the blanket butts up, and get packing.
if not, then do nothing
then do more nothing while hoping no one else gets up anytime soon.

I find some ethically sourced organic wood and start a fire.

heavylunch: "I find some ethically sourced organic wood and start a fire."

bahahhaa