I'm wondering if the paddling lives we've led have us a bit better prepared for the social isolation. I'm happy by myself in the woods and on the water. I do pity the people who can only muster misery unless they're with their friends.

Could break down that question into paddlers who go on group trips and those that go solo, just for further nuance.

I think anyone who spends a measurable portion of their yearly lives being by themselves are coping better then more extroverted people right now. I know I am. My wife calls me an Extroverted Introvert. Basically, I can fake being an extrovert but in reality I am an introvert.

There is a quote from Henry David Thoreau that I write on the first page of all my outdoor personal journals: " I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude."

We never did a solo, either of us. But all but a couple of our trips were just the two of us. We are accustomed to being together and getting along.

As a matter of fact, I have been spending some of my time this past week and weekend working on a BWCA.com Trip Report on our 1992 canoe trip, which was 22 days long. I would expect it to be published on the site in about 4 more days. I have enjoyed reliving that trip, as it was my very favorite one, and I am also getting very tired of scanning photos--tedious work! But tedious, time-consuming work isn't all bad. It is tedious walking laps around the house 2-3 times a day; still, I know I am getting stronger and that should be a good thing.

Because of my heart surgery at the end of January, Spartan1 and I had already done a lot of "24/7 togetherness" in the past two months. I was so looking forward to being able to drive again--and now there is nowhere to drive TO!

Not totally true. We have a little lake cottage we can go to, and we will be getting the water hooked up for another season soon. That county in Michigan so far has no cases of Covid19 and our county only has one. Of course that doesn't mean we are safe--just in a waiting mode.

I do love being alone, and I can enjoy a walk in the woods or along the lake shore by myself and not feel deprived. Perhaps the only deprivation I am feeling now is missing church. . .and missing contact with our children and grandchildren.

I remember after a couple of solo trips I happily discovered that I actually enjoyed being with myself - aside from those many moments of talking to myself out loud!

I'm a people person/extrovert but am okay (so far) with the isolation and I'm sure my time solo has definitely helped me in that area.

However, I am concerned that this isolation will go on too long and that human nature lends itself towards needing to be in a social setting. Going to be interesting how it all pans out.

Well, I can always make pancakes (LOL)! Lo and behold, adding cooked wild rice to them makes them even better.

I live alone right now. With the marvels of technology the way they are, I stay in regular touch with my parents, grandparents and other friends so I'm not isolated.

Life is good. I thank God for the blessings He has given me, and I wait patiently until this, too, will pass.

I’d go outside, but it’s snowing! Must be spring somewhere!

Good point. We usually camp with a few people but are perfectly happy on our own.

And we’re good at amusing ourselves too. Might be time for some farkel.

And we know how to cook and go without shopping for a couple of weeks. I did our usual order of dehydrated ingredients for a long trip. Even if we have to fully isolate for a few weeks. We’ve got it. If not, we are ready for a great time in the BW.

And we can deal with weather. It just started raining and my thought is, “woohoo!” Time for all the tourists to leave the beach and we can go for a nice safe quiet walk in our rain gear!

As for actual paddling. We plan to do that too. It will be quiet in our harbor on weekdays.

I can do about everything I normally would because my social life is mostly online anyway. I can still go for long walks with the dog, too. The staying away physically from people is a non-issue for me, although missing Canoecopia was a huge bummer. Fellow paddlers are some of my favorite people.

Not sure if paddling has helped, but 7 years of paralyzed vocal cords has left me highly skilled at social isolation.

Funny you mention it. Yesterday my son was going through the camping gear and came across our stash of vacuum packed toilet paper. He mentioned that we were probably better prepared than most for the crap to hit the fan.

Stimpy: "Funny you mention it. Yesterday my son was going through the camping gear and came across our stash of vacuum packed toilet paper. He mentioned that we were probably better prepared than most for the crap to hit the fan."

Ha! Unfortunately our supply is at our cabin in MN. But we’ve got plenty here, anyway.

But maybe we should do that for an emergency supply!

I have a solo trip planned for May and a trip later in September with Twins87 and partner.

Hopefully the virus will have settled down by September so we can travel in a group.

I work in a hospital so vacation time will be on a wait and see basis.

I live solo. It may not be emotionally healthy, but I've lived alone since '91. Only for a four year period did I live with my brother-in-law in Minnesota but I've been back solo again since '16.
Even now I live out of town at the end of a dead end road, on which I'm the only resident.
In fact - if I heard another person it would be weird.
Other than going to town for the post office or bank or food - nothing has changed in my life. As a professional knife maker I'm still working every day.
I always find it passes time to be creative.
Since the first week of quarantine here in Illinois I've made these:

It seems as if most people on the site are pretty well adjusted socially and spend much of their time with others. Personally I have been a happy semi-loner all my life, spend most of my time with my own brain. Lots to talk about in there!!! It is not the loss of companionship that disturbs me, but rather the overall concern for the well being of civilization in general. A giant step backwards when the planet is already reeling from so many inequalities causes me the most unsettlement. And I am never truly alone, I have a great Dog and shelves full of my other best friends, Books! So many visits to be had there!

Nope, nothing about my enjoyment of wilderness tripping helps with this. I share my trips with others. I'm not the type to be crazy outgoing or anywhere near the center of attention, but I still need social interactions or my mental health suffers. Furthermore, locked in my house is not the same as being out in the wilderness regardless.

I think people who love the BW and have been there a lot could do this whole pandemic program standing on their heads? And I mean this with no disrespect to folks who have a tougher time with it!

I do agree, and was just thinking to myself how I would be plenty happy to weather out this storm and chaos in the woods instead. Spent the other day going through the pack and gear and continuing to plan for our trip May 30th. Hopefully things are in a better place at that point so the trip is not compromised!

I think if you equate it to paddlers being better at being ready it is based off of paddlers being mostly introverts and wanting to be alone. Which is probably not too far off.

I think we paddlers are more prepared. If you can sleep on the ground, go to the bathroom in the woods and make your own food you are ahead of the curve. Heck I even learned which leaves are best for wiping, though no leaves this time of year.

Those who are financially ready though are more prepared as I think this will be harder for most people money wise than health wise. Unfortunately not all people.

mschi772: "Nope, nothing about my enjoyment of wilderness tripping helps with this. I share my trips with others. I'm not the type to be crazy outgoing or anywhere near the center of attention, but I still need social interactions or my mental health suffers. Furthermore, locked in my house is not the same as being out in the wilderness regardless."

This says it perfectly for me. Solo trips, no need, I have friends.

I have done solos, so time on my own is not a big deal. I have spent a good amount of the time in the BWCA, but this is not that. No problem being alone, but being inside with 4 other people almost 24/7 is a challenge. Not that I don't love them dearly, but finding the balance between working from home and taking care of the family and managing e-learning is a difficult task. Getting a little smoother, but it's an all new deal for me.

Realized early into the process that it's not much different from how I live normally. Not sure if that's good or bad. Main thing different is trying to keep the virus out of the house whenever we bring things home. Never realized I was "isolated" before now!

I don’t mind being alone. It’s nice being able to just watch the rain and SLOW down. I spent two hours on the porch this morning watching the storm come in over the river. My dad and I used to do that all the time when I was a little girl. So nice to remember that and him.

Like others have said, wishing I was out in the wilderness somewhere.

I do think it’s sad that borders have been closed. Of course I totally understand why and agree with it. It’s still sad.I love, love, love to travel within the US and internationally. So....trying not to think of my trips that have been canceled. Feeling grateful for my trips to Russia, Australia and The Netherlands the last two years. And all the friends I made.

In all honesty, I’m m ready to get on a plane and go somewhere! : )

However, I know how lucky I am. Asking the Great Mystery to take care of those suffering right now. Just trying to stay in the moment.

From a purely first person perspective, yeah. Before marriage & family, I spent a lot of time alone and it didn't bother me... doesn't bother me to eat at a restaurant by myself, or see a movie, etc..
Right now, it's a break from taking our daughter to all kinds of activities, and saying "no" to sleepovers isn't a battle.
I'd feel I'm in good shape for this now, if not for pulling some muscle in my back last weekend playing with the dog, and now still having some nasty sudden painful back spasms. So I'm pretty worthless. Woke my wife up with a scream today, when I tried to get out of bed at 3am. If not for that crap, I'd be super productive around the house and consider myself fortunate that I'm still working (from home). Company can't lay off people before end of Sept, per government aid stipulations.