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12/31/2023 04:52PM
Looking forward to 2024!
Little guy just turned 5 and will do his first father /son bwca trip in August after training at SNF campgrounds with me the last 2 years.
Echo the old dog turned 12 at Christmas and has slowed down, but loves the bwca as much as anyone. Hopefully he can join me for another October solo. I’m kind of hoping this mild winter continues and I can make that solo my first April trip instead.
Big duckling turns 19 and it’s her turn for a daddy/daughter trip but has changed what she wants, but we will still be up the north shore and Gunflint Trail hiking. I’m looking forward to our one on one time while her sister gets her turn with mom.
The whole family will also enjoy our annual cabin stay at Rockwood in August and our annual October stay at Nelson’s in Grand Marais.
12/31/2023 06:57PM
MN_Lindsey present!
We will do our annual VNP trip again this year. My husband is currently training for our local fire dept, so two family trips are likely out of the question.
I think I'll do a solo day trip or weekend warrior trip somewhere on my SUP.
Ideas include:
- Crocodile
- Sawbill
- Isabella
- Hog Creek
We will do our annual VNP trip again this year. My husband is currently training for our local fire dept, so two family trips are likely out of the question.
I think I'll do a solo day trip or weekend warrior trip somewhere on my SUP.
Ideas include:
- Crocodile
- Sawbill
- Isabella
- Hog Creek
12/31/2023 09:04PM
I hope everyone has great adventures and good health in 2024!
I’ll be hiking and winter camping in Arizona including a three night paddling trip in Glen Canyon.
A trip to see The April 8th Eclipse where the skies are not cloudy that day.
Camping and Backpacking The Elk Mountains in Colorado.
A BWCA trip.
Utah in the fall including (hopefully) a 4 night trip through Cataract Canyon.
01/01/2024 11:52AM
Present and accounted for.
Going for a paddle today in the local slough.
April or May ( when the snow melts) headed to Spicer Meadows in the Sierra Nevada. Paddle across to the Wilderness side for a night or two of camping.
End of May. Utah backroad camping tour on the motorcycles with 6 friends
July annual family campout in the Redwoods.
August return of the cousins to BWCA/Quetico. Though the other cousin is talking only 5 days this year because he wants to bring some raw newbies. So I'll probably do solo for 5 days beforehand to get my annual allotment of days.
Then Ireland in Sept.
And Back to the Sierra to catch some trout in the fall.
Happy New Year All!
Going for a paddle today in the local slough.
April or May ( when the snow melts) headed to Spicer Meadows in the Sierra Nevada. Paddle across to the Wilderness side for a night or two of camping.
End of May. Utah backroad camping tour on the motorcycles with 6 friends
July annual family campout in the Redwoods.
August return of the cousins to BWCA/Quetico. Though the other cousin is talking only 5 days this year because he wants to bring some raw newbies. So I'll probably do solo for 5 days beforehand to get my annual allotment of days.
Then Ireland in Sept.
And Back to the Sierra to catch some trout in the fall.
Happy New Year All!
01/01/2024 01:53PM
The Spartans are still here in south central Michigan. We have plans for Canoecopia 2024, and a cabin week at Rockwood Lodge in June with Anna. Also have plans for some international travel not canoe-related later in the summer, but don’t want to jinx that by telling you about it.
01/01/2024 04:45PM
Happy New Year and safe travels to all. Planning another trip with my cousin, but we may try to basecamp and do a few day trips between moving days, I'll probably call this the "Return to Malberg" trip. I am also hoping to do a short solo to Mudro in May, and if things work out, I may get a fall solo to Sterling! I had planned Sterling for this fall, but work was too busy and my knee hurt! I have retired from MN Townball baseball after nine years with mixed emotions, 30 was my number and Smoke was my handle! Now more time for horses and paddling, so life goes on as I try to complete my 59th trip around the sun.
01/01/2024 08:19PM
Present. I took my first trip in 7 years this past July. I’m putting the finishing touches on the trip report and hope to get it up soon…but the boys (one just born) keep me busy.
This year probably won’t hold a BWCA trip but lots of canoeing with the family hopefully. My wife had dear friends move to Calgary, Alberta so I am thinking about a road trip to Banff, with the canoe on top of the car…I’d settle for that. :)
This year probably won’t hold a BWCA trip but lots of canoeing with the family hopefully. My wife had dear friends move to Calgary, Alberta so I am thinking about a road trip to Banff, with the canoe on top of the car…I’d settle for that. :)
01/01/2024 09:51PM
SaganagaJoe: "Present. I took my first trip in 7 years this past July. I’m putting the finishing touches on the trip report and hope to get it up soon…but the boys (one just born) keep me busy.
This year probably won’t hold a BWCA trip but lots of canoeing with the family hopefully. My wife had dear friends move to Calgary, Alberta so I am thinking about a road trip to Banff, with the canoe on top of the car…I’d settle for that. :)
Good lookin kids & looking forward to the trip report!
01/02/2024 10:51AM
Alive and kicking!
I’m excited about planning a couple of trips this year! …maybe a solo trip out of Cross Bay or Little Indian Sioux and a “trip lite” out of Sawbill with my 8-year-old granddaughter and her dad. She’ll be a first timer this year so we’ll take it easy on her!
01/02/2024 05:54PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Turning the big 70 in 2024. Thinking my days of portaging deep into the center of Quetico are coming to an end. Planning on going into Pickerel Lake for a 2 week paddle in late June.
Also looking at doing a Fall 2024 3 week 525 mile canoe trip starting at the Erie Canal to the Hudson River to New York City and the Statue of Liberty.
Turning the big 70 in 2024. Thinking my days of portaging deep into the center of Quetico are coming to an end. Planning on going into Pickerel Lake for a 2 week paddle in late June.
Also looking at doing a Fall 2024 3 week 525 mile canoe trip starting at the Erie Canal to the Hudson River to New York City and the Statue of Liberty.
01/03/2024 09:50AM
Present and still kicking. My wife and I will be heading to Punta Cana in two weeks as a 45th wedding anniversary gift from our youngest son and his wife. They and their 4 boys will be going with us too! We are so blessed!
BW trip planned for the second week of June with two sons and 5 grandsons. 31st year of tripping!
Blessings to you all in 2024,
Papalambeau
BW trip planned for the second week of June with two sons and 5 grandsons. 31st year of tripping!
Blessings to you all in 2024,
Papalambeau
01/03/2024 04:32PM
I'm still kickin'!
I only got 30 miles or so of paddling in 2023.
But we did the "Downsize."
Officially empty nesters now and moved from 4000sq ft suburban house on a wooded lot with 10 acres of public woods abutting to an 1100 sq ft apartment in the city with neighbors abutting.
In the burbs I had to drive everywhere, but I now walk just about everywhere!
Trimming the caseload and might actually get up north this summer....
a man can dream can't he?
X-mas photo from the old back yard
I only got 30 miles or so of paddling in 2023.
But we did the "Downsize."
Officially empty nesters now and moved from 4000sq ft suburban house on a wooded lot with 10 acres of public woods abutting to an 1100 sq ft apartment in the city with neighbors abutting.
In the burbs I had to drive everywhere, but I now walk just about everywhere!
Trimming the caseload and might actually get up north this summer....
a man can dream can't he?
X-mas photo from the old back yard
01/03/2024 09:27PM
Still here. Enjoy this website so much over the years.
2023 was crazy--some losses in our extended family and both daughters got married. I turned 60 along the way.
2024 plans: Crooked Lake, church trip (I hope we can do one), bowhunts in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa (depending on tags we draw), SE MN trout, winter camping and lots of shed hunting.
Welcome to the new year! Let's do this thing!
2023 was crazy--some losses in our extended family and both daughters got married. I turned 60 along the way.
2024 plans: Crooked Lake, church trip (I hope we can do one), bowhunts in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa (depending on tags we draw), SE MN trout, winter camping and lots of shed hunting.
Welcome to the new year! Let's do this thing!
01/03/2024 09:55PM
pastorjsackett: "Still here. Enjoy this website so much over the years.
2023 was crazy--some losses in our extended family and both daughters got married. I turned 60 along the way.
2024 plans: Crooked Lake, church trip (I hope we can do one), bowhunts in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa (depending on tags we draw), SE MN trout, winter camping and lots of shed hunting.
Welcome to the new year! Let's do this thing!
Love the Public Land Owner shirt. BHA member here as well. Love the walleye too!
01/04/2024 10:47AM
Happy New Year all! 1191 miles paddled last year. Signed up for the Suwanee River 230, and the Border Route Challenge ( my 7th ) Have unfinished business in Grayling, Mi. ( the Ausable River Canoe Marathon) We missed the 7 hr. Mio dam cut-off by less than a minute and a half. Going to try again if I can find a partner crazy enough to paddle with a 76 yr. old guy. Might do a BW trip with the wife if she's up to it.
01/04/2024 03:39PM
AdamXChicago: "Here. Hoping to get in a couple of trips in 2024.
AdamX "
A couple hours ago I was cleaning up files on my computer and came across this one of you, and then I see your post and just had to show everybody what a studly looking canoeist you were 25 years ago :-)
Hopefully my health issues will soon be resolved and we'll be able to do a trip to Quetico during 2024
01/05/2024 10:43AM
A little late, but happy to be here! Did my first solo in June and my first October trip last year and got some great new experiences. Hoping everyone here is doing well and getting excited for the next paddling season! I'm looking to do another solo, longer this time, via Baker, along with a shorter fishing focused trip via Mudro with a buddy who's never been to the BWCA (in a canoe anyway), and probably a longer group bucket list trip, hopefully a Frost River/Lil Sag tour via Cross Bay/Round.
01/06/2024 06:59AM
johno: "AdamXChicago: "Here. Hoping to get in a couple of trips in 2024.
AdamX "
A couple hours ago I was cleaning up files on my computer and came across this one of you, and then I see your post and just had to show everybody what a studly looking canoeist you were 25 years ago :-)
Hopefully my health issues will soon be resolved and we'll be able to do a trip to Quetico during 2024
"
Wow, time sure does fly. LOL
01/06/2024 11:05AM
Checking in. Just finished my first ever January paddle in NW Wisconsin in a new to me Prism that I scored off the buy and sell here at the Flying Moose. Looking forward to 3 BWCA trips (Ottertrack, Fourtown and TBD in the plans) plus a 5 dayer down the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. 
01/06/2024 02:56PM
I'm a little late to the game here. I am grateful to have been on 4 shorter canoe trips in 2023. I am hoping to do at least four short BW trips and one long one this next season--potentially in the Quetico. A new office job has me daydreaming of the coming season and for exploring new areas around Lake Superior.
01/18/2024 05:43PM
Hello!
I am Hannah, aka "The Northern Philosopher." :) My husband and I first made it to the BWCA in Sept. 2020 due to our college classes being remote still that fall. It made it easy for us to travel to MN (where I am from). Since then we have gone to the Gunflint or Ely sides every summer, but we have taken it slowly, doing only day trips on border lakes. My husband is from Louisiana and did not grow up doing much hiking, canoeing, etc. We both love to kayak and canoe but are still novices at camping! My goal this summer is to possibly do our first overnight in the BWCA (staying in a cabin both before and after the trip). I think we can do it!
01/21/2024 08:32PM
just here to look around once in a while.at 77 and walking with a cane my bw days are over.i do tent camp and enjoy being out.lots of canoe trip videos on youtube
to watch.the bw and the Q are so huge that i seldom see someone where i have gone since the 80's.thats a camp on my first trip in 1985,sort of slack on gear..
to watch.the bw and the Q are so huge that i seldom see someone where i have gone since the 80's.thats a camp on my first trip in 1985,sort of slack on gear..
01/22/2024 09:05AM
I just realized that I didn't remember signing in at the first of the new year.
I didn't make it up north in 2023. I was too busy with work, mucking about with boats, hiking the TMB in the Alps, getting Covid on the way home, addling local flatwater and whitewater, more work, ordering and waiting for my new Northstar Phoenix (it's a beauty!) and then it was generally to cold in the BWCA to be paddling.
It looks like maybe late 2024 for me. After my "bucket list" hike last year, this summer it will be filling another bucket list; motorcycling the remaining states (South Carolina to Oregon) on my quest to ride all 48 contiguous US states. In the fall I will be doing a trip up north, but I'm not sure if it will be the BWCA, Algonquin or some other area in Canada.
A happy 2024 to all!
I didn't make it up north in 2023. I was too busy with work, mucking about with boats, hiking the TMB in the Alps, getting Covid on the way home, addling local flatwater and whitewater, more work, ordering and waiting for my new Northstar Phoenix (it's a beauty!) and then it was generally to cold in the BWCA to be paddling.
It looks like maybe late 2024 for me. After my "bucket list" hike last year, this summer it will be filling another bucket list; motorcycling the remaining states (South Carolina to Oregon) on my quest to ride all 48 contiguous US states. In the fall I will be doing a trip up north, but I'm not sure if it will be the BWCA, Algonquin or some other area in Canada.
A happy 2024 to all!
01/29/2024 03:03PM
Speckled: "shock: "Shock is HERE! Ice fishing at the moment (on beautiful Lake Waconia) and hoping to get in an opener trip on Seagull this year.
"
I grew up in Waconia. Love that town and lake. Town has changed a bit in the last 30 years."
FYI... I responded to your email but haven't heard back from you.
01/29/2024 10:36PM
papalambeau: " Present and still kicking. My wife and I will be heading to Punta Cana in two weeks as a 45th wedding anniversary gift from our youngest son and his wife. They and their four boys will be going with us, too! We are so blessed!
BW trip planned for the second week of June with two sons and 5 grandsons. 31st year of tripping!
Blessings to you all in 2024,
Papalambeau
Glad to hear you are still going strong Dan! Grace and Peace!
02/04/2024 11:32AM
Hmmm... a month or so late getting my name on here. One trip planned for July; just my wife and me again. Many of the guys from church have passed on or aged out and the interest has waned for some. Thirty trips with that group. And, Italy has called the two of us, occupying our usual September BWCAW time slot.
Here's a rare sight for us lately: a campfire.
Solitude on Canoe Lake, September 2023
Here's a rare sight for us lately: a campfire.
Solitude on Canoe Lake, September 2023
02/05/2024 07:50AM
HWMinngrl: "
Hello!
I am Hannah, aka "The Northern Philosopher." :) My husband and I first made it to the BWCA in Sept. 2020 due to our college classes being remote still that fall. It made it easy for us to travel to MN (where I am from). Since then we have gone to the Gunflint or Ely sides every summer, but we have taken it slowly, doing only day trips on border lakes. My husband is from Louisiana and did not grow up doing much hiking, canoeing, etc. We both love to kayak and canoe but are still novices at camping! My goal this summer is to possibly do our first overnight in the BWCA (staying in a cabin both before and after the trip). I think we can do it!"
You for sure can! I’m from Arkansas and was the same as your husband but now my wife and family go canoe camping or backpacking every year. It’s totally worthy it.
02/10/2024 09:45PM
Accomplished my goals for last year by taking a fall boat trip to VNP for the first time.
And also finally planned a canoe trip around my aging golden, she has a half dozen winter BW trips under her collar, but has always been a little big for my solo. So I picked an easy to get to spot and we enjoyed listening to the Twins in Oct together.
I have already booked a repeat trip to VNP this year.
I am hoping to try some winter camping in the next month up there.
This might be a rare year to fit in an April trip.
And there's always the Oct solo......need to figure out a destination.
And also finally planned a canoe trip around my aging golden, she has a half dozen winter BW trips under her collar, but has always been a little big for my solo. So I picked an easy to get to spot and we enjoyed listening to the Twins in Oct together.
I have already booked a repeat trip to VNP this year.
I am hoping to try some winter camping in the next month up there.
This might be a rare year to fit in an April trip.
And there's always the Oct solo......need to figure out a destination.
02/11/2024 12:41PM
Aslowhand: "
Very late to the party. Somehow I missed this thread...
Due to a very mild winter here in Switzerland a first overnighter already has taken place.
Planning to spend a few weeks in Quetico starting at the end of May. "
Hi Aslowhand, Your photo spoke to me. Beautiful location. Love the canoe, tent, wilderness, and mountains. Glad you can already get out and camp...thanks for sharing!
02/24/2024 11:17AM
TuscaroraBorealis: "Frenchy19: "Here and looking forward to paddling season. This little angel is our newest family member and first grandchild; Aurora, and I cannot wait to get her into a canoe!"
Love the name. :)
Congratulations!"
I figured you would approve of her name;-)
02/24/2024 11:18AM
Lightfoot: "Frenchy19: "Here and looking forward to paddling season. This little angel is our newest family member and first grandchild; Aurora, and I cannot wait to get her into a canoe!
Congratulations, Mark.
Of-course your first grandchild is a girl."
Yep; but this one has really blue eyes, and that is a first for anyone on my side of the family. Thanks, Lightfoot!
02/24/2024 08:32PM
Planning a September solo in Quetico. I missed taking trips the last 2 years so excited about getting back into it. Unfortunately my longtime tripping partner Luna had to be put down last Sept. I’ll be doing a true solo this time until our new pup is old enough to go.
Luna on her first trip at 2 and 1/2 yrs old. Louisa Lake, Quetico 2013.
Luna on her first trip at 2 and 1/2 yrs old. Louisa Lake, Quetico 2013.
02/25/2024 11:46AM
TomT: "Planning a September solo in Quetico. I missed taking trips the last 2 years so excited about getting back into it. Unfortunately my longtime tripping partner Luna had to be put down last Sept. I’ll be doing a true solo this time until our new pup is old enough to go.
Luna on her first trip at 2 and 1/2 yrs old. Louisa Lake, Quetico 2013.
So sorry to hear about Luna; losing a pooch is really tough. Hope you enjoy your solo this year, and best wishes with the new pup!
02/25/2024 05:46PM
LindenTree: "TomT:"
" I’ll be doing a true solo this time"
Ha Ha, is that a quote from kanoes?
Good luck with your new pup, it is hard losing a four legged tripping partner.
Luna on her first trip at 2 and 1/2 yrs old. Louisa Lake, Quetico 2013.
I know what you’re talking about. I remember Kanoes didn’t think going with a dog was a real solo trip. I tend to agree with him. I would talk to Luna on trips just to break up any boredom. She was a real good listener :)
And yes it was especially hard losing her and having to make that decision. She will be by phone and desktop screen savers for quite a while I think.
02/25/2024 09:55PM
TomT: "LindenTree: "TomT:"
" I’ll be doing a true solo this time"
Ha Ha, is that a quote from kanoes?
Good luck with your new pup, it is hard losing a four legged tripping partner.
Luna on her first trip at 2 and 1/2 yrs old. Louisa Lake, Quetico 2013.
I know what you’re talking about. I remember Kanoes didn’t think going with a dog was a real solo trip. I tend to agree with him. I would talk to Luna on trips just to break up any boredom. She was a real good listener :)
And yes it was especially hard losing her and having to make that decision. She will be by phone and desktop screen savers for quite a while I think.
"
I count it a solo either way… until those dogs start doggie paddling…
Sorry to hear about Luna… can’t wait to hear you introduce the new pup! Tom T is one of the best BWCA solo paddlers! He’s very good at avoiding people too. Haha! Happy paddling to all our 2024 paddlers!
03/01/2024 08:05AM
Still here, still owe at least one trip report for last year. Looking forward to another two trips with the noodle clan and bananadog and two solos, with another one of them being the one-way solo to meet up with a friend camping at Trail's End on Seagull and then getting a ride back to my car. 
03/17/2024 01:24PM
Happy to be here! I always find myself more active on the board in the winter than in the summer. Two trips last summer, one with a couple family members to Basswood Falls that was cut short by illness and an 11-day solo from Round Lake to Kawishiwi Lake. Permits for E Bearskin and John Lake this year, I guess it's a vento unit year for me! I'll be busy the rest of the summer fixing up a house I just bought here in WI. 20 rods to the lake, 50 rods to the river!
Happy Paddling!
Zac
Happy Paddling!
Zac
