New Trip Report posted by YardstickAngler

Trip Name: Fully Alive and Well: Solo on the Frost River.

Entry Point: 51

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That was one of the best trip reports that I have ever read! Very detailed and long but I couldn't stop reading because it was so well done. I hope that you are able to trip with your boys in the future and I hope that they enjoy the beauty, peace, and adventure as much as you do.

Northwoodsman: "That was one of the best trip reports that I have ever read! Very detailed and long but I couldn't stop reading because it was so well done. I hope that you are able to trip with your boys in the future and I hope that they enjoy the beauty, peace, and adventure as much as you do."

Agreed.

Well done.

Thank you both! By the time I finally have all my thoughts written down, it’s long past time to start packing for the next trip!

I’m busting at the seams to get my boys up there. It will be a totally different kind of trip. But it will be no less amazing.

YardstickAngler,

I think this is my favorite trip report to date. It's helpful for all of the practical reasons: tips, techniques and experiences you relate that help the reader evolve their gear, food, routes and decision making. It's also a great report because you are a very thoughtful and reflective person. Finally, you are a talented writer and reading good writing is a true pleasure.

I am long past the trials of being a young dad, husband and breadwinner living in that overwhelming chaos. I do remember those times well, even with my youngest now in his 30s. Reflecting on my journey and the glimpse you've shared of yours, I think your attitude, faith, self-reflection, focus and testing and adjusting as you go, all point to you having the right tools for a successful journey through the chaos years.

Enjoy getting the kids out with you (it's so worth it). My early trips with kids are among my favorite memories and they still talk about those trips as important milestones in their lives. Make those memories but be sure to keep finding some time for yourself without guilt; it's a big part of thriving in a life of service to, and love for, others. Thanks.

Thank you so much for your kind words. Coming from a man who’s been down the road ahead of me, it means a great deal.

I often tell my other middle-aged friends that are fighting the same battle that when they’re up at 10:30 doing dishes or trying to fix something in the yard or on their house by the light of a headlamp, know they’re not alone…because so many other dads like me are up doing the same thing. But the world is changed for the better by completing one tiny, inglorious task at a time.

This was my third trip, and since before the first, I’ve wondered why I feel so compelled to take these trips. This year, I feel like I finally found some answers. The Boundary Waters is where I feel most loved, most alive, most human. While sacrifice and duty is so important and usually the order of the day, it’s ok to have time and space to pursue what makes your heart sing.

Yes, the trips with kids will be incredible. I can’t wait, and at the same time, I plan to make time for myself (exercise, art, athletics) to keep my soul, mind, and body healthy for the long haul.

Thank you for your encouragement!

Fabulous trip report. You created a great combination of capturing the sights and sounds, describing the beauty but also the challenges, and combined it with practical tips, solid portage and travel info, and your self reflections.

I have gone through many phases of BWCA travel: early years as a teenager with a camp group, camp counselor in my 20's, taking my son on trips in his teens, then moving into solo trips as my nest emptied. It was fun to read about your perspective of moving from going solo to next year bringing your son on his first trip. Evolving your travels as life and family evolves is powerful.

A couple thoughts on that topic: I know you don't want to consider moving back to a tent, but tents are such a great way to bond with your son. They make a great place to read aloud to each other in the evening, talk over the day free of bugs, a shelter to hang out and play cards if the weather is too nasty for travel with a first-timer. Just think about it.
Make sure to include your son in the planning. What are his goals? What does he expect out of a day. I made the mistake of choosing a loop for our first trip together and when it became clear that my son preferred stopping really early to spend the afternoon swimming, I didn't have the option of shortening the trip. So plan a route that can easily be adjusted in length.
Give him his own set of maps! And his own compass.
You were wondering about the best time of year to take your son for his first trip. My vote is August. Water is warm for swimming and bugs start to decrease. Fishing isn't as great, but still doable.
Know that even if the first trip is bumpy...I didn't my son would ever return...it works out. My son was eager to go back the next year and the next and still my favorite words to hear each year are, "Mom, are we taking a family trip to the BWCA this summer?" We've managed to do so 8 of the 9 past summers.

The thought of bringing my son(s) to the Boundary Waters for many consecutive years as you have is certainly a dream of mine. I can only imagine how that has forged your bond and how many fun stories you guys have together!

Route selection has been a major focus of mine. Obviously I have to really rein it in compared to my solo trips for this first one, and I look forward to that. More time to practice my lousy fishing. I fully expect him to out fish me, and that’s a good thing! When it comes to fishing, I’m learning from him at this point. The main goal activity-wise is fishing, particularly finding some pike and smallmouth.

After perusing the maps endlessly, we’ve both pretty much settled on a Red Rock loop from Sea Gull. Spend 2-3 nights on Sea Gull, maybe a night on Sag, 2-3 nights on Grandpa. I’m fully content if this becomes an out and back loop as the situation dictates. I know this area fairly well and we are both excited about it. We looked at some bigger loops but both of us just want to make sure we accomplish the mission of enjoying the park and having some time to relax, connect, and fish. He’s already becoming familiar with the maps and entry points so we have several more desired routes in the queue for down the road!

I totally hear you on the tent vs. hammock sentiments. That said, we spent a great deal of time together in the basement rigging his new hammock and tarp with guy lines and such, and even got a “practice sleep” in the backyard on Halloween night. He did great! We will see how it goes, but I’m encouraged so far, and we’ve both truly enjoyed working together to get our hammocks and tarp set up just right…and learned plenty of new knots too!

Thanks again for reading and for your thoughtful response. See you out there!

Great trip report. I'm finishing up mine from this year and I thought mine would be a little higher quality than some posted here but yours really raised the bar!!

Fantastic insight all around. Looking forward to reading reports from your future trips, hopefully with your kids!

Thank you for your kind words. Keep chipping away! A solid trip report is an investment in the future, something to look back on and enjoy for a lifetime. It’s just amazing how much work it takes, I swore I’d never finish!