New Trip Report posted by KayakosaurusMike

Trip Name: From City Streets to Canoe Seats: Far From Disappointed.

Entry Point: 27

Click Here to View Trip Report

Nice report....felt like I was right there.

About that kayak.....you monster! Next time rent a solo canoe, maybe.

This is a beautifully written trip report! Bravo! So much of your writing cuts through the noise to find the answer to “Why do I love the Boundary Waters?” Your crew obviously has a tight bond, shown in the beaming smiles, teamwork, and your clear descriptions of each person’s role. Lifelong friends for sure. I also love the conveyed sense of how whatever happens out there…you earn it. And the great satisfaction that comes from doing so.

Also…Good for you (and your wife!) for making the effort to make this trip happen with an infant in the house. When a new baby enters the picture, life gets difficult, and the responsibilities at home pile up fast. But maintaining friendships and seeking out adventure in the wilderness is NOT a frivolous thing…it’s maintaining your health. As a father of five, it feels more and more difficult to get to the BWCA each year, but especially now that I’m bringing my kids…more important than ever. Keep on keeping on!

I’ll be re-reading this one more than once! Very well done.

Solo Canoe, would have been much better. For budget purposes, I did already own the Kayak, so that was a benefit. Other than the portaging, the Kayak was AMAZING to have on the water. Super comfortable, stable, and made it really easy to fish, but I think it will be the only time I bring it.

Thank you for your kind words!

YardstickAngler,

Thank you for your kind words! I had a blast writing it. This is my first time posting a trip report and I anticipate it will be a tradition from now on. It's such a good way to document and share the trip in fuller detail than any phone call or general conversation will cover.

Yes, my wife is an angel. So blessed to have such a supportive partner. We live in a big city and she knows how stir crazy I can get here so her willingness to let me go into the wilderness to reset has been such a special thing.

Great report. I love when a report makes me feel like I was along for the trip and yours succeeded in that. The groove you got into of everyone falling into their roles is a great feeling. You never know how it will go for the new people and seeing them find their role without being told is a blessing.

It's one thing to bring a kayak into the BW. Once I saw it was a sit-on (rather than sit-in) one, I could only imagine how hard those portages would be. For reference, this year I also had a group of 5 and we opted for a 3-person canoe. This worked out well for the most part, I'll have a trip report up within the week.

I'm also glad to see you're writing up trip reports now. After writing my first one up last year, I'm finding it a very enjoyable way to relive the trip. I typically write mine up months after I've gone up there and it makes me more excited for the next one. Looking forward to reading about your future trips!

Curious:
What radios do you guys use? It's been on my list to get some for future BW trips for the same situation you used them in on Disappointment Lake.

Nice report. Been to that area a couple times. Brings back some good memories. very vivid writing and imagery. I enjoyed reading through your recount of your trip.

Amazing report! This might be the most well written I've ever read! I am a lifelong educator who taught middle school Language Arts for several years and your writing style brings me right INTO the experience!

Thank you for sharing this as I truly felt the emotions of your trip and made me reminisce about many of my own trips. You brought out the magic, the hardships, and the soulfulness that the BWCA provides.
Thank you again and I hope to read more reports on the future!

Btw - A 27# solo canoe sounds waaayyy better than your heavy kayak!!!