As I have gotten older, I have grown to appreciate the value of setting my course and paddling in than direction (metaphorically) . I recall my youth being more akin to meandering about hoping I get to a place I'd wished to be. I also feel the whole idea of a "bucket list" is a grim concept so, I'd like to tick items off now rather than collect them for later.

I like New Year's resolutions. It is a fresh start, "do over" for past short-comings. I believe it is never too late to become the person we want to be. So, January 1 represents an opportunity to reset the bearing.

With respect to the Wilderness, or outdoors in general, have you a goal for the upcoming year? Tripping to some new destination? Going farther? Faster? Is there a novel experience you will squeeze into the next 12 months?

Wishing you a happy and satisfying 2026.

I have quite a few life goals for 2026. But a it relates to this group, I want to do 2 things...
1. I want to introduce at least another 5 people that have never experienced the Boundary Waters. I've brought more than 30 newbies now, and there's something unique about sharing those first experiences with others. It's really satisfying. Plus a week in the woods together really helps you get to know people. They often become lifelong friends!
2. I want to continue adding to my list of lakes that I've paddled in the BW. I'm now at 226 through 19 different entry points. Considering there are close to 1200 lakes and 47 + overnight paddle entry points, I've got a ways to go! Next year I want to tackle the southwest quadrant through Crab and Cummings.

Personally I don't like New Year's resolutions because - why wait until January 1st if you want or need to get on a better path? The whole idea seems based on hope. At our local YMCA we'll see a dozen or two new people after January 1st and in general all will disappear within 3 weeks. But if resolutions help you in any way I think that's great.

My main ongoing "wilderness" priority is to keep focusing on health and fitness since that helps me enjoy the outdoors. I'm also trying harder to avoid doing stupid things that can cause injuries. I do expect to go to new places and maybe learn to paddle my Advantage faster but I've come to realize that what I really value is just time on the water so I'll be grateful if I can just continue to spend time on the water frequently.

Yeah, NY resolutions are essentially hope. During the darkest, if not quite coldest, days of winter planning a new path for sunnier times can be warming.

I love paddling the BWCA but it has become a bit routine: Secure a permit, plan some meals, paddle which ever direction seems right. This coming year I "hope" to paddle some of the National Scenic Riverways near me. The planning for this kind of adventure becomes a bit more immersive because it is novel. Perhaps tagging this a a "resolution" is a bit grandiose, but it is an experience or change I "hope" for in the coming year.

For me, just a repeat of this year, and that's to spend at least 1,000 hours outdoors (not including things like walking the dog or doing yard work). 1,000 hours of biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, snowshoeing, and so forth.

With a full-time office job, that can be tough. So it's not really a resolution, but a goal. I can usually knock out 250-300 hours just on the bike for the year, and a 5-day canoe trip is another 120 hours. I keep track of it and check in on it halfway through the Summer to see how I'm doing. It motivates me to plan Fall activities and some early Winter stuff.

Two more fresh groups of church youth on trips would be great this year.

We started up a men's group and doing a winter book read but I'd love to get them paddling as well.

A western bowhunt....

A food plot for the deer....

I would happy if those for things happened!

Mine is to fully retire from my business and pass it along to my son, who has mainly been running it for a few years now.
I realized that the more I hang around, the less chance that he will find that person to replace what I do. So my goal is to further set him up for success and plan that clear exit date.
And then go buy myself that dream solo canoe to remind myself why I decided it's time.
And we are having that talk very soon.
I need to do more of what I love. It's just time.
Things look different when you hit 60. Thankfully, I have managed to stay in shape to do the outdoor stuff I love.

The Lorax?????? Wow, it's been a while since I've seen one of your posts! Welcome back! Nice to see that you're still lurking on the board. How's everything going? Btw, I still have the snowshoes I bought from you however-many-years ago. :)

Great to see familiar posters so quickly. My business had kept me too busy for too long. I really missed out on a lot here, but snuck in some good adventures here and there when I could.
I figured a lot of the same folks would be hanging out here. That's what kind of forum it is. One where people would stay.
But yes, I have lurked a little here and there, but needed to get back and see what everyone is doing.
Wild that I've been on some forums for 20+ years now and this one for a very long time also.
I hope everyone is well and it's nice catching up again.

I took a cue from some fella on this forum last year, and tried to spend at least one night outside each month last year. I was great Jan-June, got busy and forgot in July and October. So I'm doing it this year again.

Western Turkey Hunt.

Week-long Namakagon/St. Croix river trip with my wife and youngest. Hoping to GPS plotpoint the different canoe sites un the upper St. Croix to help out on a purchasable map.

My wife has made it a point to get out at least 3-4 nights a month. We have done well with that. A lot of that is because our little off-road Teardrop allows us to just hook up and go on a whim.
I have managed to average at least 40 nights a year. Not nearly enough for me, but a decent amount. Throw a canoe on top of the Tacoma, pull the little teardrop wherever and adventure is where we find it. We have spent a lot of time and got to know some cool locals down on the Buffalo River National Scenic River corridor. Mainly the Jack's Fork and Current Rivers. To the point where we plant our little teardrop on a gravel bar somewhere, and our friends shuttle us up river to float down to our campsite. It's pretty sweet.
I need to get back to my 60 nights a year or better. That happens this year.

Planning to stick to more MN paddling this year. I want to get back to my roots of getting out on some MN river trails. This is made easier now that my son drives and can be a shuttle car.

I also want to try a new area for a solo trip. Like Dreamer, I'm thinking about exploring the SW quadrant after reading an old trip report where I mention wanting to do that. But that could change.

I didn't wait for New Year's to start a better training regimen. About 2.5 months ago, my husband and I started with a personal trainer and I'm seeing some serious improvements in strength and balance. Over 60 is no joke and definitely requires me to not take my health for granted.

Better food in camp this year (need to get started dehydrating everything in sight…)

Catch a lake trout on our trip.

Find some good canoe fishing around here. This spring is key. The tough part is scheduling and being willing to go out and chance lousy fishing.

Work less, so that getting out there less stressful to fit into my life.

YardstickAngler: y fishing.


Work less, so that getting out there less stressful to fit into my life."

I have noticed that especially the last few years. It seems stressful to try beating the clock just in order to rush to fit in some fun. And then I feel bad about getting frustrated when trying to attempt what should be the things I like the most.
I need to make more time for the important things and stop trying to fit the things I like most into little slices of open time.

Well Dave, I'm going for more vegetables.