As we age we slow down and appreciate the trips more observing things and appreciating -the outdoors and your partners in your endeavors. Take nothing for Granted.
For many like myself it use to be a rush to get from A to B destination and still do to show I can still do it. But camp fires and maybe staying at one site just relaxing is getting more important. Watching how nature survives and flourishes. Be it the trees or fish and wildlife.

Have you changed in attitude and goals or expectations over the years.
Just looking at nature and how it ticks becomes more important.
Were so lucky to have the BWCA-Quetico experience

Just keep paddling on. Don't Quit.

Not dead yet…

I don't think my attitude or philosophy has changed but who I go with has continued to change...thus my trips morph and change. I try to adjust every trip to the goals and capabilities of the group...after all, it's not my trip, it's our trip.

The biggest goal for me is just keep going...

T

So true. My dad (72) recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He is in great shape and still feeling good so we are placing an emphasis on making the most of the time we have left. I don’t think this year will be our last trip, but I know we only have a few left. Every minute with him is surreal and full of meaning now. It’s making me re-frame my time with my own kids as well.

I will turn 70 in 6 weeks. I have been coming to the BWCA for that last 16 years. The year I turned 60 we pulled in to Seagull Outfitters and they put us in a tow with two older guys. Deb, the owner of Seagull said that they were her longest running customers with over 30 years of coming up to Gunflint and Seagull Outfitters. They had a lot of packs and gear for two guys in their 70's. We all portaged into Red Rock lake. We didn't see them for the first two days. Then we found their camp site on Red Rock. Every time we paddled by they offered us some of their excess fish and said we looked like we could use some!

My point is that they had come up to Seagull Outfitters for well over 30 years. Every year the same. Shuttle to Red Rock, then paddle to their base camp and fish from the shore. They had all the fish they could eat and talked to everyone that went by.

It is not always about the miles, number of lakes and portages, or single carry. I learned the lesson that it is about learning to relax, and enjoy nature and the company of other men. So for the last 10 years we have become base campers. One of our groups paddles Seagull Lake and finds a camp site and doesn't portage at all. My group just takes the short portage into Red Rock, finding a camp site and we eat and fish all week.

Have we missed anything by not going to different lakes every time or pushing through multiple lakes and portages, never staying at a camp site more then one night?

We don't think so!

thegildedgopher: "So true. My dad (72) recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He is in great shape and still feeling good so we are placing an emphasis on making the most of the time we have left. I don’t think this year will be our last trip, but I know we only have a few left. Every minute with him is surreal and full of meaning now. It’s making me re-frame my time with my own kids as well."

Take care and hope for the best and have some quality time with your Dad.

Pinetree: "

thegildedgopher: "So true. My dad (72) recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He is in great shape and still feeling good so we are placing an emphasis on making the most of the time we have left. I don’t think this year will be our last trip, but I know we only have a few left. Every minute with him is surreal and full of meaning now. It’s making me re-frame my time with my own kids as well."

Take care and hope for the best and have some quality time with your Dad."

Thank you Pinetree. We plan to do all of that.

Pinetree: "Have you changed in attitude and goals or expectations over the years. Just looking at nature and how it ticks becomes more important. "

Yes, I have. Haven't been to the BWCA since covid. Parkinson's, age and various other maladies have slowed me down some. Still able to make a few trips to the St. Croix (Osceola and Log House) each year. Still a great experience. Love the river.

Thank you Pinetree. Great perspective to be reminded of often to keep in the forefront of our mind and to help us be humble, surrendered, and present.

Paddle at your own speed

Lost my mom on February 5. The note of finality hit home.

I'm fortunate to have my health and my partner (son) is now 28 but has a nursing job and is able to get the days off to still go with me. He is not married yet. I know time is against me now.

We've slowed our pace a bit, but also lengthened the trips to more days and more lakes. That part is fun. We've gotten better at finding fish. Son went on his first solo last year. I got help him portage on the first day.

I try to just enjoy it knowing my time is not infinite, yet not be to maudlin or moody about it. I have loved every trip with him since our first in 2012. We started a tripping ministry and now take youth on trips every summer too.

I admit there times I used to get in a bad mood up there--lost fish, stupid things that happen--but nothing much sours the days anymore.

Good reminder in this post to appreciate it while we can.

pastorjsackett: "Lost my mom on February 5. The note of finality hit home.


I'm fortunate to have my health and my partner (son) is now 28 but has a nursing job and is able to get the days off to still go with me. He is not married yet. I know time is against me now.


We've slowed our pace a bit, but also lengthened the trips to more days and more lakes. That part is fun. We've gotten better at finding fish. Son went on his first solo last year. I got help him portage on the first day.


I try to just enjoy it knowing my time is not infinite, yet not be to maudlin or moody about it. I have loved every trip with him since our first in 2012. We started a tripping ministry and now take youth on trips every summer too.


I admit there times I used to get in a bad mood up there--lost fish, stupid things that happen--but nothing much sours the days anymore.


Good reminder in this post to appreciate it while we can."

NICE WRITE

I agree, sometime it is good to slow down and smell the roses. I love just watching nature unfold in front of me. Watching clouds move through the sky, sitting by a beuatiful lake, embracing the silence. I also enjoy watching the animals. These wilderness camping trips really calm me.

Okycamper, I wholeheartedly agree. There is something to be said for forest bathing, grounding yourself, slowing down to natures pace. Our lives are go, go, go. In the BWCAW sometimes I just want to relax.

My brother and I made a trip every year some times BWCA, sometimes the far north. Cancer took him a 12 years back and while I still go I miss our trips. I am now in my 70s and know my trip are limited but will cherish each one until then.

You start enjoying and appreciating all the living things around you and how they function and live. It is so amazing.

Celebrate each and every day--tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

I just wanna celebrate!

TZ

Sandman2009: "Okycamper, I wholeheartedly agree. There is something to be said for forest bathing, grounding yourself, slowing down to natures pace. Our lives are go, go, go. In the BWCAW sometimes I just want to relax."

thinking back to vacations with my parents. . . it was always hurry up to the next thing, see it and move on again. I promised myself I would not do that as an adult.

We go to the beach taking the family. . . we spend the time on the beach.

In the BWCA I don't want to be the guy pushing the group to do one more portage and reach one more lake. Last year we had one group leader go up for two weeks and to 8 lakes and all the portages. The three guys with him said it was like being back in the Army and begged to join my base camp this year.

I want to be the guy that pulls into the base camp and just tells the rest of the group what time meals are at. If they come back and show up, they eat. If they want to travel into other lakes to fish or explore. . . go for it. The rest of us will eat their pie!

Some of us will not know that our last trip IS our last trip.

egknuti: "Some of us will not know that our last trip IS our last trip.
"

I hope that’s the case for me. Too much pressure for the trip to be epic or “perfect.” I want my last trip to be just another trip where I roll with the punches, surrender to the flow of nature. If my last day fishing is a rainy day full of 12” hammer handles — or even worse, getting skunked — I want to be able to laugh about that and say “we’ll get em next time.” Even if there is no next time!

thegildedgopher: "

egknuti: "Some of us will not know that our last trip IS our last trip. "

I hope that’s the case for me. Too much pressure for the trip to be epic or “perfect.” I want my last trip to be just another trip where I roll with the punches, surrender to the flow of nature. If my last day fishing is a rainy day full of 12” hammer handles — or even worse, getting skunked — I want to be able to laugh about that and say “we’ll get 'em next time.” Even if there is no next time!"

Optimism is nice.

Pinetree: "

thegildedgopher: "

egknuti: "Some of us will not know that our last trip IS our last trip.
"

I hope that’s the case for me. Too much pressure for the trip to be epic or “perfect.” I want my last trip to be just another trip where I roll with the punches, surrender to the flow of nature. If my last day fishing is a rainy day full of 12” hammer handles — or even worse, getting skunked — I want to be able to laugh about that and say “we’ll get em next time.” Even if there is no next time!"

Optimism is nice"

We have come up to the Gunflint area for 16 years, and 3 years in the Ely area. The guys have said the most memorable trip was the year we came up to Seagull Lake and it snowed, sleeted, and freezing rain. We were land locked for the entire week. So we built a hot tent out of the fire grate and just ate and enjoyed nature and each other's company. They still talk about the magic of sitting in camp around the fire watching the snow fall.

That year was the most memorable although we didn't get anywhere and never left the base camp. It was that way because we were forced to slow down and enjoy the magic of a snowfall under the stars in the BWCA and just talk and eat with friends

egknuti: "Some of us will not know that our last trip IS our last trip.
"

It's kind of like what they say about parenthood; one day will be the last day you pick up and hold your child in your arms, but you won't know it at the time.

This is why I'm determined to get the physique of The Rock so I can always pick up my kid no matter how old they get.

Not necessarily aging related but two years ago I took 5 rookies in with me. One pair was young and able to do anything (they had just thru hiked the PCT). Another had medical issues that severely limited our travels.

We were able to secure a permit out of Sawbill the day after Labor Day. We were going to take the easiest routes possible, 6 nights 7 days and each site we camped 2 nights on. Initially, I was disappointed that it wouldn't be a big adventure for me or the able couple.

But what happened was (maybe because it was just after labor day) that even tho we never were more than two lakes away from the Sawbill takeout, we were almost always alone - I mean NO ONE was around. It was really uplifting and special and everyone in the group - myself no exception - was completely satisfied and happy with our "wilderness" trip.

I came out of it knowing that as I age and my opportunities will continue to be limited that I can still be immersed in what I find out there.

I spent years getting lighter and lighter gear... and now I am adding back in the heavier stuff and adjusting accordingly. I like not crawling in and out of a tent. I like sitting in a real chair with a back. I like having my favorite warm rectangular sleeping bag. Etc. Etc.

Who knows, maybe I'll go back to lightening up again some day, but I think every trip is just a series of compromises with yourself - trip length, location, partners (or none), gear, activities... and IT ALL WORKS OUT because the place is magic. And it's all worth it!

Some people know that it's going to be their last trip, others don't know that it will be their last. I'm not sure which I would prefer. My last trip was in 2019; at the time I had no idea that it would be my last. My first BWCA trip was in 1980, I paddled periodically until the early 90's. I took a long hiatus and didn't get back until 2015. I was sure that I would be making at least one trip each year until I was into my early70's but God had a different plan for me. I'm just thankful that my last trip was with my favorite paddling partner, my brother. Now I get to enjoy the BW through his eyes as he paddles with his son and granddaughter.

OneMatch: "Not necessarily aging related but two years ago I took 5 rookies in with me. One pair was young and able to do anything (they had just thru hiked the PCT). Another had medical issues that severely limited our travels.


We were able to secure a permit out of Sawbill the day after Labor Day. We were going to take the easiest routes possible, 6 nights 7 days and each site we camped 2 nights on. Initially, I was disappointed that it wouldn't be a big adventure for me or the able couple.


But what happened was (maybe because it was just after labor day) that even tho we never were more than two lakes away from the Sawbill takeout, we were almost always alone - I mean NO ONE was around. It was really uplifting and special and everyone in the group - myself no exception - was completely satisfied and happy with our "wilderness" trip.


I came out of it knowing that as I age and my opportunities will continue to be limited that I can still be immersed in what I find out there."

Thanks for sharing this. As I age, I am hoping that I can still find that magic without the grand circuit I used to be able to do. This post helped a lot.

I'll reach 70 this summer and whereas I felt pretty much the same at 60, my energy, strength, and balance have all dwindled in my late sixties. So, I'm grateful that I was able to buy 4.5 acres on a 170-acre pond, where I keep two canoes. There are loons, eagles, ospreys, beaver, otters, and deer and the pond is full of smallmouth and largemouth bass. It's five minutes from my house and I had a driveway built, but Maine law prevents a driveway any closer to 250' from the shoreline. Beyond that, you may have a path, but it has to meander, which my path does. Here's a pic of the pond:



So, I get to canoe about five times a week and even though I'm weaker, wobblier, and more tuckered, life is good.

P. S. - I do miss the Canadian Shield. Those rocky, clear lakes are Heaven on Earth.

missmolly: "I'll reach 70 this summer and whereas I felt pretty much the same at 60, my energy, strength, and balance have all dwindled in my late sixties. So, I'm grateful that I was able to buy 4.5 acres on a 170-acre pond, where I keep two canoes. There are loons, eagles, ospreys, beaver, otters, and deer and the pond is full of smallmouth and largemouth bass. It's five minutes from my house and I had a driveway built, but Maine law prevents a driveway any closer to 250' from the shoreline. Beyond that, you may have a path, but it has to meander, which my path does. Here's a pic of the pond:





So, I get to canoe about five times a week and even though I'm weaker, wobblier, and more tuckered, life is good.


P. S. - I do miss the Canadian Shield. Those rocky, clear lakes are Heaven on Earth. "

Sounds like quite a nice setup. Enjoy. 170 acres is a nice size.

We did a pretty tough trip last time at age 65 to get to an isolated couple of quieter lakes to base camp on, 3 nights on 1, & 2 nights on the other. For us, so far, it serves to give our workouts to stay in shape a sense of purpose so we can execute our planned route.

I enjoy seeing new areas and the thrill of route finding as we seek out the beginning of portages and working as a team to unload & load the canoe in an efficient manner & get back underway to stay on track. Each portage, campsite and lake travelled through is unique & part of the experience & the joy of getting back in the canoe & shoving off after a difficult portage is hard to beat.. Without the travel days, I'm not sure my husband or I would enjoy it as much. I still think back to what it took to get to Sarah lake couple of years ago with a sense of awe. So, I guess we might go for a simpler trip at some time until we can't go at all, but I will still miss the sense of adventure provided by longer trips & the route planning that went with it.

I had an operation, 13 years ago at the age of 50 that went very badly and left me quite limited. It turns out I had already had a bunch of "lasts" without even realizing it.

A number of individuals have posted on these forums that they stopped coming to the Boundary Waters when they could no longer Portage and go to multiple lakes. I would encourage everyone to avoid giving up too soon. Our groups have had incredible times base camping on three different lakes for the last 15 years. Many of the guys are now in their late 60s and even early 70s. We have no intention on giving up anytime soon. It is the beauty of the Boundary Waters that calls us. Not portages or miles

This last comment from ockycamper was helpful.

My daughter is a former Wilderness Canoe Base guide and just had her first child lat July. This summer they are going in to the BWCA with baby as he turns one year old--they are going to basecamp on an entry lake and just enjoy the beginning of all the memories.

Posts like that remind me I do not have to burn deep in the wilderness someday when I can't anymore. Good write.

I fully intend to still be going up to the Boundary Waters when I'm 80. Just need to bring some Sherpas

I have thought more about this since my initial post. I still stand by it but talking to my wife I realized I am not normal :)

I have wander lust…

If I am catching 5 pound walleyes one after another…I want to move to catch 10 pound walleyes :)

I always want to see what’s around the bend… There is always more to do, more to see…it never ends…I love it!

But…I fully know i pass by prime camping and fishing opportunities and take notes for the days when I might not be able to travel far and deep into the wilderness.

When I hit that time I’ve got a mental list of areas I want to hit close in…

Will I ever do this? Who knows, but I am preparing for it. Just didn’t realize it until my wife reminded me of the comments I make at the beginning and end of each trip.

T

timatkn: "I have thought more about this since my initial post. I still stand by it but talking to my wife I realized I am not normal :)


I have wander lust…


If I am catching 5 pound walleyes one after another…I want to move to catch 10 pound walleyes :)


I always want to see what’s around the bend… There is always more to do, more to see…it never ends…I love it!


But…I fully know i pass by prime camping and fishing opportunities and take notes for the days when I might not be able to travel far and deep into the wilderness.


When I hit that time I’ve got a mental list of areas I want to hit close in…


Will I ever do this? Who knows, but I am preparing for it. Just didn’t realize it until my wife reminded me of the comments I make at the beginning and end of each trip.


T"

Your like me what I was 20 years ago. I might paddle 5 miles and multiple portages to check out a new lake rout lake in Quetico. Well after all that effort even if fishing is good,I got to go try a new trout lake. It was the unknown for me kept me going.
Now slowing down but maybe try the north end of Quetico and more base camping and day exploring. Without your camping gear you can cover a lot of distance in a day and return.
But pushing myself hard is just not there anymore.

missmolly: "I'll reach 70 this summer and whereas I felt pretty much the same at 60, my energy, strength, and balance have all dwindled in my late sixties. So, I'm grateful that I was able to buy 4.5 acres on a 170-acre pond, where I keep two canoes. There are loons, eagles, ospreys, beaver, otters, and deer and the pond is full of smallmouth and largemouth bass. It's five minutes from my house and I had a driveway built, but Maine law prevents a driveway any closer to 250' from the shoreline. Beyond that, you may have a path, but it has to meander, which my path does. Here's a pic of the pond:





So, I get to canoe about five times a week and even though I'm weaker, wobblier, and more tuckered, life is good.


P. S. - I do miss the Canadian Shield. Those rocky, clear lakes are Heaven on Earth. "

WOW!! That's beautiful!!

missmolly: "I'll reach 70 this summer and whereas I felt pretty much the same at 60, my energy, strength, and balance have all dwindled in my late sixties. So, I'm grateful that I was able to buy 4.5 acres on a 170-acre pond, where I keep two canoes. There are loons, eagles, ospreys, beaver, otters, and deer and the pond is full of smallmouth and largemouth bass. It's five minutes from my house and I had a driveway built, but Maine law prevents a driveway any closer to 250' from the shoreline. Beyond that, you may have a path, but it has to meander, which my path does. Here's a pic of the pond:





So, I get to canoe about five times a week and even though I'm weaker, wobblier, and more tuckered, life is good.


P. S. - I do miss the Canadian Shield. Those rocky, clear lakes are Heaven on Earth. "

GREAT to hear from you again on this board Missmolly. Sounds like a great place you have there.