I just got back from a trip and found myself having a lot of post-trip emotions. At times there’s laughter and many smiles as I think about the trip and the stories and memories that were created, then there are other times of deep sadness that it’ll be 6+ months before I get to go back. It’s like I leave part of myself there or it’s like leaving behind a close friend. In the first few days after I got back, I would get really sad. I feel that place does something to a person, in a playful way, I feel my life revolves around either paddling in the wilderness or planning the next trip :-)

I was curious if anyone else experiences this?

Yep, same here. I always remember the trips positively, even the ones that didn't go as hoped. But at the same time I start to miss the wilderness as soon as I begin driving home. It's like leaving a part of myself behind.

No clue where you live but chances are there are other canoe camping opportunities close by. I’m into the WI DNR boat in sites, have 3 more trips planned this year. Pretty much done with BW, loved it but not as cool as it used to be for me. Much easier better fishing more fun. Check it out. Of course you need your own gear, which I have. I do these trips for around $200, reservation fee, gas, food & bait. And half the drive time. It is also handy to know you have a site reserved, not stressing about what is open in a canoe on a big lake. Go on another trip, do something new, expand your horizons….

Cheers, scat

Nature is a wonderful mother and when we get to spend some time with her it seems natural to miss her love, even when she is in a bad mood!

This year my headspace for the first couple of days was focused on work, then it shifted to the trip. Coming out was hard because I was still in the trip mindset, recounting highlights from the trip and thinking of future canoeing, resisting re-entry to civilization.

Our first stop after leaving the outfitters was Betty’s Pies. Being around so many people after limited contact with people outside our trip group in BWCA was jarring.

I would think that BWCA would be difficult to impossible to replace in Minnesota as far as wilderness experience goes. Kettle River, St. Croix River, Upper Mississippi River look interesting enough but I'm sure they do not provide anywhere near the wilderness experience of BWCA. That said being young and in good health means a lot as you have a lot more time on your side to plan and to do.

It's going to be a long year. Didn't get to go. :(

scat: "No clue where you live but chances are there are other canoe camping opportunities close by. I’m into the WI DNR boat in sites, have 3 more trips planned this year. Pretty much done with BW, loved it but not as cool as it used to be for me. Much easier better fishing more fun. Check it out. Of course you need your own gear, which I have. I do these trips for around $200, reservation fee, gas, food & bait. And half the drive time. It is also handy to know you have a site reserved, not stressing about what is open in a canoe on a big lake. Go on another trip, do something new, expand your horizons….

Cheers, scat"

Is there a website that shows these places?

Well since you asked, Easiest way is to google Willow Flowage. It will take you to a Wi DNR page that says Reserve. Click on that select boat in sites, tents as equipment, dates and it will give you a selection of lakes that have boat in camping. Then you can check out the campsites available. My faves are Willow Flowage, Turtle Flambeau, Caldron Falls Flowage part of Governor Earl, been to High Lake in the Northern Highlands region, and planning on hitting the mighty Chippewa Flowage next year. I’m watching YouTube videos about it now haha. Looks awesome. I am also going to check out the sites on the Peshtigo River, I have soft spot for this area.

I’ll add this. It used to be free and first come first serve. Now it is $18-20 a night, and your spot is reserved. I like this much better, and I know my fav spots now no stress finding a spot in a canoe on a big lake. These lakes are absolutely beautiful, totally wild shorelines and the campsites are awesome. My site on Willow is in a stand of 200’ red pines some with trunks 2 1/2’ wide. Super easy sandy beach landings. There are motorboats, was a fair amount of traffic in July by my site. fisherman mostly. Prob be pretty quiet in Sept. and in the more back bay sites by the river inlet.

Not so much from coming back, but my wife knows when I need to do a real trip. A getaway on my terms. And whether by canoe or hiking boots, she has always understood that I have outdoor "stuff" we do and then there's "trips".
And she has always been understanding of those times I need to seek out the really good, really remote, or harder stuff that we both do.

My problem has never been coming back, its been getting out as much as I feel I need to.
I'm glad I ended up with someone who understands that........and keeps my life insurance paid up for some strange reason.....

scat: "Well since you asked, Easiest way is to google Willow Flowage. It will take you to a Wi DNR page that says Reserve. Click on that select boat in sites, tents as equipment, dates and it will give you a selection of lakes that have boat in camping. Then you can check out the campsites available. My faves are Willow Flowage, Turtle Flambeau, Caldron Falls Flowage part of Governor Earl, been to High Lake in the Northern Highlands region, and planning on hitting the mighty Chippewa Flowage next year. I’m watching YouTube videos about it now haha. Looks awesome. I am also going to check out the sites on the Peshtigo River, I have soft spot for this area.

I’ll add this. It used to be free and first come first serve. Now it is $18-20 a night, and your spot is reserved. I like this much better, and I know my fav spots now no stress finding a spot in a canoe on a big lake. These lakes are absolutely beautiful, totally wild shorelines and the campsites are awesome. My site on Willow is in a stand of 200’ red pines some with trunks 2 1/2’ wide. Super easy sandy beach landings. There are motorboats, was a fair amount of traffic in July by my site. fisherman mostly. Prob be pretty quiet in Sept. and in the more back bay sites by the river inlet. "

Thanks.
Caldron Falls is in my family's neighborhood. Caught my first and only muskie on Caldron Falls.

I hooked a musky right on the point of the Crane Bay site walking the dog with a Zara Spook. It was a beauty, red belly not huge prob 36" or so, jumped, broke my line right next to the canoe and took the spook with it. Dang. That is why I want to go back, I want a musky! I've hooked and lost four at the side of the boat, each time leaving slack in the line reaching for the net, not again! Got the Crane Bay site booked again for the 26th. Caldron isn't as wild as the other areas but it is fun. Awesome campsite, kind of secluded in a bay. I make a point to hit Renes supper club one of the evenings. Gotta have that tenderloin. What's cool about this site is it's a short paddle to the put in so a run into town is easy. Not hard core roughing it but I'm kinda done with that haha.

My family rented a cabin at Pine Acres resort on High Falls for many years, first as a family growing up then after getting married we always had the nicest cabin 18 years straight. That place has gone downhill sadly. Haven't been in that area in a while, be interesting to see what's changed.

Go for it!

"Wilderness is not my leisure or my recreation, It is my sanity!" - Terry Tempest Williams - The Hour of Land.

jsmithxc: ""Wilderness is not my leisure or my recreation, It is my sanity!" - Terry Tempest Williams - The Hour of Land."

Absolutely love that quote!

Facing that this week. I had planned a trip to stuart for 3 years. I was concerned whether I'd even get to go out. I nabbed a permit for sawbill, and just got back Friday. This weekend was okay as long as I kept my mind busy, but knowing I will have to wait another 2 years to go again is killing me. I'm already delving back into my planning for stuart lake, even though I'm pretty sure I've read every possible forum post on it. But after what happened this year, I have come up with the idea to try and plan a 7 day route from every ep. Just in case it happens again. That should keep me busy.

I've started dropping an annual October trip into my paddling seasons and I have that feeling during this time of the year more than any other.

The leaves have fallen, the ice is coming, the loons and most fellow paddlers have gone. While the fall has its own beauty it's hard to not have this feeling as winter closes in. I know I will likely be back sometime in May, but not knowing for sure is a strange feeling.

I suppose one way to stave off the issue is to start taking hard water trips.

CanoeViking: "I feel my life revolves around either paddling in the wilderness or planning the next trip :-)

I was curious if anyone else experiences this?
"

I used to feel exactly like this back when I was only doing one trip a year. I got really tired of this feeling, so I decided to change things around. I now own several canoes and do 2 bwca trips a year (typically 1 solo). I also mix in several local 2-3 day canoe camping trips and loads of day trips on all bodies of water within a few hours of my house.

It helps to have an accommodating wife that understands my battery recharges when I'm out in nature fishing and camping.