New Trip Report posted by Boppa

Trip Name: A trip is changed, then cancelled, and a new focus is created.

Entry Point: 50

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in my prayers my friend. thanks for sharing.

Despite the uncertainty and discomforts involved in treatments, both of you clearly benefited from being adaptable. I think it's safe to say everyone who reads your report will be pulling for you and Cherokee Lake next year. I sure will.
Thanks for sharing.

Great report!! I'm so glad you were able to make the trip this year and explore one of our favorite places in Minnesota. My wife and I stay at Little Marais twice each year and one day this fall made the trip all they way to the end of the Gunflint.

Your family will be in my thoughts and my prayers will be for a full recovery and the opportunity to make that trip to Cherokee next year.

Jay

This was a beautiful and moving story...thanks for sharing. Best wishes for a successful trip to Cherokee Lake in 2011!

Boppa, My heart is racing as I wipe tears away from my eyes. I haven't met you but think of you as a friend as you have been so instrumental in helping me plan our last two trips. Especially this years trip to Banadad. I've been waiting for your TR with anticipation and this was not what I was expecting at all. You again did an amazing job of writing a TR. This was the second year in a row you were driving north up 61 the same day we were heading south down 61. Mike and Lin treated us well again this year also. They are great people.

I'm so glad you were still able to find a way to enjoy the BWCA. My father in law has been battling cancer for 5 years and is in the middle of round 3 of radiation treatment and will start his 2nd round of chemo after the New Year. He doesn't have enough strength for a BW trip (he's gone from weighing 240lbs to 125lbs). I take him to a campground on the edge of the BWCA each year and it is so therapeutic for him.

I've added your wife to my prayer list and wish you the best. I look forward to reading about your trip to Cherokee in 2011.

Your wife, yourself and your family are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your story. Have a wonderful trip to Cherokee (a coincidence? - not a chance). And plan your trip for a full moon :)

It's great that you were able to make it to the Gunflint this year. I hope 2011 gets things back to normal for you and your (growing) family.

Boppa,
Thank you for sharing your lives with us. It was very moving to read your trip report. almost as though we were there.
I have been to Cherokee for a brief time, (one night) went through Sawbill to Cherokee and Louped back around through N & S Temperance,
Jack, Kelly, Burnt, Smoke and back to Sawbill. It is a beautiful lake.
I am glad you shared your story with your BWCA family, as the more prayers the better. My heart goes out to you all, as I know the stress and anquish that illness brings to the whole family. The Lord Bless you both.
SunCatcher

Thanks Boppa, That was moving. You both will love Cherokee Lake next year. I wish you and Bette the best.

Got to enjoy Cherokee Lake in September with a couple people I'd never met before. It was a beautiful trip... We entered from Brule and if I recall correctly one portage in particular sort of kicked my butt. The portages the other way were not so bad. A couple weeks later in the Philippines I was diagnosed with Pneumonia... not sure if it was ongoing and caused my troubles. I recall Cherokee as a beautiful lake and some great campsites. You can look forward to your trip with excitement a great trip ahead with many prayers offered for your wife and you both. Like others here we will be looking forward to another great trip report.

Great trip report, Boppa! You WILL make that trip to Cherokee!!! I, too, am dealing with cancer issues at the moment, but the BW is one thing which keeps me going! I "snuck out" this past September when I was in remission, and just hung out on Seagull .. no portages, just me and my canoe :) I agree, it is refreshing just to be up there. A rejuvenating, re-charging effect is what happened with me. I am currently going through "round two" (it came back), so I also understand the frustrations when trying to plan a trip that you are unsure you are going to be able to make. The Lord will provide, I'll keep you all in my prayers!

If the timing is right, maybe we'll 'bump into each other' while out on a portage :)

Thanks for sharing your trip. Is very heart warming. Best wishes to you and God Bless..

Thanks to all of you who have responded so positively to the Trip Report. The support shown by all of you - kanoes, Koda, Big Tent, alpine 525, ducks, snakecharmer, TomT, SunCatcher, Savage Voyageur, nctry, Amok and Dennisal is both heart warming and helpful, thank you.

We accept with open arms the prayers that have been offered. One member mentioned in their E-mail that while they would pray on Bette's behalf they weren't sure that the prayer would be helpful. Nonsense, all prayers are welcome, secondly, I feel those who pray only occasionally might get more attention due to the prayers rarity :).

We have had a very recent set back in that the cancer has re-emerged. We remain focused and hopeful that the new treatments will be successful in creating containment.

Amok, be certain that you have been included in our prayer list and "yes" it would be wonderful if the timing was one day right on some portage.

ducks, I hope we can cross paths in the BWCAW some time as well. Who knows, maybe a future wing night. Your father in law is also on our prayer list, keep up your good work.
Boppa

I just noticed your tag, Boppa. My wife has had that quote on a small whiteboard in our bedroom since March :)

I haven't come into Trip Reports lately, Boppa, and just discovered your report. Sorry to hear of Bette's setback, and I will also add her to my prayer list.

Cherokee Lake is my favorite spot in the world. We tried to get there this past year, but we also had some setbacks during our canoe trip and I don't know if I will be able to portage there again. But I will hope and pray that you make it there in 2011, or sometime in the near future.

In the meantime, many good wishes for your winter and spring, and for Bette's return to strength and good health. Thank you for sharing your experiences along the Gunflint--such a special place!

Thanks for sharing your story. I've dealt with a setback (surgery, Dr's, complications) that, honestly, a focus on my next BW trip helped immensely to overcome. I wish you the best as you enjoy Cherokee Lake! My first time there was this summer and it was gorgeous. Let me share:




The landscape is an evening paddle around the lake. Mr. Moose we discovered while heading west on Cherokee Creek as left the lake.

Amok,
I had another tag on this site for years. I changed it this past summer after seeing it on a bulletin board at Bette's treatment center, it just rang so true.

Spartan2,
Hi, first thanks for adding Bette to your prayer list, much appreciated along with your positive thoughts. Like you have mentioned, obstacles may change plans but they should never stop them. I trust we all are able to make it to Cherokee Lake, I will be certainly rooting for all of us.

bapabear,
Thanks for your thoughts and the two awesome pictures from Cherokee Lake. The first one you are obviously ready for a great picture opportunity, the second picture, your obvious photogenic eye is to be admired.
Thanks all,
Boppa

These were taken on Cherokee Creek coming into Cherokee from the South 1009.
SunCatcher

Rick,

My thoughts are with you and Bette in this challenging time. As you can see the entire community is behind you and if there is anything the power of this site can provide be sure to reach out to your friends.

Rob

SunCatcher,
Thanks for the great pictures, it makes one look so forward to a trip.

bojibob,
The kind thoughts and wishes are much appreciated. One of the neat aspects of this site is how it has shown me that a common interest shared with others I have yet to meet can reach out with hope and encouragement.
Thanks,
boppa

A very inspiring trip report. I am very happy that you and your wife were able to enjoy the boundary waters in your own way despite the hardships you two are facing. I wish you both the best and will be looking forward to your trip report from cherokee lake. Cherokee is a beautiful lake that I have enjoyed on two seperate occasions; it was actually our destination on my first trip to the boundary waters. Keep positive and focused and you will both get to enjoy dipping your paddle into cherokee's crystal waters.

that was the best trip report i ever read---------

Thanks for the great trip report Boppa. I am sure this trip will provide you and Bette with great memories comparable to those from your "conventional" trips.

Bette and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

BearBrown,
Thanks for your kind thoughts and words. Your description of Cherokee Lakes beauty is echoed by everyone who has been there. We look forward to seeing it for ourselves.

wetcanoedog,
Wow, thanks. That is special coming from you.

AndySG,
It did in many ways. Thank you for the prayers, they are appreciated.

Boppa