Finally joined the kids sub-forum. We're taking our little one on her first trip this Memorial Day. It's my first ever trip on a busy weekend such as Memorial/Labor Day so here is my question:

We are heading up likely on Saturday morning from the Cities for a short, introductory trip (Sat-Mon). What is the likelihood of finding camp sites on Sawbill or Alton on Saturday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend? Do those lakes get slammed?

We are typically the kind of folks that plow deep into the woods during the off-peak times of the BWCA seasons.

Memorial day, from my experience, has been hit and miss. I've passed full campsite after full campsite. Then other years I find myself wondering where the people are? I think it depends on the weather. A lot of fair weather, last minute campers out that early in the season. Just my guess.

I'll bet most people will go farther than that and you won't have a problem.

I have gone in that area on Memorial weekend, but started at Baker and went to N Temperance on that Saturday... so not an exact match. I agree it's hit or miss. Last year I camped one lake into BW (different EP) on Mem Saturday and was the only one on the lake (of 4 sites).

Good luck! Can't wait to see the pics of your little one's first trip!!

Welcome to the forum. Let us know how your little one's first trip goes!

Thanks, good to know.

I think that we just decided to drive up Friday night and stay in a hotel somewhere along Hwy61 before our entry...should make things easier.

quote 612er: "Thanks, good to know.


I think that we just decided to drive up Friday night and stay in a hotel somewhere along Hwy61 before our entry...should make things easier."

Be sure to have a reservation; that area is busy.

And bring your rain gear!!! It looks like it could be a wet weekend for us all!

I will second Luft's comments.

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than a bunch of wet, cold kids. Good rain gear and a tarp. I would make sure I took something fun to do in the tent. Canyon and I play uno for M&Ms under the tarp when it is raining or snowing.
Have fun!!

Well mine is 5 1/2 months old, so I'll have to keep her entertained no matter what! I'll definitely have my tarps up and games of cribbage going on.

Well Dad and daughter were willing and able to go, but Mom's bad knee and mom's friend's nasty cold conspired against our first BWCA trip of 2012. Oh well, planning the trips are half of the fun.

Bummer!!!

I remember one trip with 2 toddlers we had to stop in Duluth due to an ear infection for one of them. We found something else to occupy our time and still had a good "vacation".

Sorry to hear about the change in plans.

Well if it is any consolation... it was a bit on the cool and rainy side.

So, think of it as just holding off for a weekend with nicer weather.

Yup. We took her up to the cabin this past weekend so she got her first boat ride and walks in the woods. She was all smiles so I think that she'll like the canoe too. She seems to like water!

quote 612er: "Yup. We took her up to the cabin this past weekend so she got her first boat ride and walks in the woods. She was all smiles so I think that she'll like the canoe too. She seems to like water!"

Off to a good start!!! Pics?

Sorry - I haven't been online in a while. We did get our (then) 8 month old up to the BWCA on her first trip. It was the last week of August through Sawbill to Alton. Long story short, it was a pretty good trip. She still hates lifejackets but loved the woods and fishing. She let out one scream in the middle of the night during a diaper change. I'm sure that everyone heard it on the lake and other lakes near by.

We definitely need a bigger tent now and need to figure out better ways of getting her across the lake, but overall it was a great experience. We'll be taking her out there again next year!

have her wear her life jacket this winter a lot. That will fix the problem for the summer :) This worked for all 3 of our kids

quote 612er: "She let out one scream in the middle of the night during a diaper change. I'm sure that everyone heard it on the lake and other lakes near by."

I would rather hear a child laugh, scream, or cry than a dog bark, gun shots, or a group of drunks! :)

Magic

Congratulations on the first trip! Here's to many happy returns.

Putting the PFD on was an unavoidable struggle with Aurora as well. Now that she's walking, we've usually just left it on her until we get to camp. Even let her walk some of the easier trails.

OMG- she looks like the cutest little bumble bee in that rain suit and pfd!

I agree that leaving it on is key. Transitions are hard for kids.

I think canoearoo has a good suggestion in having your daughter wear her pfd this winter around the house to get used to it. Get her used to it before she get to an age where she can take it off herself. That way by the time she is a toddler and old enough to unhook herself, wearing it will hopefully be as natural as wearing a coat and less of a struggle to keep her in it.

Yup, I think that the biggest thing is that no matter how many lifejackets we bought or tried, you couldn't zip them more than 1/4 way without the upper part of the jacket pushing her head up. It always looked uncomfortable and she bucked when we zipped it. I'm really looking forward to her graduating out of the infant life jacket. She's exceptionally strong for her age and has been in swim lessons this fall. Last week we floated in the pool with the life jacket on. That went better. I think that we'll be fine by spring time.