I am back home from my first solo. I had a great time, learned a lot, and confirmed my reasons for wanting to go and then some. I went in at EP16 Moose River to Nina Moose Agnes - Oyster - Green - Rocky - Gebe - Pocket - Finger - Pocket - LLC - Agnes - Nina - and in. I did a short paddle to N. Hegman the day after I came out to see the pictos. I very much enjoyed the trip, I'll post a trip report in a few days.

I do have a question. I am finding that I am not "re-entering" civilization as smoothly as I usually do. It just feels odd to be back in town among people. Does anybody else ever have this feeling? I wonder if it is that because I was alone that I was more immersed in the experience?

after I soloed hunter island I didn't feel "right" for about a week. I kinda miss "not feeling right" now and then.

I figure it takes a couple days to adjust to being away from the rest of the world and a couple days to readjust to being back. The more intense the trip the longer adjustment takes coming back. Soloing is just more intense on its own.
Like Jan, after a few trips I think we begin to miss being out there just like we sometimes miss parts of our regular lives when we are out there.

Glad you had a good first experience. So how long have you been thinking about your next trip?

Glad to hear it went well. I'll look for the trip report

I think this: "confirmed my reasons for wanting to go and then some" says a lot about why you are experiencing "re-entry" turbulence.

I have that problem. Solos are more immersive. They're totally different - they lack the busyness and distractions. If that's something you need and enjoy . . .

Glad you had a good trip, after my 2 week trip I had a hard time with wanting to drive home, and it takes a while to back in to the routine, but I start planning and training soon after I get back for the next one and that helps. (alot!!!)

That was a good choice of a route. Congratulations on the solo. I take less time to get into the tripping and more time to readjust into the real world as time goes on.

Ben, which is real and which is tripping?

Seems pretty common that going to the BWCA/Quetico changes us and we resist somehow returning to "civilization".

Congrats on a successful trip. How's the canoe? Scratches?

When I got done with my solo, I took the long way home back to "civilization". Wasn't that interested in rejoining the real world. Really would like to do a solo again. Hopefully next year. If not solo, then at least get a trip in the BWCA.

BTW, I got a pic of you leaving the portage on the Nina Moose River.

After my first solo last fall I had a hard time "re-entering"

When I returned the canoe to VNO and they asked how the trip was and the only word I said was "great". Then went to Brittons to eat and it took me a long time to say "coffee" when she asked me what I wanted to drink. The only other words I said were my food order and thank you when I left. It hurt my brain trying to think of things to say.

After a 4 hr drive home and the radio off I got home about the time the kids got home from school and I couldn't keep up with their conversations. It was very overwhelming. It was really tough the next day when I was in a classroom of 25 third graders.

After my 2nd solo last month I had no problem talking and re-entering right away. I talked at Sawtooth for a long time when I returned the canoe before heading down the road. I was able to jump right back in. Now....... I don't know if that's because it was my 2nd solo and I was used to it or if it's because I saw a lot more people and talked to a lot more people during my 2nd solo. I only talked to/crossed paths on a portage w/ 1 couple and didn't see nearly as many people on my 1st solo. On my second solo I ran into a lot of people on portages and also talked to a lot when out on the water. The river stretches from Kawishiwi to Kawasachong were like a highway.

I know when I came out, and on the group trip I took this summer, I had to force myself to turn the phone on. Kind of a feeling of just wanting to stay disconnected for a few more days.