Last June my daughter and I did a truncated version of the Hunters Island loop. Next summer, in June as soon as I am done teaching, I want to do the whole loop, and I want to take my time. Looking for anyone interested in doing all or part of this in solo canoes.

I'll express interest in joining you in my solo canoe for some part of this trip. I'd be along for all of it but I won't be able to get the entire time off. However, there are parts of that loop that I haven't done which I'd like to cover and this would be the perfect excuse. It's far enough in advance that the details can be sorted out as the planning progresses. Sounds like a great trip in any event. I'll monitor the posts here to see what other interest you get -- I'm sure there will be many!

Boy Mark, your one person I always thought it would be fun to trip with. I'll see if I can get this neck in shape by then. Should have my house under control I think. And Terry would be a bonus!

I know Ben's located up north but I'm not sure where Mark is however I've got a Buffalo Wild Wings located near my house in the Southdale Mall (SW Minneapolis). This might be a good wingnite opportunity --- perhaps after the holidays are over and when you folks might be in the area? Just a thought.

quote HighnDry: "I know Ben's located up north but I'm not sure where Mark is however I've got a Buffalo Wild Wings located near my house in the Southdale Mall (SW Minneapolis). This might be a good wingnite opportunity --- perhaps after the holidays are over and when you folks might be in the area? Just a thought."

Mark isn't real far from you Terry. The only real thing I have after the holidays is our steak feed third Saturday in January.

I live in Apple Valley, and I know the Southdale area real well as I grew up in Richfield. I am available almost any time if given ample notice. Are you folks available the weekend of January 7? Saturday would be ideal for me. Ben, that is a road trip for you; we could Skype if need be.

I think I have a meeting in the morning. But could head down after lunch! I have to get versed on this loop. I'm going to try and get the best possible whatever I need to kick this neck thing. I may have to wear my brace, but whatever it takes! The pain is still there, but way down! Going to more specialists next year.

Ben, pretty sure you will verse the loop! Hope all goes well with your neck. Stay in touch; one of these fine days you may just find my sorry ass at your door!

quote Frenchy19: " Stay in touch; one of these fine days you may just find my sorry ass at your door!"

You didn't buy another canoe without telling her? Haha! Oh boy it's cold up here...

quote nctry: "

quote Frenchy19: " Stay in touch; one of these fine days you may just find my sorry ass at your door!"

You didn't buy another canoe without telling her? Haha! Oh boy it's cold up here... "

Ha! Nope. Just looking for a reason to maybe head up over my winter break to visit and spend some time in a tent at your place. Let me know if you are going to be around from December 26-30. I would like to camp out for a couple nights, and I would rather be Up North than in a State Park around home.

quote nctry: "

quote HighnDry: "I know Ben's located up north but I'm not sure where Mark is however I've got a Buffalo Wild Wings located near my house in the Southdale Mall (SW Minneapolis). This might be a good wingnite opportunity --- perhaps after the holidays are over and when you folks might be in the area? Just a thought."

Mark isn't real far from you Terry. The only real thing I have after the holidays is our steak feed third Saturday in January."

Good to know Ben. Thanks! Maybe as Mark suggests, we can get together in January (weather permitting). Sunday AM will be a beast here in MPL and the almanac forecast for January to March is predicting a "cooler than normal and wetter" period. I'm starting to wonder if it will be another high-water year on both the Falls Chain and going up the Maligne as it was about 2 years ago (if I remember correctly)?

quote HighnDry: "

quote nctry: "

quote HighnDry: "I know Ben's located up north but I'm not sure where Mark is however I've got a Buffalo Wild Wings located near my house in the Southdale Mall (SW Minneapolis). This might be a good wingnite opportunity --- perhaps after the holidays are over and when you folks might be in the area? Just a thought."

Mark isn't real far from you Terry. The only real thing I have after the holidays is our steak feed third Saturday in January."

Good to know Ben. Thanks! Maybe as Mark suggests, we can get together in January (weather permitting). Sunday AM will be a beast here in MPL and the almanac forecast for January to March is predicting a "cooler than normal and wetter" period. I'm starting to wonder if it will be another high-water year on both the Falls Chain and going up the Maligne as it was about 2 years ago (if I remember correctly)?"

Last year the water levels up there were really pretty high!

Good point. I'm not deterred though. It will just require different planning. A lot will dpend on how things unfold between April-May. It could certaily make the portagez shorter!

Let me know if you two want to get together at all in the near future. At this point my plan is to enter in Canada as I am tired of PP. Want to check out Atikokan as I have never been there, and am thinking of a Beaverhouse entry. That said, am open to pretty much anything.

quote Frenchy19: "Let me know if you two want to get together at all in the near future. At this point my plan is to enter in Canada as I am tired of PP. Want to check out Atikokan as I have never been there, and am thinking of a Beaverhouse entry. That said, am open to pretty much anything. "

I think that's a good idea at some point here. I have basketball games stacking up this weekend on both days so getting together might not happen this weekend. However, we can look at other Saturday evenings coming up for a meet-up. The Atikokan hotel is a great option for Atikokan however I understand that there are some decent outfitter options near Beaverhouse which might work too. An entry from there would be great --- is the intention to over the Badwater portage to reach Sturgeon or to head down the Namakan?

quote HighnDry: "

quote Frenchy19: "Let me know if you two want to get together at all in the near future. At this point my plan is to enter in Canada as I am tired of PP. Want to check out Atikokan as I have never been there, and am thinking of a Beaverhouse entry. That said, am open to pretty much anything. "

I think that's a good idea at some point here. I have basketball games stacking up this weekend on both days so getting together might not happen this weekend. However, we can look at other Saturday evenings coming up for a meet-up. The Atikokan hotel is a great option for Atikokan however I understand that there are some decent outfitter options near Beaverhouse which might work too. An entry from there would be great --- is the intention to over the Badwater portage to reach Sturgeon or to head down the Namakan? "

My only intention at this point is to complete the trip without going belly up;-) I think it is time we start communicating via email and/or phone. My email address is mdallmann19@gmail.com and my cell is 612-965-9657. Give me a call/email/text at your convenience, and thanks for your continued interest in this!! Looking forward to meeting you and getting together some time soon!

Check your inbox. I sent a response.

If you guys are getting together Saturday morn I would be interested in looking at maps with you! I have not done a trip in the Q yet but am interested. Unless you have all ready corresponded and locked in your plan. Thanks, Pete. Nctry can vouch for me that I am no serial killer.

quote pswith5: "If you guys are getting together Saturday morn I would be interested in looking at maps with you! I have not done a trip in the Q yet but am interested. Unless you have all ready corresponded and locked in your plan. Thanks, Pete. Nctry can vouch for me that I am no serial killer."

Ha! But you do not know that I am not a killer...No set plans yet. Terry and I exchanged a couple emails yesterday, and the next step is to find a Saturday in hte next few weeks when we can get together. When that is established, I will let you know. In the meantime, feel free to email me at mdallmann19@gmail.com. Thanks!

Pete, I thought I heard you killed a box of fruit loops? Or was that Lucky Charms?

I'm very sick... came on fast today. Nose is running head stuffed... throat on fire...
The 21st is our steak feed, but I should be good next weekend. (14th)

quote nctry: "Pete, I thought I heard you killed a box of fruit loops? Or was that Lucky Charms?


I'm very sick... came on fast today. Nose is running head stuffed... throat on fire...
The 21st is our steak feed, but I should be good next weekend. (14th)
"

Get well soon Ben! Colds are no fun.

I've met Pete once--bought some gear off of him. I'm still here so I can vouch for him. The fruit loops ere asking for it if you ask me.

A Sat. AM meetup for coffee might be workable. Ben, weigh in on your travel availability when you feel better and let us know.

I am going to start a group email later this morning with all on this thread included. Seams like a more efficient way to chat. I can do the 14th, fwiw.

Kind of a funny story relating to Pete's being vouched for by Ben, A few years back, Ben was planning a Woodland trip, and I was hoping to join him. We had met briefly in a parking lot at a mall a year or so before when he purchased a cook kit I offered for sale on this site.

When we were said possible trip to Woodland, my wife asked me about the plans. I told her that the guy I was planning the trip with was a guy named Ben that I met on this site. She became quite alarmed and asked me, hyperbole aside, "You're going into a remote wilderness area with a guy you met online? How do you know he isn't going to eat you?"

Now, I have a couple other buddies named Ben, but whenever bwca Ben comes up in conversation, Deb (and my daughters too, for that matter) always refers to him as Cannibal Ben. Makes me chuckle given how Gentle Ben would be much more appropriate.

Well, sleep with one eye open if my food bag starts getting low. Haha!

quote nctry: "Well, sleep with one eye open if my food bag starts getting low. Haha! "

This will be the "trip of the Ottawans". There will definitely be enough material for a book deal when we are done. George Clooney will play Ben. I'll angle for Steven Seagall...

quote HighnDry: "

quote nctry: "Well, sleep with one eye open if my food bag starts getting low. Haha! "

This will be the "trip of the Ottawans". There will definitely be enough material for a book deal when we are done. George Clooney will play Ben. I'll angle for Steven Seagall..."

Jerry Lewis is still around; he can be me.

quote Frenchy19: "

quote HighnDry: "

quote nctry: "Well, sleep with one eye open if my food bag starts getting low. Haha! "

This will be the "trip of the Ottawans". There will definitely be enough material for a book deal when we are done. George Clooney will play Ben. I'll angle for Steven Seagall..."

Jerry Lewis is still around; he can be me."

That just leaves Anthony Hopkins for Pete.