Where to start??? What began as a friendly conversation at a Christmas party about trips to the BWCA, became a plan for myself and another guy Heath to do the Loop from Loon to Shell out of Entry Point 14, Little Indian Souix. Then what began as a tandem, became a trio when my wifes boss said he would like to go. And then became two tandems as a friend of his wanted to come along as well. It was a unique group, myself who has made several trips and three new guys. All of from varied backgrounds, two in education, myself a high school assistant principal, Heath, a high school chemistry and physics teacher, Charlie, my wifes boss who is an Audiologist and his friend Dave who is a Psychologist. We were all bound by a love of the outdoors, fishing and canoeing. A group who had never been together, until we picked up Heath on the drive north to complete the foursome. As time for the trip grew nearer it became evident that all of us were in need of a trip of this nature, each for their own reason! As the only member of the group with experience going to the BWCA before, I was in charge of the preparation. I already had the Permit for Entry Point 14 Little Indian Souix, my first time there. I made the reservation to stay at Jeanette Lake Campground the night before entry so we could wake early and be on the water soon after daylight. All was ready by the first of June except for the packing and leaving. However, on June 4, at age 51 I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, and now instead of choosing the menu for the week, I was choosing my method of treatment. We had found it early so Brachytherapy was chosen as the least invasive means of treating the cancer. A date was chosen for the implantation of the radioactive seeds July 1, two days after I return from the BWCA& The trip was still on, but now the reason for going had changed somewhat. It was no longer just a desire to go. It became a desire to prove I could still do it, and a need to be in the wilderness to prepare myself for what was coming, the battle I was about to face, to still my soul and allow peace to enter in! (I want to insert here that while Prostate Cancer is a very treatable disease, and the success rate is over 90 % for most treatments, and the one I had chosen has close to a 95% success rate with early detection. I had just overcome a scare with Thyroid Cancer a year and a half before when I had part of my thyroid and a huge mass removed from my throat and chest. It was just the shock of hearing I did now have cancer after not having it a year and a half earlier) The battle mentioned before comes from the after effects of the radioactive seeds that I am having implanted, no closeness to (approximately a foot) to my wife or any family member or even the family dog for up to ten months! I have the support of my wonderful wife, my family and many friends and the prayers of many people so I have no doubt that I will get through this thing. Now, I could go on this trip and relax, and show three new guys the Wilderness area I love so dear!