Notes about things to remember to do differently, or to take, or to leave home, or to fix, or to adjust:

Firewood tarp – Even if firewood is wet to start with it will dry out if put under cover for a few hours. We didn't have a fire one night because of wet wood. Another night we had one because we got some wood under a tarp for a few hours.

Lighter & Fire starter – I kept my BIC lighter in with my wax fire starters. The BIC didn’t CLICK. I think it got waxed. Store the lighter in a separate plastic bag to protect against wax contamination.

Rain Pants – Mine did a good job of keeping me warm but not dry. I think it was because the crotch was ripped out from bow to stern. I need to buy a new pair – ones with zippers or snaps so I can put them on while wearing boots.

Pants – I had two pair of summer, nylon, zip-off pants. One was a good idea, but for October my second pair needs to be something warmer. I was OK because of my long johns and rain pants.

Warmer Hat – I took two blaze orange hats. I should have taken a blaze orange hat for portaging and a warmer fleece hat for camp.

Dry Gloves – I had two pair of gloves. Both were soaked all the time. They helped with heat, but were not fun to wear. I expected my paddling gloves to be wet, but my camp gloves were wet too just by virtue of everything I handled was wet. I need at least one pair of waterproof gloves.

Camp Shoes – I brought a pair of crocks as camp shoes, but at the last minute I made a wise decision and tossed them into my take-out bag in the car and substituted my take-out shoes -- LL Bean moccasins (Bean boots without the tops.). They worked pretty well. My feet would have been soaked in crocks.

Canoe Shoes – This is not related to this trip but since I’m thinking of it I want to get it down on paper. I need new canoe shoes for warm weather. This past summer my LL Bean Canoe Shoes finally died. I like them but they are no longer made. Research and purchase is needed.

Flashlights – One of my flashlights broke when I dropped it. My other flashlight (a single AAA battery light, i.e. tiny) was poorly designed. It went through a couple batteries because the switch was being pushed on in the pack and/or pocket. It is time for me to get a good flashlight/headlight. Might as well go for LED lights, maybe both a headlight and a small flashlight.

Extra Days Food – Bring an extra day's food. In the past I would bring some minute rice and dry vegetable soup mix. I could add fish chunks to it or salami, or cheese, or make dumplings, etc. But I never used it, so this time I didn't bring it. Of course, this is the time we could have used it.

Fastpacking – Resist the urge to "Fastpack" (you use just your tent's footprint and fly - no tent body - to reduce weight and bulk). I was lucky. I planned to fastpack and at the last minute decided to take the tent body along. I would have been miserable without it.

Duct Tape – My duct tape didn't work. It was good stuff but old. I don't know if that was the problem or if it was because everything was wet and cold. I'm guessing the cold reduces its stickiness. At any rate, replace my duct tape for next season. Get some good stuff.

Canoe – Sawyer Autumn Mist. It is made of "Goldenglass", a fiberglass/Kevlar mix. It is 14’ 10" long, about 28" wide, and 12" deep. This isn’t really new. I used it on a BWCA trip in July as well. I’m happy with it. However, I am getting a reputation of getting a new solo every season. I wonder what I will be paddling next October?

Canoe Seat – My canoe seat broke on the way out. I was able to field repair it to get me out. It does need to be repaired, however.