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PortageKeeper
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Like Howie, I used to post on canoecountry.com (since 1999, I believe) It was a GREAT site. A board with lots of experienced paddlers, sharing tons of good information. Because of a lack of moderation, it went WAY, WAY down hill, almost to the point of extinction. It was always a chore to re-subscribe to network 54 so I quit it altogether. Actually, Howie is still the main poster there at a rate of about 1 post per day ;-) He tries to keep it alive.
Don't recall how long I have been here, but it seemed like the next best place after canoecountry.com I'm happy to be here and very happy that there is good moderation and a good board owner!
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Savage Voyageur
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I stumbled on this site years ago and then was only on the site for a few times just looking. Then I was researching a lake and this place came up.
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Mocha
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Lots of new people this past year, maybe some will chime in!
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Grandma L
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Chatting with a guy on a portage - he mentioned this site. Can't remember who.
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Dammfast
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I still remember, i was researching trout lakes. i was super excited to find a whole community. This is one of the pages i visit daily.
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overthehill
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Google searching BWCA in 2007. One of my first times on a computer. Point and shoot. Still type with one or two fingers. :)
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hobbydog
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Back in 2010 I was doing some research for work when I found the site.
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nojobro
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I just typed bwca.com into the address bar and up it came. It was just a guess.
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QueticoMike
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I think I heard about it while I was on canoecountry.com
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WonderMonkey
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Google.com. I was searching for BWCA forums and this was listed first.
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GraniteCliffs
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Like everything else canoeing, It must be that I read about it on BWCA.com
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SaganagaJoe
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Happened onto this site while researching for my first BWCA trip, a couple years later I decided to post my extensive trip report, appreciated the feedback, and got involved. Lots of substantive advice here for all things canoe country and outdoors and some really nice folks.
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AdamXChicago
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Hey, I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but I'm gonna guess it was a Google search for Quetico
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Canoearoo
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I was on the CCBB and Jackfish invited me to join him and some of the others on bwca.com . It was a long time ago before I had any kids..July 2003
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riverrunner
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I was researching problem bears and found a link to this site.
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LuvMyBell
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Internet search of BWCA.
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mirth
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Also probably Google. I joined in 2007/2008 while planning for a trip in 2008. After that trip I disappeared for a couple years before returning to research a trip in 2011. The site has been part of my routine of websites I visit ever since.
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bapabear
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After my first trip to BW I was researching, buying books, exploring websites and this one was the one I kept returning to. I was learning so much and enjoying this site to the point I signed on. I thought I would be able to contribute to the site more than I have as I was tripping and getting experience, but the truth is I came here to mostly learn and get to know the people and their opinions. When I first joined I remember lots of joking and having fun with stuff like "portage monkeys" and portagers wearing kilts and other teasing. Do we do less of that now or does it just seem like it to me? It really crushed me when we lost kanoes. I know of other great former members that have passed on but somehow I caught the flying moose fever from Jan. I never met the man but was affected by the way he contributed, ticked off, helped, and loved his fellow bwca.com members. I have met Suncatcher, nctry, and a few others at Canoecopias over the years so I know there are many fine folks to carry on this wonderful site.
Some physical issues have cropped up that are slowing me down some but overall life is going well enough for me to continue on pretty well with just about everything except real heavy duty stuff like my BW canoe camping trips the last two years. Goal is to get back for a trip next spring. I keep checking in here to fill the void and continue to learn and keep up with some really fine people.
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Jackfish
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quote Canoearoo: "I was on the CCBB and Jackfish invited me to join him and some of the others on bwca.com . It was a long time ago before I had any kids..July 2003"
I don't know how you remember that stuff, but now that you mention it, I do sort of recall inviting you and a bunch of CCBB friends over here. Lots of changes in 13 years, huh? :)
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Canoearoo
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quote Jackfish: "quote Canoearoo: "I was on the CCBB and Jackfish invited me to join him and some of the others on bwca.com . It was a long time ago before I had any kids..July 2003"
I don't know how you remember that stuff, but now that you mention it, I do sort of recall inviting you and a bunch of CCBB friends over here. Lots of changes in 13 years, huh? :)"
it was in lunch room chat.... right after the "real Jackfish" chatroom shenanigans
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Basspro69
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I heard about it from a member named Greg aka Gbusk and am very greatful for having found this wonderful site.
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Frenchy19
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I do not remember. No surprise there, but I am glad I found it!
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drrick
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Looking for an alternative outfitter to BSA Northern Tier. Was not impressed with my first contact with the staff at NT and decided to look around on the internet for general information about BWCA. The forum really helped and our Troop eventually decided to use a private outfitter with complete satisfaction. (North Country Canoe Outfitters)
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crumpman
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Stumbled on it looking for information on Puddicomb paddles.
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scat
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Googled BWCA and saw there was a forum. Great site with a lot of great people and info. Glad I found it for sure.
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hobbydog
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quote nctry: "quote hobbydog: "Back in 2010 I was doing some research for work when I found the site. "
Boy, I want your job. lol.
"
Some wingnight you will have to ask me what the research was about. :-)
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ParkerMag
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Ahead of a first return trip to the area since '76 or so, I was poking around the interwebs trying to get my arms around some gear concerns and stumbled on it. Continues to be a valuable source of information for us.
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Ausable
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I found the site while searching for information about Quetico.
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andym
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Probably google. I was looking for a distraction from another forum that is on a more serious health topic. Now I distract myself with both forums.
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Pinetree
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2008 when I started looking for a different site after a few trolls and very negative people by their comments in my opinion destroyed another BWCA blog-comment site. Numerous members quit that site including myself.
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HowardSprague
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^ that was unfortunate indeed..."Loudhandle" and "Spudnuts" would be proud that they were able to bully so many people away.
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yellowcanoe
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I'm old. I am allowed to fergit, right?
I think I got frustrated trying to log in to QJ
Long ago I forgot my password and there was something about money required. I can lurk there today. I still dont know who I am there
so it must have been googlerescue
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OldFingers57
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I think I saw someone with a BWCA.com t shirt on or heard about it up at Canoecopia. Came home and checked it out and been here since.
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DeanL
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Not exactly sure of the first time. I do remember about 5-6 years ago every time I searched anything BWCA the first result would be a list of links to posts on BWCA.COM. I was reluctant to join as I can't stand social media but after a year I couldn't take not being able to help others the same way others had helped me.
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Eyedocron
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This BWCA.com has been available for years. I first encountered it only 4 years ago through a Google search for lake trout fishing in Quetico Lake. Now one of my favorites,, and have even had crew members join us through the site from as far away as Israel. How did other first encounter and discover this great site?
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mr.barley
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One of my tripping partners (snakecharmer) introduced my brother and me to this site a little over 10 years ago. So, it's his fault I've wasted countless hours on my computer in last decade.
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timatkn
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According to my profile it was 2004 when I joined officially but I was participating for a year or two before that. I think I was initially a member of canoecountry.com, joined there when I as researching my very first BWCAW trip in the late 90's. One day in the early 2000's I happened upon this site by accident. To tell the truth it was pretty dead, really not much valuable info but while the others I belonged to (canoe country and Quiet journey) sort of died down over time this one has steadily grown and increased significantly in the info posted/shared.
The other 2 websites were so far ahead of this one, but in my opinion they policed themselves to death. Over the years there became cliques of original members that were unintentionally unwelcoming to new members. There was no tolerance to asking the same questions, such as if someone asked "what do you do for an anchor." Inevitably old time members would post do a search we just talked about this 3 days ago...not very welcoming and these posts have no concept of the web... That at any given moment thousands of different people are looking and even similar questions will generate different answers or discussions so they all have value.
Also more controversial members were often kicked off or what I would call close to harassed off. Take Kanoes...I didn't always see eye to eye, maybe rolled my eyes a few times but I mostly enjoyed the banter---he was run off of Quiet Journey by the clique. There was no tolerance to other opinions.
That's my opinion of why most of the other sites have basically died off while this one grows exponentially and why it really is the only one I use anymore.
T
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jhb8426
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Was looking for portage pads a few years back. Found a nice set in the for sale forum. Contacted the guy, agreed on a price and exchanged via mail. No hassles, both able to trust each other having never met etc. Decided this place had some good people and became a member.
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schweady
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I want to say Google, but then, it's been more than 10 years since.
WebCrawler? AltaVista? MetaCrawler? Dogpile?...
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LindenTree3
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Can't remember, it was not quite 2 years ago. I just stumbled unto it somehow.
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HowardSprague
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Someone posted a reference to bwca.com on canoecountry.com . I believe it was about 2003-2004, because on our 2005 trip we ran into someone from "the canoe board" as we were entering Adams Lake and they were going into Boulder. We each knew about some dude named "bogwalker", but not each other. That's because I (and OneMatch/jstroke) were mostly on CCBB and the other guy ("ND Canoe"?) was on this board.
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hooky
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Google in 2014 when I was looking into a spring 2015 trip and wanted to find out about ice out dates and fishing regs in the BWCA.
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Spartan2
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I heard about it from Spartan1, my husband, who was a member before me. He lurks on these sites but rarely posts. I am not cut out to function in that manner, so I got more openly involved. We were both members of Quiet Journey first, and still are. We made some of our best canoe country friends there. I will refrain from arguing about the disparaging remarks above concerning QJ, some of which I think are quite correct and some of which are inaccurate, and keep my post positive only.
I have been a member here for more than ten years and, like mr. barley, I have also wasted countless hours here. I have learned here, made friends here, and sometimes ruffled feathers here. It probably is for others to decide if I have contributed anything of value.
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yogi59weedr
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I was talking to Al Gore one time about how he founded the internet.
He said I should check out this website bwca.com he just started up..
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blutofish1
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Hell, I don't remember. I do remember andysg as being the first person I talk to. Then bobbwca was next. Ain't it great the people you meet and share info with. Best site ever.
Love ya all. Sorry bout the Indy slang.
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blutofish1
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Luv ya yogi...
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mjmkjun
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Probably Google. I do recall, for sure, I was searching for somewhere I could go canoeing far away from the masses.
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PuffinGin
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A case of mistaken identify, sort of, and got here in pretty much same way as many others who've posted. I'd been on another forum for quite a while and wanting some information about something in Quetico, I decided to Google it to get me to anything quicker than just going through all the threads. When I got here, I at first thought the other forum had been rearranged into nice discrete categories of posts. Took me a short time to realize it was different. I seldom go to other message board anymore. BWCA.com is the best!
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4keys
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Found it when I was researching lakes for a trip several years ago. Lurked for a while, did not post as I felt others had more experience, and I'm not very outgoing. Love the friendliness, the info, the variety of topics, and people's willingness to share what does and does not work for them.
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ozarkpaddler
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Been a "Member" under this name since 2007. I actually started out for a few years under a different profile, probably about 2003-2004? Changed name since I lost my password and since most of my paddling is in the Ozarks.
But, to the original question. I did an internet search to find this site. I had been on two other BWCAW sites, but couldn't seem to break into the "Cliques?" Thought maybe a different site may be better? Third time was the "Charm," I guess?
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Canoe42
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Researching for a trip after a long hiatus. We had only been to Quetico and knew very little about the Boundary Waters. Searched on Google for info and this web site came up. I was #1236 to join the website.
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dicecupmaker
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I was looking for some used gear on-line and found the site. Have spent a lot of night shifts on-line and having a 'hoot!' Back in early 2009. The girls are on their cell phones and I am on BWCA.com! Thanx! Adam!
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Jonesy
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Member since 2008, but lurked around since summer 2006. Probably came across this site through google looking for info on my first trip that summer. As others have stated, several hours/days/weeks/months of my existence have been spent on this wonderful resource. Need to make a donation.
Jonesy
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VaderStrom
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quote WonderMonkey: "Google.com. I was searching for BWCA forums and this was listed first."
+1 - the forms always come up first for me in my searches still...guess i shouldn't doubt the depth and wealth of knowledge that's been shared here!
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jamotrade
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Got to this site while doing some research for a trip in 2004. I have found this forum to be the best of all of them. People are unusually friendly and helpful. Kind of suspicious actually... LOL!!
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mirth
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quote mirth: "Also probably Google. I joined in 2007/2008 while planning for a trip in 2008. After that trip I disappeared for a couple years before returning to research a trip in 2011. The site has been part of my routine of websites I visit ever since."
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GeoFisher
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Like others, I came here from other boards. I'm a member of most of them, but to be honest, it is too hard to keep up on all other boards, so I just try to use this one.
There are other planning sites that are better, but this site has FANTASTIC information and pretty good folks....
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GeoFisher
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quote Jackfish: "quote Canoearoo: "I was on the CCBB and Jackfish invited me to join him and some of the others on bwca.com . It was a long time ago before I had any kids..July 2003"
I don't know how you remember that stuff, but now that you mention it, I do sort of recall inviting you and a bunch of CCBB friends over here. Lots of changes in 13 years, huh? :)"
I prob moved over from your invite........
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duckcall
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Like most people here, I was researching my first trip and stumbled on the site. I am kind of a research nerd, so this site keeps me occupied! I love BDB's, jello mold ovens and basketball net anchors.
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TomT
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It's my 10th year and I'm pretty sure I was researching a route when it came up. One of my first posts was a picture submitted for the monthly contest. I didn't realize there are different themes each month and my generic off theme pic was greeted with a slap on the wrist by a character named Kanoes. Thus our rocky relationship began.
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BasecampMom
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A google search of the BWCA, and this site comes up first every time.
Lurked a while, and then jumped in w/two feet on the posting.
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Kendra
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Found it by accident trying to search for an outfitter we used MANY years ago!
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BearBurrito
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Google search for BWCA. I'm very glad I clicked the link.
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nctry
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quote hobbydog: "Back in 2010 I was doing some research for work when I found the site. "
Boy, I want your job. lol.
Me? I accidentally googled kanoes... Haha. Acually I was doing some canoe country searching and first it was solotripping, then quiet journey, then here. This is the most active site by far solotripping got to be too much for Harlan, quietjourney has great people, But not real active... This site is crazy good.
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A1t2o
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I found the site rather easily about 3 years ago when I was going on my first trip. I used it for the checklist and maps. I didn't find the forum until I started doing research and planning the next year's trip.
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hexnymph
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I don't remember.
Hex
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GoSpursGo
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best friend and tripping partner - tmoneyfsu - hes been quiet on the boards for awhile now but I owe him a great debt of gratitude for exposing me to the BWCA and this community.
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MHS67
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Back in 2007 Jeriatric told me about this site, been on it ever since.
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missmolly
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I'd tell ya if I remembered. I have a mind like a steel sieve.
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BSW
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After my brother took me to the BW the first time he started talking about the site. I have been hooked ever since.
~
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jcavenagh
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I believe that I was cruising the web looking for trip reports. I stumbled across this site. I only read trip reports for a few months before joining the site.
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BWCA
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Found "bwca.com" planning a trip to the boundary waters in February of 2002. Paid some guy in the Ukraine a good chuck of money for the domain name, and the adventure without boundaries began. And it would not be the same without the many wonderful members and moderators who have participated on the site and local gathering over the years.
Adam
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Twins87
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Google search while contemplating a return to canoe country after a 15 year hiatus (how did I ever go so long between trips?! Now I can't stand it if I don't get in multiple trips in a year)
Lurked for a couple of years.
Finally signed up right before our second trip with kids back in 2011. Met both Mocha and Nctry on that trip. Have met numerous members since that summer.
Have made a ton of great friends on this site and learned a lot. Still lurk far more than post.
I always know it's been a busy week at work if I haven't visited bwca.com at least once or twice. Sadly that happens a lot these days.
Thanks to Adam for creating this place for all of us. And thanks to all of the members and moderators throughout the years who have contributed to this community. I have learned so much and met so many wonderful people...life long friends and canoeing buds.
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