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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: This is killing me!
 
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Banksiana
07/01/2019 03:39PM
 
I feel for you. I'm usually a glutton but have yet to cross the border this year. Ice-out hesitated just long enough to close my schedule window, in early June I got called back to work a few days before a planned excursion, then work took away any chance for August. I have a Sarah permit in 2.5 weeks and am plotting a long trip in September, maybe another in October. A year would be brutal.
 
24kGold
07/02/2019 09:29PM
 
Thanks, guys. I think I'm gonna make it.
 
bobbernumber3
07/01/2019 10:32AM
 
The reason you can't go will dictate your remedy.


Shoulder injury - hike on the North Country Trail.
No vacation time - long weekend near home tent camping
Canoe buddies ditched you - solo trip.
Kids graduation - plan fall trip
Wife won't let you - new wife.


Get to work on your remedy!
 
24kGold
07/02/2019 07:08AM
 
I appreciate your empathy and suggestions. But it's like craving steak and you're served turkey patties instead. Sure, you can fill up on turkey patties, but it's not the satisfaction you'd get with steak.


I can catch walleye here in Arkansas. I can canoe the Buffalo River, hike the mountains and fish on a multitude of lakes. It's a wonderful place to live if you love the outdoors. It does fulfill me.


But, there's something special about dipping a paddle into a pristine lake and gliding across the silver surface to a secluded island campsite, cooking food over a campfire where relatively few have been, and falling asleep to the call of loons.


I'm going to miss the drive north and the sight of the bridge in Duluth at daybreak. I'm craving the Northshore drive lined with birch and the patches of lupine. My plate of blueberry pancakes at the Bluewater Cafe in Grand Marais will have to be served to someone else this year.


I know I sound melancholy, but I'll get over it. Next year will be sweeter, and I know that for that special week, I can slip back into a place that never changes.







 
24kGold
07/01/2019 06:54AM
 
I've paddled into Quetico almost every year since 1997. I'm not able to go this year for the first time in a very long time. This is the week I would normally be there and it's killing me.

Earlier in the year when I realized I wouldn't be going, I thought I could handle it. "It will be okay. A year off will make me appreciate next year more." I kept telling myself that until about 2 weeks ago. Now, I can't say that anymore without making myself nauseous.

I know that reading this message board and looking at north-shore lake cams is causing further torture to my soul, but I can't help myself. I'm addicted to Quetico trips and I'm not getting my fix.

Maybe I should find a group somewhere. "Hello, my name is Terry, and I'm a Quetico-aholic." No. I don't need that kind of cure, I need to go north for a week. I'm almost to the point of sitting in a pile of ashes and rending my garments!

Okay, it's not quite that bad, but, I miss my annual Quetico trip. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? Something that can help me make it until next year? Some type of cyber hug that will ease my pain? Anything?


 
Jackfish
07/01/2019 07:47AM
 
I've gone almost every year since 1986. The years that I missed were tough and I probably drove my wife and co-workers nuts by constantly telling them what I'd be doing if I were up there. Your comment, "A year off will make me appreciate next year more." is definitely true.
 
saltdog
07/01/2019 09:16AM
 
I know and feel your pain. It has happened to me twice in the past 17 years. It is time I have lost and will never get back. The next year will be sweet.
 
Thwarted
07/02/2019 10:18AM
 
Let me try to help. I had an uneasy feeling heading into our trip this year. My buddy had family issues starting to simmer and my family had several health issues in process. But, I was encouraged to go. So we did. And it was not a good trip. So many adverse things happened that I don't even want to list them. I will try to add a picture of something we dealt with on the way home that was, in perspective, a small matter. My point is that you may be being spared from something much worse than wishing you were somewhere else. I think you have to assume that is true and trust that next year will be an awesome year that will make up for this current but temporary longing.



 
GraniteCliffs
07/01/2019 10:59AM
 
That is tough, very tough.
I have paddled Quetico every year for a long, long time. Like 45 years, always at least twice. This year I have done my solo in the Q and don't go again until August 21st. I am on hold pending the birth of our first grandchild. And that break is killing me.
I feel for you holding a full year!
 
BnD
07/02/2019 09:13AM
 
We skipped this year also due to family commitments (i.e daughters wedding, college tuition, graduations,...…). Sad month of June around here.:( Point being your not alone.
 
Wables
07/04/2019 08:36PM
 
I missed last year for the first time in 9 years due to back problems. It sucked. But I made 2 trips to Voyageurs Park (BWCA with motors) and a houseboat trip to Lac Seul, so my summer didn’t totally suck. I had back surgery in February, and canoe trips were a huge motivating factor in my rehab. Only 8 more days until I’m back on the water!