Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Reports :: Trip Report - Isolation on Clearwater Lake
|
Author | Message Text | ||
Koda |
quote nojobro: "Wow, I am surprised and honored that this report keeps getting brought back up. I admit I've dreamed of becoming a writer sometimes, but at the same time, I don't a) have time at the moment and b) really need to feel something to write like that." Um, Nola, you're an editor, write? ... er ... right? That means you're already a writer, since you're rewriting everything that comes your way. Your concern may have to do with originality (not the same as creativity). It may also have to do with being so occupied with life in general - can you say "kids"? - that you don't have room yet for your own words. It'll come. Just pay attention and take notes. :-) |
||
paddlefamily |
What a meaningful trip. A long time coming. I appreciated your honesty about the insight you gained on the BE-Turtle portage. Good to have clarity and a step towards resolution, even if it didn't come about the way you expected. Thanks for sharing. |
||
Mongo65 |
|
||
Basspro69 |
|
||
Koda |
I'd read this report a while back and found it well-written and insightful. On second read I particularly noted your comments about being broken open and becoming something better. I understood it the first time, but it really resonates with me now, as I'm adjusting to being single again. Thanks, Dave |
||
nojobro |
Can't wait to go back! ;-) |
||
BWPaddler |
I love the "peanuts" episode too and am sure you two chuckle whenever you get a chance for peanuts in the shell by the campfire! |
||
WhiteWolf |
I think that's part of it. The 3 solo trips I have been on,, when I have started getting the hibbie jibbies' it's nearly always becasue I'am not doing anything. You really have to trust yourself/ and choices you make to go,,, but in my mind,, you have to keep busy to thwart off the hibbie jibbies. Layover days are not a good thing, especially in bad weather which allows negative thoughts to race. Waking up on Lake Agnes alone, 30 mph winds at 3am and needing to get to a meeting place to meet another party in 6 hours, tests you mind. But it's GOOD for you. Nighttime can be challenging,, but at least in the summer, the nights are quite short. Solo in the winter,,, maybe one night-- just too much night. interesting reading about what others think about isolation. good report. WhiteWolf |
||
Koda |
I especially like that you included a photo of your girls. It seemed to close the loop, since your report had me feeling like I know you and John, at least somewhat. Also, I understand your feelings about vulnerability and isolation. I've done only two BWCA trips, first with my son a year ago, and another last May, solo. My third will start Sept. 9 and last 10 days - also solo. I've done quite a bit of solo tripping and camping in other places over the years, and even now it takes a little while to settle into the mindset of being careful, using good skills, and letting go. I've seen a few hazards and they've taught me both humility and confidence. For what it's worth, sitting up in your tent at 3 a.m. during a thunderstorm utterly terrified is completely normal. |
||
AndySG |
|
||
SunCatcher |
WOW Happy belated anniversary!! Always count your peanuts :) I loved the report and think you should be a dietician Nola. Your meal prep makes my instant oatmeal and cocoa and scnapps look bad. Hope to meet you sometime John. Take care of those girls! SunCatcher |
||
Bog |
But this past year I took a solo trip (down here in NW Iowa along a river...I know, not the same!). One night I started hearing every single noise and probably some that weren't out there. I now know what my wife was experiencing. Still, that 'feeling' I got made me want to take a solo trip in the bwca... |
||
bojibob |
|
||
nojobro |
Thanks for leaving us some berries. ;-) |
||
rr |
There are other aspects to your writing besides your willingness to share your fears, that makes it appealing. Your desire to bring the reader into your perceptions of everything around you is very enticing, and several comments noted that you make us feel as if we're your friends. A nice touch. Congratulations. I hope to read more of what you have to tell us. Not to down-play your ability, I'm pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing skills that a number of people exhibit in these reports. I'm fairly new to this site, so I'm pretty impressed. My heart sank when you mentioned your rain gear being not up to snuff. That is probably the one piece of equipment that's most important in the wilderness. If you're wet you are going to be miserable and maybe in danger. Anyway, thanks for a great report. I enjoyed it along with all these other people who have commented. |
||
Corsair |
|
||
EPFD217 |
Andy |
||
gbusk |
|
||
Beemer01 |
Thanks for taking the time to share with us. |
||
lars54 |
|
||
fishguts |
|
||
bruceye |
A while back I discussed with a friend how much more enjoyable these trips would be if we could do them without the proverbial 'clouds of darkness' that hang over our heads. It is without fail and to varying degrees that each of us will have to carry a 'torture stake' to the ends of this system of things. It is not a test for anyone leveled on us by a creator who gets his jollies seeing us anguish, but only an incidental to the current conditions that we live under. Right about now you're thinking, 'OMG it's another rant from one of those religio-kooks trying to get me to go to his church! Believe me when I tell you, I am as far removed from that lot as a person could possibly be. I have in fact come to learn through investigative honesty and inquiry that something much better is in store for those who maintain their integrity and diligently seek the truth. Process of elimination and historical track record tells us it will not come from the mainstream. Mt.7:13,14. Ok, 'nuffothat, I really enjoyed that report Nola, have you ever considered a career in some branch of literary communication? i.e columnist, author, teacher? Keep that good stuff comin' kid! You and your family will be in my prayers. |
||
SevenofNine |
Thanks for a nice trip report, great pictures and lovely insights. Like I said I reread your trip because it was a nice read. Best |
||
nojobro |
One thing about the feeling like friends thing that has been mentioned...I feel that way about this site, whether I'm actually friends with a particular individual or not, so I am sure that came through in the writing. Anyway....thank you all for reading and commenting. It does mean a lot to me. |
||
ChazzTheGnome |
|
||
camp-n-scrap |
Ready to start planning your next trip now? ;-) |
||
GrampaMike |
|
||
rlhedlund |
|
||
nojobro |
|
||
ILikePike |
we day tripped to turtle from BE so we couldnt stop and eat all the blueberries we saw and there were alot. i also remember stopping and taking a closer look at the ravine/crevice on the portage. it did have quite a bit of water in it. ahh a mosquito breeding ground!! i kinda wished i would have checked out the only good site on turtle. i just wanted to fish and catch the big one. do you have a picture of that bear grylls shelter? |
||
TomT |
Next time bring the girls! I think you'll have a blast with them. Thanks for posting. |
||
nojobro |
Trip Name: Isolation on Clearwater Lake. Entry Point: 84 Click Here to View Trip Report wc-20090801-1632 |
||
nojobro |
|
||
Bog |
nojobro, thanks for the insights and your thoughts. We have two kids that have had surgeries and extra needs at times. We are going in September and I need a break from everyday life. I love how the bwca sets my mind right again!! |
||
nojobro |
|
||
alpine525 |
|
||
onajourney |
|
||
rlhedlund |
|
||
photonanax2 |
|
||
nojobro |
|
||
EPFD217 |
If I had known I would have talked more. Glad you guys had a safe trip. My wife loves coming to the BWCA and this was her first year not going with me. She was very jealous. |