All of the recent off-topic threads have gotten me thinking that maybe we are not putting the learning from our Boundary Waters experiences to use in the rest of our lives. If we were, we would:

- leave no trace. Leave it better than you found it.
- pack light. Only bring what you really need.
- enjoy the day. Even if it's raining.
- appreciate our companions. They're on the same trip.
- work together to solve problems that come up. We're on the same trip.
- appreciate differences. Subtle or drastic.
- have fun. Don't forget what it was like to be a child.
- be still and quiet. You'll see and hear more.
- realize we don't always get our way. Sometimes the Packers win. Sometimes the winds blow hard.

What else?

Yes, I'm missing my boat.

Well said, Gutmon. We should all be thankful for that around us--things could be a lot worse.

I think that I do most of those things except "leave no trace". I'm leaving a trace right now on this message board. It's impossible NOT to leave a trace. And to be honest, I'd rather be remembered when I'm gone. That's leaving a trace. The only other thing I have a problem with are the differences. I think that sometimes I am too subtle and others react a bit drastically. Or maybe it's the other way around ... hmmmmm....

Good reminder, good thread Gutmon. I've always been one to believe that the habits we embrace in the B-Dub and Q, ( or at least most of us ) Should be indicative of our everyday living. The disheartening reality is, collectively,,, we don't.

As you know, sometimes heated discussion of this issue has risen under various named headings and a few of you have aptly responded that the problem is a 'systemic' one. I would take it a few steps further by saying that collectively, we have abandoned our ability to recognize the difference between wants and needs. The mantras surrounding our hypothetical freedoms teach us from an early age that we can, should, and deserve, to have it all.

Even though I live at or close to the poverty line by current US. standards, I would constitute myself a hypocrite by not including myself in this lot. We ALL have gear that we don't need.. We ALL have at least some weight we can shed to make it easier for our companions as well as ourselves.

Remember the path that you followed to get to the place that you are at. It is always good to look at where you have been as well as looking to where you want to go

it is true with life and it is true in canoe country

Well said, good man.

i agree with most of that. i would rather everyone make the trip their own and enjoy it how they want. if they want to be loud and not see anything...its up to them. if they want to bring things i dont see as needful, i am sure i bring things they dont see as needful.

quote gutmon: "All of the recent off-topic threads have gotten me thinking that maybe we are not putting the learning from our Boundary Waters experiences to use in the rest of our lives. If we were, we would:

- leave no trace. Leave it better than you found it.
- pack light. Only bring what you really need.
- enjoy the day. Even if it's raining.
- appreciate our companions. They're on the same trip.
- work together to solve problems that come up. We're on the same trip.
- appreciate differences. Subtle or drastic.
- have fun. Don't forget what it was like to be a child.
- be still and quiet. You'll see and hear more.
- realize we don't always get our way. Sometimes the Packers win. Sometimes the winds blow hard.

What else?"

a purely beautiful post. thanks for it.

quote gutmon: "All of the recent off-topic threads have gotten me thinking that maybe we are not putting the learning from our Boundary Waters experiences to use in the rest of our lives. If we were, we would:

- leave no trace. Leave it better than you found it.
- pack light. Only bring what you really need.
- enjoy the day. Even if it's raining.
- appreciate our companions. They're on the same trip.
- work together to solve problems that come up. We're on the same trip.
- appreciate differences. Subtle or drastic.
- have fun. Don't forget what it was like to be a child.
- be still and quiet. You'll see and hear more.
- realize we don't always get our way. Sometimes the Packers win. Sometimes the winds blow hard.

What else?"

Very well said, remember you can always disagree with class, and even though the packers won, im still going to be amazed by the world when I wake up tomorrow if im blessed enough to do so .

Ahem!...Amen.

Nice way to look at it. Good post.

I couldn't have said it better. Thanks!

Nice Post!