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First trip Sept 6!

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plainspaddler

08/17/2012 10:03PM

I'm so excited that my trip is soon becomiing a reality!!! I will be going from Voyageur Canoe outfitters with a tow to Red Rock. Will be a 3 day trip to see if my wife likes it. Any last minute suggestions or recommendations to make it a great trip. All comments apprecaited even smartass ones...lol!

Mike

The sound of a paddle in still waters will steal your soul.

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SevenofNine

08/18/2012 01:37PM

My suggestion is to take some surprise desserts or snacks for the trip. Either bring some oil and popcorn or buy a Jiffy pop popcorn pack for one night.

If you are bringing your wife many people suggest a solar shower. I don't own one and haven't ever thought of bringing one. But maybe it would be nice for your wife.

Have a great trip and I look forward to a trip report.

The amount of satisfaction you get from life depends largely on your own ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness. People who wait around for life to supply their satisfaction usually find boredom instead.

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maxxbhp

08/18/2012 01:44PM

Be sure Sue gives you some GORP, it's the best there is.

"Old Nashville still has a song and dance, and the Florida girls still wear no underpants. And we all get drunk at the football game, yeh the new south, thank God is still the same" Hank Williams, jr

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Kevlar

08/19/2012 01:47PM

A small, lightweight foldup chair (stool = no backrest. chair = backrest) would be nice. A pair of field glasses to see what's "over there". Baby-wipes and Purell hand cleaner would make her feel fresher and cleaner.

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plainspaddler

08/19/2012 03:36PM

Thanks guys great suggestions. I had the purell packed but forgot about wipes...that is a great idea! Chairs are ready to go too. Popcorn is a must!

Mike

The sound of a paddle in still waters will steal your soul.

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Frenchy19

08/19/2012 08:31PM

Best wishes to you for a safe and enjoyable trip! The only words of wisdom I have to offer are never, ever criticize your wife's paddling or portaging abilities...spoken from experience. Please be sure to post upon your return how things went!

"He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious." Yogi Berra

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Spartan2

08/20/2012 06:06AM

Have a wonderful time. Speaking as a wife who has been doing wilderness canoe-tripping for 40 years, I can only hope she loves it one-tenth as much as I have. Wishes for a great trip! :-)

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Mort

08/20/2012 08:26AM

Perhaps the obvious, ...but don't forget to bring adequately warm sleeping bags (& clothes. It can get darn right cold in September, especially at night.

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drought

08/20/2012 10:35AM

Box of Ho-Ho's repackaged in a Nestle Quik plastic chocolate mix container. If she is anything like my wife, a little bit of chocolate heaven goes a long way.

Sunshowers are also a great idea but you may not need or be able to use it on a three day trip. If she hates being dirty though, it may save the trip. Just be sure to be out of site of the lake when it is used and make sure your canoe is visible from the shore. This from experience...

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BuckFlicks

08/20/2012 08:43PM

I've never taken a girlfriend camping, but I've thought about what I would bring if I did to make the trip more tolerable for her... here are some things I have always had on my mental checklist:

Mountain House Blueberry Cobbler, or any flavor of Cheesecake. Fantastic desserts.

Stridex pads are awesome for that 'clean face' feeling, even moreso than a baby wipe - those go a long way toward making the grubbies go away. I haven't taken them on a trip in a long time as I trended more toward ultralight from maximum comfort.

I do like Dr Bronner's peppermit soap for camping... it can serve as soap, shampoo, dish soap... and it's biodegradable and organic. It also comes in eucalyptus, almond and lavender, but I find the peppermint to be the least pungent and makes me feel the most clean. I've never used it in bear country, though - I don't know if the peppermint smell is one that would attract bears, but I don't want to risk it.

A camp chair is definitely a good suggestion - even though most sites have some sort of rudimentary log bench or rocks convenient for sitting, a nice chair will definitely make someone feel more comfy in camp.

Does she like wine? If she gets anxious about being out at night, a "glass" of wine might make things more mellow ... or if she's like me, I never sleep well while camping because I just don't... it could be a sleep aid. You can get small plastic glass-size bottles at convenience stores or liquor stores. I've never taken booze into the BWCA, but I will tell you a nice cold beer with a burger by a fire after a long day on a river in TX was just about the best camp meal I've ever had.

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bbrown6057

08/21/2012 09:27PM

quote Frenchy19: "Best wishes to you for a safe and enjoyable trip! The only words of wisdom I have to offer are never, ever criticize your wife's paddling or portaging abilities...spoken from experience. Please be sure to post upon your return how things went!"

+1 do NOT bring up paddling X2

Do most of the work around camp, she will appreciate the effort. Don't plan on her being your personal sherpa either, carry the heavy packs and give her the light stuff. Chocolates, hot cocoa, and a comfortable chair (that she knows she has to carry) and any other treats you can think of will make the trip more enjoyable.

Give her the book "Shades of Gray"...all will be good =)

"You have a cough? Go home tonight, eat a whole box of Ex-Lax, tomorrow you'll be afraid to cough."

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jb in the wild

08/21/2012 11:34PM

All very good suggestions I want to add, MAKE SURE SHE STAYS WARM AND DRY. If Momma's not happy nobody's happy.

Warm sleeping bags, long johns and rain gear all a must.

JB

You can't explain the obvious to the ignorant.

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bfurlow

08/22/2012 08:45AM

quote jb in the wild: "All very good suggestions I want to add, MAKE SURE SHE STAYS WARM AND DRY. If Momma's not happy nobody's happy.

Warm sleeping bags, long johns and rain gear all a must.

JB "

+1

Agree with the previous paddling comments too...

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