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When did you first hear of "The Boundary Waters?

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walllee

04/16/2012 09:13PM

My grandfather made his first trip to the northland back in 1959. He came up to buy cedar flats for his greenhouse business from Hill Wood products in Cook. A year later he owned a island cabin on Lake Vermilion. He developed a great love for this land at first sight, and was a friend to all. He would haul fresh produce that he grew in his 5 acre garden in Illinois and give it away to all his friends in the Cook area. Boy, did the people appreciate it. For some reason he never did a boundry waters trip, but I no he would of loved to. I can remember him studying his big book of Fisher maps for hours on end and discussing places on the maps with the local friends in the Cook area. As a young boy of 5 or 6 years of age I to started looking at the maps and dreaming of the wild and untamed wilderness that I wanted to explore. I was the ripe old age of 15 when myself,my cousin,and another friend ventured up to Lac La croix and experienced the wonders that this land had to offer. It has been a love affair that has spanned 37 years. When did the words Boundry waters enter your life, and who was responsible?

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nojobro

04/16/2012 09:47PM

I grew up in the Cities. I don't remember when I first learned of it. It's like I've just always known.

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RainGearRight

04/16/2012 09:49PM

My Dad's Dad grew up in Grand Rapids, Mn, right where Wal-mart is now. He began taking trips to the "roadless area" after returning from flying twenty seven missions in WWII. Barney(GP) started bringing his family in the sixties and seventies while working for the state as a Fisheries Biologist. Then in the eighties my dad took our family along with Barn and Grandma, Aunts and Uncles. I was seven, carrying a seventy pound food pack and stopping at the first canoe rest for a snickers break on my first trip into Stuart. I was spent at the end of the day but Barney told me on his way back to grab another pack that Stuart was "just over the hill". The next paddle was always just over the hill for him.

I took those trips for granted. I was to young to appreciate it at the time. I thought my time could have better been spent watching cartoons and playing Nintendo. Little, did I know.

It was too late for both my Dad and Barney when I finally wanted to return in my late twenties. Dad was long gone but Barney remained, able, but unwilling to portage, even though we both knew he wanted to go one last time. To this day I know he was able, but also I knew that he wanted to keep the last time he went, a trip to Grace with my dad, in his memory as his final trip.

Barney loved canoe country from his beginnings with it, in spite of the changes and regulations that made it the BWCA. He was a leave no trace camper before it was mandatory and he made sure that we were too.

I am so very thankful for him. Thank you Grandpa.

There's always money in the banana stand.

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kanoes

04/16/2012 09:51PM

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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Savage Voyageur

04/16/2012 09:53PM

My friend Dean first told me about the BWCA in 1978. We brought the wives the next year, 1979. They hated the place and we loved it.

"So many lakes, so little time."

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bellolake

04/16/2012 09:59PM

My first exposure was probably about when the Wilderness Act of 1964 was passed. Some folks from the Forest Service came to a Cub Scout Pack meeting, showed a film and talked about the area. The only thing that really stuck with me from the film was the method of dealing with trash. Burn what you could, and sink the rest in the lake. No bans on cans and bottles in those days. Piqued the interest of a youngster who loved to camp.

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schweady

04/16/2012 10:27PM

1978. My first year there. My new bride and I chaperoned a church youth group. LIS-Shell-Oyster-Agnes-LLC-Iron-Stewart. Bear in camp our first night. Never one since.

"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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wetcanoedog

04/16/2012 11:12PM

i'm going to guess sometime in the early-middle 60's,maybe in Scouts there was talk at our wilderness style camp in Canada,this was US Scouts, about the real canoe wilderness in Northern Minnesota and when i was at the DMZ in Korea,68-69,i carried a ad for one of the outfitters in my wallet.it was the one with the guys paddling past a beaver lodge.
end of story is i moved to Bemidji to finish college and be close to canoe country.

it's just a level trail thru the woods.

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Curmudgeon

04/16/2012 11:32PM

Unfortunately nobody in my family was into camping in the BWCA, so I was a young adult before I made my first trip.

I grew up near the area, so I have been aware of its existence all of my life.

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Jackfish

Moderator

04/16/2012 11:33PM

1985. My buddy asked if I wanted to go on a canoe trip to Quetico. I said ok, and I went for my first trip in 1986.

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

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Frenchy19

04/16/2012 11:41PM

First heard of it in the late 70's from a buddy's mom who used to go with some friends. First trip was in 80 after finishing high school.

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

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RaisedByBears99

04/16/2012 11:43PM

When did the words Boundary waters enter your life, and who was responsible?"

I can't remember the details clearly, as I was young, but we'd been on a fishing trip and someone said, "BWCA." I asked what that was and got laughed at by one of my older city cousins and told it was where we'd been. I remember feeling very foolish and provincial.

I believe the first fishing trip I was on was in 1958 or 1959, to either Tuscarora or Gabi.

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Aaron79

04/16/2012 11:47PM

One day early 1998, my self and some really good friends were hanging out at my buddys dads house (we all just finished high school) and my buddy said.."you guys have got to see this video of my dad and his buddys camping". So we watched a home video of his dad and a few others of their trip to the BWCA. i think the video was from 1996. We were HOOKED. Within a few weeks we had our trip planed for late August and set up with Cliff Wolds for our gear. We went in 98' and 99' a few days after the big blow down. I just went back in September 2010 and am heading out again this May 29th. After this trip i will have been to the bwca with 12 different adults and 5 kids.

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strom2127

04/17/2012 02:11AM

I remember being vaguely familiar with it for most of my life. My family did a lot of camping when I was a kid, but it was all car camping at places like state parks. I have very fond memories of all of those trips, but my parents had no interest in "wilderness" camping.
It was in the spring of 1998 when I was about 23 that a friend of mine who was big into backpacking that really got my interest piqued. After talking about if frequently for a month or less that I went out and started acquiring my initial backpacking gear. That summer we hiked a small section of the Kek, and that was my first "wilderness" experience.
I remember thinking it was really cool, but the coolest thing I saw on the trip was one beautiful solitary sunset on what seemed to be a deserted lake. I moved to Colorado that year and continued backpacking and there I was absolutely blown away by the vistas that I saw backpacking in the mountains as opposed to not seeing more than twenty yards in front of you at any point in the BWCA.
When I moved home and got married I didn't really have any contacts interested in these kind of things, so I mistakenly believed these adventures were behind me. However, in 2010 I couldn't do without it anymore and recruited a couple greenhorns to join me for our first canoe trip. We made SOOOO many crazy rookie mistakes and decisions, but all in all the trip was a success.
Last summer was my second canoe trip and we still made our fair share of mistakes, but we got better. This year is our last dry run before we start bringing our boys in the summer of 2013. I can't imagine going without it. I only hope that my children develop an attachment similar to mine for that beautiful country so I don't have to exert too much force to get them to join me for many years.

"Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more."

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SunCatcher

04/17/2012 04:52AM

I heard tales of the boundary waters from some friends who went there, but never really understood about them until my son went there in 2008, as part of a college geology trip.
He came home with pictures and video, and by golly I was hooked on the notion that this place would be ok with me...
So planned a trip with my sons in 2009, and been hooked on this canoe camping thing ever since.
SunCatcher

Dad Always said "We don't Always catch fish...but we ALWAYS have a good time"

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Spartan2

04/17/2012 06:27AM

Spartan1 met Doug Bobo, who was the owner/operator of Camp Easton for Boys on Little Long Lake, at a summer job fair at Michigan State University in the winter of 64/65. Doug hired him to be the riflery instructor and a camp counselor at the camp for the '65 summer season.

All of the boys at the camp took a canoe trip during their summer stay. Spartan1's first canoe trip for himself is briefly mentioned in my trip report about our first trip in 1971.

I learned about it from him shortly after meeting him in 1965, and he persuaded me to take my first trip in '71. But our first trip wasn't to the BWCA, it was a loop in Canada.

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butthead

04/17/2012 06:30AM

quote Jackfish: "1985. My buddy asked if I wanted to go on a canoe trip to Quetico. I said ok, and I went for my first trip in 1986. "

Same for me! 1982 fly in to Clay lake, paddled out thru Silver falls.
It became a habit!

butthead

“There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.” ? Frank Zappa

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HowardSprague

04/17/2012 07:27AM

1988, I believe.
A friend and I wanted to do a fishing trip. I sent in for info from the Kabetogama area and from the Ely area. The Ely stuff started rolling into my mailbox first - tons of flyers/brochures, before I got one thing from the Kabetogama area. So that's where we concentrated on. Had little money, so we settled on the cheapest resort we could find (White Iron Beach Resort - miss you, Bob & Maggie r.i.p.) and drove up for a few days. It was a motor boat/cabin trip, and we continued that for 5 years or so, but when we got up there that's when we learned about the BWCA. Second(?) year up - for a week - the cabin we had had no shower (only a big tub with a big rust ring, no thanks!), so we went into town to Voyageur North and saw people coming back from canoe trips. Didn't sink in and hook me right away, but when it did it did!

"Enjoy every sandwich"

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OneMatch

04/17/2012 07:35AM

1994 was going thru a divorce with the previous Mrs OneMatch. Days after she moved out (in April) I got my first big royalty check from Tim McGraw (the ex never did find out about that :-) )

A songwriting buddy of mine here wanted to help me spend it, so he took me to Ely, we hung there for a couple of days and then went in 2 weeks to Quetico. Was awesome.

Came back home, bought a better canoe, gear and still had $ left over to go back up!

1994 - it was the worst of years, it was the best of years. Gone up ever since.

We all have to believe in something. I believe I'll go paddle.

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Craig K

04/17/2012 07:53AM

I was first asked by my brother in 2005 but didn't make my first trip until 2006. I've been going back ever since. ...and planning many more.

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overthehill

04/17/2012 08:08AM

1972. I think our scoutmaster saw a 'Canadian Waters' ad in a magazine. We began planning and went the next year.

Not to Hurry-Not to Worry

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mooseplums

04/17/2012 08:29AM

In high school.... a guy I knew went there, and told me all about it.

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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prettypaddle

04/17/2012 09:22AM

In ‘92 I saw this ad in the back of a magazine and realized that I needed to go there. I sent away for all the brochures and had it all figured out, but couldn’t ever convince anyone to go. The clipping stayed taped to my mirror and I kept dreaming.

Eight years later an old friend from high school asked if I wanted to go canoeing with him at this place way up in northern Minnesota. The Boundary Waters? Um, yes! The clipping is still taped to my mirror and the friend is now my husband.

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gutmon

04/17/2012 09:44AM

"The trouble with the world isn't that people know too little, but that they know so much that just ain't so." Mark Twain

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bear bait

04/17/2012 09:54AM

quote prettypaddle: " In ‘92 I saw this ad in the back of a magazine and realized that I needed to go there. I sent away for all the brochures and had it all figured out, but couldn’t ever convince anyone to go. The clipping stayed taped to my mirror and I kept dreaming.

Eight years later an old friend from high school asked if I wanted to go canoeing with him at this place way up in northern Minnesota. The Boundary Waters? Um, yes! The clipping is still taped to my mirror and the friend is now my husband. "

The photography by Jim Brandenberg is how I discovered the BWCA too.

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IA_Seth

04/17/2012 09:57AM

quote OneMatch: "1994 was going thru a divorce with the previous Mrs OneMatch. Days after she moved out (in April) I got my first big royalty check from Tim McGraw (the ex never did find out about that :-) )

A songwriting buddy of mine here wanted to help me spend it, so he took me to Ely, we hung there for a couple of days and then went in 2 weeks to Quetico. Was awesome.

Came back home, bought a better canoe, gear and still had $ left over to go back up!

1994 - it was the worst of years, it was the best of years. Gone up ever since."

Hey, what did you write? I've always thought some of Tim McGraw's songs have had great lyrics.

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mirth

04/17/2012 10:09AM

2005ish. A buddy from high school posted a story on a message board about this canoe trip him and 2 friends took. It took me 2 years after that to rediscover some of the things I used to love to do but forgot about since I was a kid. Started planning my first trip almost 12 months prior to entry, been hooked ever since.

All I want to do is get a boat and paddle whenever possible. It's a sickness, I know.

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blutofish1

04/17/2012 10:55AM

1986 at a Boat sport and travel show. Started going in 1987.

blutofish

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inspector13

04/17/2012 11:25AM

I already knew about the BWCA when a friend’s father took him on a canoe trip before both our families moved in 1969. I remember sort of being envious of him since my canoe trips outside the BWCA were structured by the Scouts. His time was spent fishing with his dad.

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joetrain

04/17/2012 11:36AM

I attended a fishing show and one of the booths had 2 of the prettiest girls that I had ever seen working there. I walked up like I was drawn by a magnet and promptly booked a trip. That was in 1986 and I have gone every year since sometimes twice a year.

al dio sia la gloria

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BWPaddler

04/17/2012 12:27PM

quote bear bait: "quote prettypaddle: " In ‘92 I saw this ad in the back of a magazine and realized that I needed to go there. I sent away for all the brochures and had it all figured out, but couldn’t ever convince anyone to go. The clipping stayed taped to my mirror and I kept dreaming.

Eight years later an old friend from high school asked if I wanted to go canoeing with him at this place way up in northern Minnesota. The Boundary Waters? Um, yes! The clipping is still taped to my mirror and the friend is now my husband. "

The photography by Jim Brandenberg is how I discovered the BWCA too."
+3. I was living in DC at the time and anything nationally published about MN was an anomaly.

prettypaddle - awesome story!!

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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Sierra1

04/17/2012 01:20PM

I went with my father and uncle on a trip down the Perent River from Isabella in 1967. That was my first experience where I heard the area called the BWCA.

Watch out for that rock!!!........ Oooo.... That's going to leave a mark...

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jcavenagh

04/17/2012 01:29PM

1972...a buddy went for Outward Bound or YoungLife

LNT - The road to success is always under construction. http://hikingillinois.blogspot.com/

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Ragged

04/17/2012 02:11PM

I have two cousins that were older than me, we were basically best friends thru all of my child hood. Every summer they would start yapping about going on a “canoe trip”, I think they intentionally rubbed it in. We all loved to fish and every year they would come back with stories of unlimited walleye and Smallmouth, Northerns big enough to eat a small child, I was always so so jealous. That’s when I first heard of it, I was tortured for at least 4 years before the older of the two cousins was of the age that they could start bringing a 2nd boat, then I got to go… finally… that must have been around 1990.

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schweady

04/17/2012 02:38PM

quote joetrain: "I attended a fishing show and one of the booths had 2 of the prettiest girls that I had ever seen working there. I walked up like I was drawn by a magnet and promptly booked a trip. That was in 1986 and I have gone every year since sometimes twice a year."
Lynn and Baby Amber?

"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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boconorm

04/17/2012 02:41PM

For me, it was an article in the back of my local paper's Sunday travel section in 2004.

My national guard unit was about to deploy to Iraq. The main thing I was dreading about this little adventure was being away from my kids. When I read this, I thought it would be a perfect vacation from my son and I.

I spent a bunch of my down time researching the area.

When I returned, we waited a couple of years until my son was 14 and able to carry a pack. We went then and once more and had great times.

My middle child has told me that she wants to go when she turns 16. I was hoping she would, but did not want to push the issue. She is 13 now, so it will be a couple of years.

Unfortunately, my wife considers being in a cabin as camping. It is not her thing. More unfortunately, my youngest appears to take after her. She is only 5, so I have time, but we will have to see.

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Jeriatric

04/17/2012 03:24PM

In my case, the discovery of the BW came late in life. At age 59, in 2006, I was visiting MN in order to visit the farm my great grandfather owned in 1876 and the town (Windom) he sometimes lived in.
Having flown in and out of Minneapolis, my wife was not about to pass up a chance to visit a famous mall so I spent time sitting on a wall bench while she explored the place. She felt that I might be getting bored people-watching so she found a couple of brochures from the wall-holders and gave them to me. One flyer was "Fishing in Minnesota" and the other was about the Boundary Waters.
The flyers excited me and the next three warm seasons I traveled from California to the BW. I liked the idea that I was fishing for the same species of fish that my ancestors had likely caught.

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FullGo

04/17/2012 03:31PM

I had heard the term "Boundary Waters", but had no idea of what it was. My wife helped chaparone a high school trip to the BW and said I would love it. I requested info from Ely and read every book could get from the public library as well as purchasing some of my own before talking our first trip about 10 years ago. I couldn't believe I had lived in Minnesota for 12 years and never knew anything about it -- must be a well-kept secret.

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Unas10

04/17/2012 04:35PM

In the early 70's two of my brothers worked up there installing fire grates and latrines. I was only 11 or 12 but it sounded like a cool place to me even then. Fast forward to 2002 and the two thought it would make a nice brother's trip. It was. Four out of six of us went in at Sawbill and spent a few days on Cherokee. We have been going back every year since then.

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Scout64

04/17/2012 06:44PM

In the early 70's my Dad, his friends and their son's went up for an annual trip over MEA weekend.

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."

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boonie

04/17/2012 06:58PM

As a youngster I was generally aware of the "voyageurs", their mode of travel, and their country. I also remember ads in the outdoors magazines about fishing in the area. I always wanted to go there, but I can't really say exactly when I became aware of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

However, in late 2001/early 2002 someone on the Backpacker forums asked who wanted to go to the Boundary Waters and my interest was rekindled. Three of us went in fall of 2002.

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KTorell

04/17/2012 07:12PM

in my dreams

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OBX2Kayak

04/17/2012 07:28PM

When did I first hear of the BWCA?

It must have been about 1961. My sixth grade teacher took ten of us guys up to what was then just called "The Boundary Waters." We didn't have many rules but, back then we did not see many people either.

"I go because it irons out the wrinkles in my soul" -- Sigurd Olson

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Grandma L

04/17/2012 09:04PM

In the mid-1960's Camp Trelipe near Remer, MN (Camp Fire Girls) was sending trips to "the boundary waters" and into Canada. That is where I first heard about it and where I took my first canoe trip.

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OneMatch

04/17/2012 09:44PM

quote IA_Seth: "quote OneMatch: "1994 was going thru a divorce with the previous Mrs OneMatch. Days after she moved out (in April) I got my first big royalty check from Tim McGraw (the ex never did find out about that :-) )

A songwriting buddy of mine here wanted to help me spend it, so he took me to Ely, we hung there for a couple of days and then went in 2 weeks to Quetico. Was awesome.

Came back home, bought a better canoe, gear and still had $ left over to go back up!

1994 - it was the worst of years, it was the best of years. Gone up ever since."
Hey, what did you write? I've always thought some of Tim McGraw's songs have had great lyrics."
IA Seth - "For A Little While" (from the album "Everywhere", "Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits" and some collector's editions.

Also, "It Doesn't Get Any Countrier Than This" from the CD, "Not A Moment Too Soon" - it was that song that garnered the royalty check that bought my canoe and gear!

We all have to believe in something. I believe I'll go paddle.

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GeoFisher

04/17/2012 09:49PM

1998. I'm forever GRATEFUL for my friends from Northeast Christian Church for initially inviting me.

Those friends include some here, and my old boss. I've gone on 22 trips since, and for most of those trips, at least 1 member from the original crew has gone along.

On my trip this year, my old boss is going with me. GadgetMan is also going with me.

Actually, I should say my two trips this year. I am fortunate enough to be going in May. I'm also taking a trip in August to the end of the Gunflint. On that trip, we're renting a cabin for the week. The cool thing is that we're taking 2 cars and two families are splitting the cabin. I've convinced my wife to let me and Natalie, and Ashley (god daughter) to spend 5 additional days paddling in the park.

So my August cabin trip is now a 5 day cabin trip and a 5 day paddle trip.

Gotta LOVE it.

Later,

Geo

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GraniteCliffs

04/17/2012 10:21PM

I was lucky. I grew up on Lake Vermilion, just a portage away from the BW. So I guess in the late 50's before it was officially the BW.

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Jonesy

04/17/2012 10:24PM

First heard about the BWCA sometime back in 1998 from some college buddies...this was a graduation trip they were taking with their fathers. Always wanted to go, but didn't have the opportunity until 2006 with a friend who hadn't been since he was in his teens. When I think of "outdoors" this is the first place that comes to mind for me.

I think my wife first heard about this place soon after my first trip, and continues to hear about the bdub on a weekly, if not daily basis :-)

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AdamXChicago

04/17/2012 11:29PM

1978 - trip organized by our high school to Quetico. That program went on for another 10-12 years, before interest amongst the youth of Holy Cross faded :-( Too bad - their loss...

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boonie

04/18/2012 06:46AM

quote Jonesy: "

I think my wife first heard about this place soon after my first trip, and continues to hear about the bdub on a weekly, if not daily basis :-)"

:) My wife is sick and tired of hearing about it too.

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greenydd

04/18/2012 07:36AM

great thread and great stories!!!
i made my first few trips with my church youth group. had a blast. then was out of it for many years till tina and i started tripping in 1992. havent stopped yet!

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HowardSprague

04/18/2012 08:10AM

I'm always amazed at how many people first experienced the BWCA through "church groups". To me, doing something with people from church was always a foreign concept (- maybe it's just not common with Catholic churches?) and would not have sounded like fun. Church was basically one long, grueling hour during the week when you had to kneel a lot while wearing uncomfortable clothes you couldn't wait to peel off the second you got home, so hanging out some more would not have been appealing. (And a weeklong canoe trip? I picture lots of bible talk, which would have kept me from fishing. :( )

"Enjoy every sandwich"

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burntsider

04/18/2012 08:15AM

1964

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schweady

04/18/2012 10:01AM

HowardSprague:
In the 34 years we've been with our church, 4 of the pastors have been avid outdoorsmen with many years of BW experience. Maybe a combination of being an ELCA church and being in the Perham area helped mold my youth/men's BW trip experiences into something very different from what you picture. Sorry about the sore knees.

"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Kiporby

04/18/2012 12:45PM

In Junior High. A bunch of guys from church when there for a retreat. Boy I wished I could have gone with them. Sounded so cool to me.

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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Spartan2

04/18/2012 02:39PM

quote HowardSprague: "I'm always amazed at how many people first experienced the BWCA through "church groups". To me, doing something with people from church was always a foreign concept (- maybe it's just not common with Catholic churches?) and would not have sounded like fun. Church was basically one long, grueling hour during the week when you had to kneel a lot while wearing uncomfortable clothes you couldn't wait to peel off the second you got home, so hanging out some more would not have been appealing. (And a weeklong canoe trip? I picture lots of bible talk, which would have kept me from fishing. :( )"

I always feel very sad when I read something like this. The people in our church are a varied group, and lot of them are fun--I enjoy spending time with them. Our children had great times at church camp and in youth group activities, and I enjoy retreats and other activities with people from church. I am hosting a retreat for a group from church at our lake cottage in a couple of weeks, and we will have fun. . .perhaps a bit of Bible talk, but also a long walk in the woods, some wine and cheese in the evening (maybe with a campfire), and some really good fellowship. Someone may even take the canoe out for a paddle. :-)

But I also have friends who are Roman Catholics who greatly enjoy fun and fellowship activities with others from their church, so I don't think it is just a Lutheran thing. I am sad to hear that church was such a negative experience for you, Howard. My Catholic friends in Illinois go to a parish where the worship is very casual, very friendly, and not at all "dressy" or uncomfortable. I think a week-long canoe trip with those folks wouldn't be a chore at all. . .and most of the Catholics I know aren't even that much into Bible talk.

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Spartan2

04/18/2012 02:46PM

quote boonie: "quote Jonesy: "

I think my wife first heard about this place soon after my first trip, and continues to hear about the bdub on a weekly, if not daily basis :-)"

:) My wife is sick and tired of hearing about it too."

I'm glad my husband didn't leave me at home, so we can talk about it together.

I just gave a program for the local Lions Club last Monday about our 40 years of canoeing in the BWCA/Q. Made up a slide show on Power Point with about 300 photos, and sort of chronicled the changes in my photography during four decades of canoeing, as well as how our tripping has changed in that time. My talk and the photos were really well received, but the audience's reaction was mainly that we are crazy! They kept zeroing in on the "danger" involved and how "brave" we are. . . .no one seemed to even realize that we are probably in more danger just driving from mid-Michigan to northern Minnesota every year.

Sigh.

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MrBreeze

04/18/2012 02:57PM

1976
Started planning a trip, fund raising, to go to a camp in MN. I didn't really care where it was as long as it was not in Kansas. Once we got there, it was luv at first site and I have been going back every year since I was old enough. My friends fishing for catfish in the local ponds ( dont get me wrong, I enjoy fishing for catfish too) didn't understand why I would go that far away just to fish and camp. Till they came along.

I wish I were, I wish I might, I wish I was in the BWCA tonite!

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DayDreamin

04/18/2012 03:17PM

I went to "Camp Isabella" when I was 10 or so. like '83'84 era.
I guess growing up in MN, Boundary Waters was talked about often

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CrookedPaddler1

04/18/2012 03:41PM

Heard about it in the early 80's while a boy scout in michigan. When we moved to the twin cities in 86 I was able to get a job at sommers canoe base and thus start a life long addiction to the boundary waters!

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boonie

04/18/2012 06:57PM

quote Spartan2: "quote boonie: "quote Jonesy: "

I think my wife first heard about this place soon after my first trip, and continues to hear about the bdub on a weekly, if not daily basis :-)"

:) My wife is sick and tired of hearing about it too."

I'm glad my husband didn't leave me at home, so we can talk about it together.

I just gave a program for the local Lions Club last Monday about our 40 years of canoeing in the BWCA/Q. Made up a slide show on Power Point with about 300 photos, and sort of chronicled the changes in my photography during four decades of canoeing, as well as how our tripping has changed in that time. My talk and the photos were really well received, but the audience's reaction was mainly that we are crazy! They kept zeroing in on the "danger" involved and how "brave" we are. . . .no one seemed to even realize that we are probably in more danger just driving from mid-Michigan to northern Minnesota every year.

Sigh."

Just in case you misunderstood, Spartan2 - I didn't leave my wife at home, that's her choice. She's always invited, but would prefer to stay home by herself. I used to take my daughters camping for whole weekends when they were small and she never went. I had them at most of WV's state parks before they were teens. Camping is one thing she doesn't do, and canoeing is another. And therefore, she has no interest in hearing about it. She also refuses to go whitewater rafting with me and my daughter. Now that's dangerous! ;).

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KevinL

04/18/2012 07:09PM

Must have been about 1976 or 77 when our Scoutmaster told three of us if we could get out Eagle Scout Project done he would take us on a trip that we would not forget. He was right.

KevinL

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burntsider

04/18/2012 07:11PM

quote KevinL: "Must have been about 1976 or 77 when our Scoutmaster told three of us if we could get out Eagle Scout Project done he would take us on a trip that we would not forget. He was right. "

Your comment reminded me of how many scouts were in Ely -- large groups of scouts in school buses -- in the 60s and 70s. I rarely see scouts these days, and haven't for decades. Any thoughts as to why these groups have vanished up here?

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Kots

04/18/2012 07:24PM

I always grew up camping with my family, but I first heard about the BWCA when a college buddy suggest we take a trip up there in 1993. I had NO idea what to expect as we went as a group of 3 in one canoe. We departed from Moose Lake out of Ely and canoed up to the border. It took us 6 hours of paddling, but we didn't care! We stopped at every island and I was in such awe. We did a 3 day loop through the muck and came out the other side reborn...

When I die, sprinkle my ashes in the BWCA!

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Spartan2

04/18/2012 09:11PM

Sorry, boonie. I didn't mean to infer that you were neglecting your wife. ;-) I know some wives don't want to go along; it is just hard for me to understand them.

Whitewater rafting would give me pause, although I think I would have tried it when I was younger. Not now, though. And I suspect it never would have been my "thing".

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luft

04/18/2012 09:50PM

quote Spartan2: "Sorry, boonie. I didn't mean to infer that you were neglecting your wife. ;-) I know some wives don't want to go along; it is just hard for me to understand them.

Whitewater rafting would give me pause, although I think I would have tried it when I was younger. Not now, though. And I suspect it never would have been my "thing"."

And in my family... it is just the reverse. My husband is the one that stays home while the kids and I camp, and hike, and canoe, and fish. He comes on one camping trip a year for his birthday and I wish we could convince him to do more but it just isn't his thing.

I first heard about the BWCA at a camp as a third grader but didn't visit on my own until I was in college.

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Kendra

04/18/2012 10:00PM

Late 80's? No sure the exact year. My brother went to the BW, came back all excited and I made my first trip in 1991.

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apendl

04/18/2012 10:29PM

I'm guessing around 2001 or 2002. Which was shortly after I graduated college in La Crosse, WI. My girlfriend and I (now wife) decided to rent a canoe and go down the Black River in western WI for a day trip. I was hooked. I immediately started researching other places to canoe and it didn't take long to stumble onto the BWs. Took my first trip in '04 and have gone 5 more times since. I try to get there every year, but the group of guys I go with (myself included) like to switch it up once in a while. We've rented a houseboat on Rainy Lake and did an extended trip down the Wisconsin River. I also took a year off from long trips when my daughter was born. This year I'm going to Sydney Lake in northern Ontario in lieu of a BW trip.

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boonie

04/19/2012 09:34PM

quote Spartan2: "Sorry, boonie. I didn't mean to infer that you were neglecting your wife. ;-) I know some wives don't want to go along; it is just hard for me to understand them.

Whitewater rafting would give me pause, although I think I would have tried it when I was younger. Not now, though. And I suspect it never would have been my "thing"."

I didn't really think you were implying that, Spartan2 - I just wanted to make sure everybody knew. I don't understand her either. Actually she takes time off whenever I leave on one of my solo trips - should I be worried about that? ;).

I think you might like WW rafting, Spartan2. You just come on down to WV and we'll raft the Lower New River Gorge - the Grand Canyon of the east. Come down on Bridge Day and they'll let you jump off the New River Gorge Bridge, a spectacular 876-foot plummet ;).

Bridge Day

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mr.barley

04/19/2012 11:18PM

My brother mooseplums asked me to go with him in 1985. A first trip for both of us. Probably wanted to save me from my wild lifestyle and thought a trip to the woods would help. Hahaha

Because I'm wearing one and I just did....

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Spartan2

04/20/2012 06:40AM

quote boonie: "quote Spartan2: "Sorry, boonie. I didn't mean to infer that you were neglecting your wife. ;-) I know some wives don't want to go along; it is just hard for me to understand them.

Whitewater rafting would give me pause, although I think I would have tried it when I was younger. Not now, though. And I suspect it never would have been my "thing"."

I didn't really think you were implying that, Spartan2 - I just wanted to make sure everybody knew. I don't understand her either. Actually she takes time off whenever I leave on one of my solo trips - should I be worried about that? ;).

I think you might like WW rafting, Spartan2. You just come on down to WV and we'll raft the Lower New River Gorge - the Grand Canyon of the east. Come down on Bridge Day and they'll let you jump off the New River Gorge Bridge, a spectacular 876-foot plummet ;).

Bridge Day "

Now THAT looks like fun!!

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shoreviewswede

04/20/2012 08:48AM

quote nojobro: "I grew up in the Cities. I don't remember when I first learned of it. It's like I've just always known."

Ditto.

Be Nice -Swede

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coilcove

04/21/2012 11:08PM

1971 or 72 I was 8 or 9 my parents rented a cabin on lake 1 or the Kawishiwi I'm not sure. I walked into the woods behind the cabin it was like I fell down the rabbit hole the moss and rock cliffs absolutely amazed me. I've been a bw freak ever since. One tid bit. My father hooked what he thought was a log but was able to pull it up slowly, over the side of the canoe came the biggest turtle I have ever seen to this day, outside the one's they used to let kids ride at como zoo. Now I know I was young but I swear this thing was as big around as my saucer snow sled and legs the size of the business end of a Louisville slugger. Thank god it's massive claws broke the line. Scared the crap out of me.

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Captn Tony

04/22/2012 08:19AM

Never had heard of them until I moved to NE. Iowa in the late 80's and a friend kept talking about the Boundary Waters. So in about '92 went up with 3 friends and our 10 year old boys to see what was so special. Have returned at least every other year since.

You're going to HELL and you're going to drag me with ya!! -Gunsmoke

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arctic

04/22/2012 09:23AM

I think I first heard about it in the early 70s when I first joined Boy Scouts.

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MplsKcid

04/29/2012 11:57AM

My First Trip into the BW was in 91 when I was 6. My cousin's amily owned a Cabin on White Iron Lake and i would go with them or 3 weeks every summer. My Uncle would take my cousin and I on 2 night trips at first and progressively longer. After they Moved overeas in the mid 90's I didnt get back up until 2009, When a 2 night trip to their land up north turned into a weeklong BW trip. We figured it would be the best memorial for his father to go do what he had taught us to do years before.We also took a small portion of his fathers ashes to spread up there. It was good.

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Kevlar

04/29/2012 12:26PM

I was in scouts in Wisconsin in the '50s and did a weeklong canoe camping trip in NE Wisconsin, called by the scouts Region 7. The leaders talked about an even better canoe-camping area in northern Minnesota called by the scouts Region 10. I never heard the name Boundary Waters until I started going to college in Minnesota in 1963. First trip, 1975 with a very experienced teacher friend. Love at first sight.

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Frenchy

04/29/2012 05:50PM

My family would spend summer vacation camping in the Ely area. First trip in was with my father in 1964. Didn't return until 1969 scout trip from the scout base on Moose.

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TomT

04/29/2012 08:25PM

I had a subscription to Fishing Facts magazine in the mid - late 70's and read of an article about trophy smallie fishing in Quetico. My first trip to the BW was 1983.

There was also the TV show "The Fishin' Hole" with Jerry McKinnis and he liked to go there.

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BearBrown

04/30/2012 04:12AM

2003 in high school before my first trip. Amazing discovery.

I didnt know anything about canoeing, camping or the boundary waters then. We learned out the hard way what a portage yoke is by not having them on our borrowed ultra heavy almuinum canoes. Still made it from sawbill to cherokee and back as rookies with crappy gear, lack of experience and no yokes though!

Richard "Bear" Brown----- "I would rather give someone one photograph they can't live without than one hundred they can live with." anonymous

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sunnybear09

04/30/2012 01:22PM

In 1963 when our Explorer Post adviser, Mr. Rock, suggested a canoe trip right after school ended in June '64, and we spent the winter getting ready, selling lawn supplies door to door for spring delivery to pay for it, took a train to Duluth from NJ, was met there by a van from Bill Rom's Canoe Country Outfitters, and had one of the best times of my life. The memories are still fresh! Wish I still had the map from that trip--I know we were on Knife from Moose, but not sure what other lakes we paddled. I still tell stories from that trip!

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ryebread26

04/30/2012 06:29PM

boyscouts in 98 I think

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maxxbhp

05/02/2012 08:59PM

In about '80 I was way into fishing, nothing to do so I looked for some kinda outdoor show on TV. I found something about "Boundary Waters/Quetico" with Glen Lau. I also did a lot of river canoeing at that time, so the concept totally overwhelmed me. I never forgot it, took me 30 years but I made it.

"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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SINCE 1975

Guest Paddler

05/04/2012 08:11PM

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SINCE1975

05/04/2012 08:30PM

read a article in the july 1967 outdoor life that grabbed me and just wouldn't let go. finally made my first trip in june of 1975. unlike me the bwca never gets old!

"I am happiest here"

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ArrowheadPaddler

05/05/2012 06:04AM

Firtst hazy memories of the Boundary Waters were when I was in pre-school and my dad would take trips with his friends there. What I pictured in my head was pretty close to the truth. I imagined pine filled campsites, late night campfires and lots of fish. When my dad was on the BWCA trips, my mom would always do something fun with us kids, so I wasn't too upset we were left at home. It wasn't long before he started taking us with as well.

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Lemieux

05/05/2012 09:09AM

sometime in the early 80's and my first trip was either 85 or 86

Pack Lite!

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outdooraddict

05/05/2012 09:54AM

I've known about it for a while, didnt make it up there until last year. going to make a point of going on a trip or two every year.

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Merganser

05/05/2012 10:42AM

quote mr.barley: "My brother mooseplums asked me to go with him in 1985. A first trip for both of us. Probably wanted to save me from my wild lifestyle and thought a trip to the woods would help. Hahaha"

Now that is funny...

For me it would have been mid-late 80's. My younger brother and a few of his buddies were making trips then. I was a pretty committed car camper at the time and don't think I'd ever even been in a canoe. Not sure I even quite understood how canoes were involved in the whole thing. Seemed like a lot of work to go camping.

It wasn't till years later when some of my wife's friends invited us on a trip that I got the picture (and saw pictures for that matter). That trip never panned out but it got us started.

"That sort of thing is my bag baby."

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