Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Reports :: Trip Report - Single mother, 6-year old, 5-year old Lake One Trip - HUGE success!
|
Author | Message Text | ||
lundojam |
|
||
fitgers1 |
Thanks for the report! |
||
Thwarted |
|
||
dicecupmaker |
|
||
Dennisal |
As far as the mosquitos/bugs, I have heard others on this site say they have taken screened in tents or patios of some sort to get away from the bugs. Just an idea. |
||
Sara ara |
Also on this trip is an 80 year old friend who traveled in the Amazon of Ecuador last November. We're calling it the 8 to 80 trip. We've planned a pretty easy trip with base camp and day trips. Thanks for the great suggestions for amusing the littlest one on our trip. And for all the bug management posts in the comments. S |
||
bottomtothetap |
Again, congrats. on your fun trip. I hope you enjoyed being out their with your kids as much as I did with mine. |
||
Spartan2 |
|
||
paddlefamily |
|
||
Sandman2009 |
|
||
ECpizza |
For mosquitos, give up on any and all holistic solutions. Remember, the same stuff that keeps away skeeters repels ticks as well. However, I no longer use deet either. Start by treating clothes with permethrin. Nasty stuff wet. Harmless to humans when dry. Dog flea collars use it, but it is poisonous to cats. It kills ticks and mosquitos. If you've bought a "mosquito repellent" shirt, that is what is used. I treat my wilderness clothes every 2 or 3 trips. Instead of deet, look for picaridin. Cutter Advance and Cutter Skinsations are brand names it is sold under. Check the label to be sure. Picaridin ( hope i'm spelling it right) is not oily. It does not sting like deet. It will not melt away plastic and nylon like deet. In my experience, I believe it is more effective in the BWCA than deet. I've used it on the Border Route in the BWCA and on the Superior Hiking Trail. Either the mosquitos were very light or it really works great. For bites (i don't know about children, but for adults...) forget the cremes and lotions. Take a benedryl. The cremes have the same active ingredient as the pill, and in fact you should not use both at the same time. Mosquitos and sand flies affect me so much I asked my doctor and he told me about the pill vs the creme. Several trips later I can tell you it has been a lifesaver. Bravo to you for comtinuing the tradition. It seems odd to think about with 5 and 6 year olds, But someday, camping and the BWCA may be your way to reconnect with your kids. You obviously found some magic. |
||
Spartan2 |
Sounds like the kids had a great time. That is terrific! Permethrin is an excellent idea for bug problems. Use it on clothing before the trip, of course. But it works best wearing long sleeves, long pants, and keeping clothes ON--something little kids who are swimming won't be doing! :-( Great for protection when hiking through the woods, not too helpful when swimming and playing on the beach in shorts or a bathing suit. From what I have heard, the mosquitoes were unusually bad this year, so perhaps another time you wouldn't have so many bites. You got lots of rain. Both you and the kids seem to have handled that situation really well, too. Good for you! |
||
Portageanimal |
|
||
BWCanoeBoy |
I'm writing to let you know how much I enjoyed your trip report and admire you're resolve to introduce your kids to the BWCA. Coincidentally, my first trip, as a single father, with two of my 3 boys, started at Lake One, in 1999. My kids were a little older than yours but we had 3 days of rain, spent in the tent reading Harry Potter. We also had a lot of adventure and my kids have developed a life long love of wilderness, camping and adventure. As for the mosquitoes, they tend to peak in early July and by August tend only be a problem around sunset. We use mosquito head nets during that time. There are also some DEET creams that are more pleasant than the sprays. Warm regards... Alan |
||
bhouse46 |
It is really cool you bond with your kids, we all know too many parents who are to busy to share the best life has to offer. |
||
tanyabindernagel168 |
Trip Name: Single mother, 6-year old, 5-year old Lake One Trip - HUGE success!. Entry Point: 30 Click Here to View Trip Report |
||
OneMatch |
That seems to be the bottom line, here. Big congratulations for taking this on and giving your kids a memory of a lifetime! |
||
Mort |
mosquitoes/bugs. Might be worth a try. |
||
Exo |
|
||
Papa09 |
|
||
IndyElden |
|
||
PINETREE |
|
||
luft |
A tip for next time... take 2-3 of larger Sea to Summit dry bags and fill them with water to put in the canoe with you and the kids when you are paddling without gear. It will help the canoe sit lower in the water and cut down on some of the weathercocking in the wind. You can empty them at portages and then fill them up again at the end of the portage at the next lake. They are very light weight don't take up much room when they are empty. Also, I have mosquito repellant wipes that I use around town because they are easy to have in my purse and glove compartment when I need them. I find that my kids don't seem to mind the wipes as much as the spray because they don't get any over spray in their mouth/eyes, etc. I usually bring the spray bug repellant to the BWCA because there is less garbage but the wipes may be a solution for your kids. You and your kids are making memories that will last a lifetime. I bet you are already planning for next year's trip! |
||
DrBobDg |
I second the suggestion about the Thermocell...I won't go on a trip without it. where it would work really nice is to put it by the tent door to keep the skeeters away when you are coming and going through the door. don't know how you became a single mom and it is none of my business....but if your ex thought the grass was greener on the other side...he made a big mistake. |
||
wetcanoedog |
|
||
Mocha |
|
||
ducks |
|
||
SevenofNine |
Some advice for next time. Buy a tarp (cheap on if you have to or a Kondos or CCS if you have the money, 10'x12' works fine) to hang up for when it rains. You get to be outside and enjoy the rain. For bugs I recommend buying the OFF brand FamilyCare spray. I believe it has talcum powder in it so it isn't sticky on the skin. Also, OFF sells Clip On mosquito repellants you wear on your belt so everyone can have a repellant on them. OFF |
||
nofish |
Couple other thoughts: Bugs: Look into thermacells. They are small devices that heat up a chemical pad that mosquitoes don't like. You can set it out on a log at camp and it will keep mosquitoes a good distance away. You could also look for a sun screen/mosquito repellant in one type product. The kids might be more accepting of sun screen. Rain: A trap is a nice thing to have as it gives you more dry space to hang out in but they aren't neccessary if you are content hanging out in the tent. The real advantage in a tarp is you have a dry spot to cook in. Food: Sometimes quick and easy is the best route. Kids are usually content with the simple stuff so it makes sense to make it easy on yourself when possible. You also have the advantage of everything tasting better when eating it in the BWCA. |
||
RC |
|
||
TomP |
|
||
Ho Ho |
I think it's great that you took your kids on a trip. Sounds like a fun trip too! In terms of mosquitos, keep in mind that they have been especially bad this year, and the week you were up here was particularly warm and humid - just the kind of weather that the skeeters thrive in. So you encountered some of the worst conditions. (It was actually a little worse a couple weeks earlier.) The weather since that huge storm your last night has been much cooler and drier, and while there are still bugs, they are already much better than last week. For future trips, you might try going a little later in the summer if your schedule allows. Mosquitos often thin out in August. It's no guarantee, but it makes the likelihood of fewer mosquitos much higher. Even if you come in July again, most years you won't have mosquitos as bad as this year. They are much more tolerable when they are only out at certain times or a few places. |
||
paddler2 |
|
||
boonie |
I've always taken a tarp so I don't have to be cooped up in the tent all day when it rains. |
||
amariette |
quote PINETREE: "I think you deserve the MOM of the Year award. Way to go." +1!! We are preparing for our first trip with the kids next summer (they will be 10 and 6 by then). They have had this summer to practice walking with their packs, packing their own stuff, and helping with the small tasks around camp. They are such awesome little campers, and I cant wait for them to have this experience. Thank you for posting your story. It has given me some great insight and things to consider. |
||
pswith5 |
|