Old_Salt,

Wish I could have made Copia this year but I had to attend my nieces wedding in Hopkinsville, KY. Missed visiting with fellow QJ'ers over a few beers.

I surely would meet up with QJ'ers on Kawnipi. It is one of my favorite lakes and always camp in McKenzie Bay when we go.  I usually go to Quetico the last week of June and over the 4th of July. I was thinking of going into Quetico from the north next year as I have never entered from this direction before.  Will have to see. Have a lot on my wish canoe/fishing list like  WCPP, NW Territories ....someday...

Marten, First let me say it was a pleasure to meet you. You're as easy to talk to as you are to read, please keep writing.

About your speakers and shows comment. You might try the WCS in Toronto,,each year in early Feb. Myccr site should give you plenty of info. You'll get a good feel of what arctic tripping is like compared to WCPP. Nothing for sale, just good speakers and the audience has heard and seen many shows too.

That goes for others interested or curious about arctic tripping, Jimbo etc.

I know the feeling.... Geezerhood has its challenges.

prouboy

I did not do a tally to see what the mix was. Part of my problem is that I have seen too many of the same speakers too many times. They are excellent presenters and draw the crowds. I have just been around too long. Then there are always the pleasant surprises. I went to see the Hudson Bay bound girls. The computer quit, the replacement made a jumble of their pictures but they grabbed the guitar and did a great job in the face of the adversity.

Sorry I missed the lunch this year. 

I'll be at Midwest Mountaineering's Outdoor Adventure Expo this year,

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

and would be happy to tip a pint with any QJr that comes my way. 

I am beginning to think that while their facility isn't as nice as Canoecopia's, the Midwest's focus is more on wilderness canoeing.  I also like the entrance fee -- FREE. 

I'm curious if any of you thought the 'copia event this year continued the trend (IMO) toward the world of kayaks, or was that just my impression from the '11 copia event?


prouboy

Many thanks to Scott and Darrel for getting the lunch & dinner arranged.  As usual, it is the highlight of the trip.  Unfortunately, the time is too short and I don't get to spend half the time with many of the people at events as I would like.  (I simply have to start doing a better job of circulating.)

Again, thanks to all that made this another wonderful experience and HAPPY PADDLING on all of your trips this adventure season!

dd

I'll echo all of the thoughts on the gatherings as well. It indeed is the highlight of the weekend to re-connect (and make new connections!)

Glad everyone made it home safe and sound. We look forward to having you all back in our fair city in a year! (Except dd, who will be making the down-under trek. I am HIGHLY envious of you and the Spartans for making one of my bucket list trips!)

And I like your idea, O_S! I had a great time on one of those island sites on McKenzie Bay several years ago, and would gladly pass through there again!

Thanks again to everyone for their participation this year!

Scott

Great seeing everyone Sat evening. Scott & Darrel, thanks for making the arrangements. It was nice meeting several new faces.

S2, NZ is on our bucket list. Hope to hear more.

Like Snowdog, I probably would not come over, unless we have the lunch and dinner. Visiting with old friends, and making a few new ones is the highlight for me. I really enjoy visiting with everyone. Kudos to Darrel and Scott for organizing this. A thought for the future is to push all the tables into a large rectangle so that we are all sitting together.

One idea that Snowdog and I discussed on the way home was the possibility of organizing a 'rendevous' in a future year on Kawnipi, where those who wish too, could meet on McKenzie bay for a night or two. Since many loops run through there, from a variety of entry points, it could be very doable. Any thoughts? Don't confuse this with the fishing contest thread...

Spartan2, how jealous I am!  What a lifetime trip.  I hope some pics will be seen.  You have guts to take on that flight.  I'm deathly afraid of flying and anything over an hour is almost undoable.