As to the effect of traveling solo for the last few years with a 14 pound silent dog along, most folks I see are curious as to what motivates me to do such.  At times I've felt like a tv show in the woods near the intial put in... folks asking "You're out here with your vicious watch dog we see..." usualy followed by a good laugh.

Once a couple days or more travel time back in the woods, I've noted the conversation becomes much better and more meaningful, with others having more quirks in common with those that have been there before.

I'm all for a small amount of conversation after several days with none.  I've had more than a few invite me to their site for conversation, to find shelter from a coming storm, etc.  However this normaly happens after a few days back..rather than near the initial put in or final put out, though it did happen once on a day trip on lake one.  Perhaps that was probably due to the tv syndrome and my small silent dog again.

As Old Salt perhaps refered to...I know some are now taking their pink flamingos along for a welcome mat these days to inform other QJ'rs...here I am.

k