Does anyone else notice that alot of folks are in a big hurry these days? Even some of the questions in the forums are, " I want to take a 3 day trip and get away from the crowds any Ideas?" In my opinion, It takes 3 days just TO relax! I realize that many (myself included) have only a few precious vacation days, but to truly enjoy nature, wind down from our hectic lives, and decompress, you need to spend at least a week.Or 2!  :) So throw your watch away,spend a whole day hammocking,or reading, or fishing or whatever. You don't have to do anything, just sit and watch the day go by. You don't need the fastest boat, or the best equipment. Just go-relax-and let the grin come. And please wave at the guy in the old white Bell solo, go on by, I don't mind.  :)

I'm SO with you on this, Fishpig!  I have always said that no trip less than six days is worth taking.  If you have rainy or windy weather that lasts for three days, and you only have a three day trip, that is your entire trip and it is all you remember!  If you have bad weather for three or four days and your trip is eight or ten, it is just a small component of a wonderful experience!

It took us about five canoe trips to begin planning in a layover day or two.  I enjoyed every single trip, even the ones when we moved every day, but I enjoyed the ones more when there were days for relaxing and unwinding and just "being there".

Now that we are older, we probably "need" the layover days, but even when we didn't, we sure did enjoy them.

It never fails too amuse/bewilder me this idea that you can decompress and really relax on a 3-4 day vacation.
 Some time off is better than none, but somewhere along the way, we've allowed ourselves too buy into the notion, that we need to be on call/reachable 24/7 all year.
 I remember when computers were touted as the device that would free us for more leisure/family time. Yes, they have made some things easier, but they've also failed too cut our work time down, in fact most people I know are working more, not less.
 The media/cell phone/Blackberry people have enabled/convinced us that WE are so important, NO one else can do our job even for a few precious vacation weeks every year.
 Statistics say we as Americans are taking less vacation time than ever, shorter vacations, and in many instances, NO vacation at all!
 Between the fear of someone taking our job, and the ego driven idea that were the only one that can do it right, we've turned into a stressed out, unhealthy society, with our families and relationships suffering as a result.
 I'm still waiting for the computer Kirk had on the Enterprise ;)
The Transporter wouldn't be bad either!

   

"When one finally arrives at the point where schedules are forgotten, and becomes immersed in ancient rhythms, one begins to live."

Sigurd F. Olson





starwatcher

YAH Sigurd gots it....but when all you have is a three days to hear the black throated greens sing as the blue fox spins that is what you have better than no days and just enough to remember the many trips of yester-year.  ;)

Absolutely correct Marlin, Heck 1 day is better than none. I just wish everyone could get to the state of relaxation one gets after 10 days in the bush. It's total. Your ears stop ringing, they become acute, your vision is enhanced, your sense of smell is sharper,(sometimes not a good thing!). You feel strong, your posture improves, even a PBJ tastes better. That nip of Brandy somehow seems like the bestnip you've ever had. You finally understand what Thoreau meant "I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute." I may take some abuse from folks who don't understand this little "hobby" I have, I can't explain why I crave the solitute, I just do. I think it's called LIVING! ;)

Good point.  The longest I have been able to spend has only been nine days.  At the end of 9 days,I am not ready to come out, but my partner needs to leave.  When you spend at least a day packing, a day travelling and day travelling back, that's already three days.  So the longer you stay the better the return on your investment.

I think the hurry part is just part of being young.  When I was young, the hunt was about shooting something and camping about catching fish.  NowI enjoy the process more and take more time to relax.  For example, I have learned to fish by my campsite and not the other side of the lake.

But if putting in the miles and portages is what your trip is all about, who am I to say you should slow down.  If you enjoy what you are doing, go for it.

My goal is to spend a month in Quietico from mid May to mid June.  Anyone else game for that.

Westwood

Westwood wrote on May 20^th, 2009 at 10:22pm:

Good point.  The longest I have been able to spend has only been nine days.  At the end of 9 days,I am not ready to come out, but my partner needs to leave.  When you spend at least a day packing, a day travelling and day travelling back, that's already three days.  So the longer you stay the better the return on your investment. My goal is to spend a month in Quietico from mid May to mid June.  Anyone else game for that. Westwood

Well. it may be hard for some to belive, but many have come to visit and now never leave.....some don't need days to decompress or get into ancient rhythms.......some are ...........well....... are aware and always there.... :)

It usually takes me about three days out before I really relax; then we are set up for base camp and don't have any schedule to get anywhere.  I appreciate canoe country for the lack of modemn communications and when I can get away from the hectic pace and stress of work.  I know when I'm there when you can't remember what day of the week it is.

starwatcher

I never know what day of the week it is when we are out there.  Never even think about it.  I keep a journal and from the beginning it is "day one", "day two" etc. and no mention of days of the week.  We do use a watch, mainly because of the diabetes and insulin and need to do the regular blood sugar checks, but time is very much unimportant otherwise.  Only for food and regular mealtimes.

We were out for 22 days once and I really thought that would satisfy me.  I was weepy all the way across the last portage, and we spent an extra couple hours on Poplar Lake just paddling around at the end of the trip because we weren't really ready to come in yet.  Still didn't want the trip to end!

Have considered, as Riversend suggests, making the move.  But for our situation it doesn't seem to work now.  We probably won't ever be able to do that.  But I wouldn't discourage anyone else from doing so.

Nice thoughts here. My first trip we moved every day. Last time for that. These days the schedule is usually travel a day, stay a day. If the "stay a day" turns out great, we stay two days. And I take a nap after lunch every day.

Yeah, I carry a watch. But I lost mine several years ago and did not seem to be inconvenienced much by it. We came out on the right day. And I could usually tell when it was time to eat, time to go to bed, time to get up.

Indeed, some of my favorite times have been when I got up before anyone else and sat by the lake with a cup of coffee. Wilderness is a place where you can be alone without being lonely.

Tim

I always like to wake up to the fragrance of bacon frying for breakfast.  ;)  Just joking!!!  As soon as it's light out, I'm the first one up, make the fire and brew the first pot of coffee.  Nothing like watching the sun come up, relaxing by the lake shore, drinking hot coffee on a cool, sunny morning.

starwatcher

I would love to live next to the BWCA it is my dream. However my responsiblities as a husband and a father of three come first. 4 weeks a year is a nice teaser. Someday........I am game for a month, check out bushwackers jamboree 2010 in another forum. lots of characters there, I wonder who'll walk the walk? Anyways, I appreciate all the feedback on this topic, I'm not judging anyone to each there own. I know my life is hectic, I need as much time tripping as I can get. Slowing down the pace is essiential to my well being, Thanx for letting me vent. :)

We all need to vent a little. For me, part of sitting by the edge of the lake alone is venting.

When I was a kid I heard a story, said to be an Indian tale. About the fox and the fleas. When the fleas got bad, the fox picked up a stick. Then the fox waded into a shallow stream. The fleas on the fox's legs ran up to the torso. Then the fox sat down. And the fleas toward the fox's rump hied to the head. Gradually, the fox submerged and the only dry spot left was the stick. And the fleas went to the stick. Then the fox let the stick float down the stream.

When I'm alone on the bank of the lake, I can let my fleas float away.

Tim
s  

;D

I'm glad you are back, Tim.  I have missed you.   :)

Spartan 2, thanks for your help.

Fishpig---I here what ya saying--we do seem to be alot more rushed these days and with the internet, cell phones, now satellite phones it is harder to get disconnected and just be relaxed with only your own thoughts. Heck I resisted a cell phone completely until a couple of years ago for just that reason.

But we all go up to canoe country for different reasons and goals and different responsibilities. For me my most memorable trip was last year when my wife and I spent 8 days/7 nights in Quetico. We ended up moving every single day, first time we had to make camp on 7 separate lakes. Wasn't what we had planned, but the trip sort of evolved into that and like I said it was our best trip yet (of course I seem to say that after every trip  ;) ) To some that may not sound like a relaxing trip, but I can assure I have never been so refreshed after a trip.

For us having some physical challenges are part of what makes a trip rewarding. As soon as I hit the first long portage the rest of the world and worries melt away--my only goal in life at that moment is "making it across this portage" . In my daily world I don't have this luxury. I always have to multi-task, juggle projects and be thinking ahead, when a task is completed there is no time bask in the glory of a job well done--it is on to the next task. Don't get me wrong--I like my job--but getting up north and spending even a a couple days of just having 3 basic  tasks I normally take for granted---"what am I going to eat", "where am I going to sleep", and "where am I going to go today" is quite liberating whether it is 3 days or 3 weeks.

I am not knocking your trip style--but laying in a hammock all day is not relaxing to me. I just don't enjoy it--sounds like a back ache to me. My body feels better when it is moving--- I like physical activity, paddling, portaging, fishing, hiking up a cliff and enjoying a view of the entire lake while eating lunch, searching for Pictographs etc... are what relaxes me. I'll take a nap or swim when I want but the laying around part is a very small part of a trip fun for me.

I am probably not verbalizing this well, but we don't really know what someone is thinking when they post "I have 3 days, where can I get to away form the crowds" maybe that is exactly what they need in their in life, maybe not.....

We are all different, there are many ways to enjoy life, trips---one way is not better than another, they are just different. I understand you were not trying to say that one way is better than another--I am just playing devils advocate and offering an alternative view. For the most part I agree with your basic point.


Tim

To each their own, My point is that untill a person is truly decompressed from the modern world you're truly not living. I work on a 110 door loading dock making sure everyone gets the freight they ordered. I get enough exersize!!!I just need to chill. If you sit at a desk all day maybe running from lake to lake is your thing. If you slow down physically and mentally I gaurantee you'll appreciate  all the extra wildlife you'll see. Now that you can't argue with. 8-)Life is short enjoy it!! Paddling fast slow it doesn't matter just do it. Again if you see a guy in an old Almond color bell solo with walnut trim and it looks brand new (with the QJ picto on the bow) wave! :) Go on by, he won't mind. ;) Don't laugh at his flea collar ;D

It takes me at least three days to de-compress as well.  I think this has been discussed previously and was agreed upon by the regulars to the wild.   After three days... the world drops away, except for the woods that is. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

3 days to decompress? You guys/gals gotta learn how to relax and let things go  ;) To me that seems like an awfully long time to take to let the outside world go, but that's just me. Oh well, maybe I am just lucky---a gift from my parents--more likely my father than my mother  ;D

My decompression begins the second I get in the car to head north.


Tim

You mean we all go the same place, do essentially the same things there yet we approach it differently? Imagine that.

My one constant over the years was the day's travel to the put-in and another to get home so ~ 10 nights has always been a minimum trip length although I'll make an exception when my wife comes with but I reserve the right to grumble as I make repairs and maintenance prior to proper storage.

The feeling that it takes a few days to decompress is one I'm familiar with but lately I'm there after the third stroke and three days later is about the time I slow down and the place opens up - allowing me to really get into it. It's hard to describe but it's like after decompression comes expansion. Thinking back, I used to do a group trip and a solo for a half dozen years and then two solos for another half dozen or so. The second trip was always better, easier, even when more physically demanding, the second trip of the year certainly required a shorter acclimation period.

I'd much rather stock up on wood so I can sit and stare at the fire so I've never even considered taking a book. Traveling all day every day is as unappealing to me as fishing all day every day.

I guess over the years I've given up trying to force my desires on a trip. Basically I prepare to avoid the worst, make myself comfortable, and moreover, available for whatever presents itself. Favorite memories usually start as surprises, being able to repeat some of them at times is just great luck - expecting to repeat them - a waste of opportunity time. I can read, fish, play games, swim, bond... at home and while I'll concede some things are necessarily challenging, if I know of an easier way to get where I wanna be... I'll take it every time.


solotripper wrote on May 19^th, 2009 at 11:15pm:

... The Transporter wouldn't be bad either!

Somehow that would probably loose it's appeal after a time. Take away the effort (participation) and you diminish the satisfaction. If you don't believe me, ask any of the 600+ duffer(s) in the member list while you still can. You can learn a lot by watching a fox.

Would like to clarify.  I never said that I had all of the answers (or if I did, I shouldn't have.)  Just said what is right for us.  We don't base camp, never have.  A layover day comes after a day of traveling and portaging, so we have had the experience of travel, too.  When we were in good health we traveled hard and made the miles.  And loved it.

I am not putting down anyone who takes a short trip, or can decompress more quickly than I.  And if you want to be super-active for your entire canoe country adventure--good for you!  It just doesn't work for me.  Time to listen to the forest, look for the small creatures, photograph while exploring in the woods or poking around along the shoreline; I find that time envigorating and renewing.  I never said anyone else had to feel that way.

Yes, and looking at the fire, too. . . .

We don't have the luxury of two trips a year, so we have to get it all in one.  If we are lucky.  And this year it won't be until August.  If we are lucky.  Have fun, you guys!

Quote from solotripper on 05/19/09 at 19:15:01:
... The Transporter wouldn't be bad either!
Somehow that would probably loose it's appeal after a time. Take away the effort (participation) and you diminish the satisfaction. If you don't believe me, ask any of the 600+ duffer(s) in the member list while you still can. You can learn a lot by watching a fox.

I was thinking more on the lines of getting you to the Q/BWCA ;D
For those of us that have significant travel time, there and back, the extra time in the park would really be nice.
I agree, the effort once there, paddling and portaging, is a big part of the experience. As much as I enjoy the scenery on the drive up, I'd trade it for the extra time in the park without hesitation ;)

Here's how it works for me.

There is the prep from home for the trip, interruptions from neighbors fascinated by the concept...talk talk talk... I'm thinking "Would you please shut up and go away!!! I'll be back in a few weeks and we can talk then".

Then there is the drive and the visits with friends up north before putting in along with last minute items... as maybe an out of state fishing license.

Then there is the morning of the put in, and getting beyond the crowds.  My mind is still rushing just like it does every day.  As the first two three days steal by... no more political views, no more this or that celebrity had an affair, no more "Let's impeach the president" no more this client needs me to do this, or I need to do that to insure the happy continuation of this or that relationship.  No more gotta pay the mortgage today...Everything drops away.  I get the news I need from the sky, the wind and the waves.

I've left home and returned to find loved ones had died that were healthy upon departure.  I've left to find we are in the midst of some new battle or crisis upon returning.  But while I was gone... that was all gone, out of sight, out of mind... yet it takes me a few days to get there.  A few days for the voices of everyday to be silenced and for my mind to become still like the water on a windless evening.  Only then is my mind and soul open to the zen of the north.  Only then.

k

I'm still liking that fox and fleas thing a lot. Timing is everything. Beyond the innie-outie and yak vs canoe paddle... very specific - nuts and bolts type discussions is - what turns your crank (or not) and why.

To put my own musings in perspective, there is a guy who posts here once in a while who's name I instantly recognize. I believe they typically basecamp and have been known to lug in barrels of beer (my hero) on occasion. Then there's another, who I've referred to as Mr. Wonderlust at least once or twice that I know a bit better and who basically likes to challenge himself by putting miles behind him. While there are some aspects of both types of trips that appeal to me, either would be my last trip if they were my first. Yet, I have no doubt what they do works for them.

What started us doing the two trips a year thing was wives and girlfriends wanting to come with. Hmmmmm, so we did recon trips in spring on the exact same routes for the group trips we'd be doing that summer. The friend I did those with and I had gotten our tails handed to us more than once before so not only was it insurance, it was a good excuse to vacate and recreate. Those group trips were always great trips with decent fallback options. We'd make educated guesses at what changes different weather conditions and more traffic etc. might affect and make first choice decisions in advance. Not only did it work out well, it was a great learning experience. Life eventually changed and messed up my two trip per year deal for a while now - and I really miss 'em. A few more single trip years to go... and then who knows?

In any case, I'm here to tell you that one of the main reasons I feel I'm able to get into a trip when I hit the water is in large part because I participate here on a regular basis. Reading is one thing and doing is another. Participation here is like exercising before a trip. (Ya, like I'm going to waste my time doing that... Muscles have memory too ya know).

Is it more mental or physical? Either way, cramming is bad form and IF the duffers look at QJ as a refresher course... nah, I seriously doubt that.

This topic was started because I wanted to make sure folks appreciate just how special the BWCA is.  I didn't mean the judge anyone. If putting in the miles is your thing- by all means knock yourself out. If you like to base camp, again right hook. I personally like to solo. If you think thats strange thats ok, I am strange. My wife likes to solo as well. She's REALLY strange!! If you can decomprss in a day, god bless you. If you just like to stir the pot, god bless you especially.

Sitting behind a desk all day, leaving the office and having my phone with me so I am available by email or voicemail 24/7, and living a days flight then drive to get to the true wilderness impacts my point of view.

I visit QJ on a daily basis. I use others trip reports, questions, discussions as an escape if only for a few minutes. I "decompress" when I pour over maps ( I can see the campsites, hear the loons, enjoy the fight of the fish) and escape simply by reading the posts. Reading several of the books recommended on the site serves to do the same thing. While these are very temporary and fleeting "get-aways", they serve to keep me balanced and in a proper mind set to deal with daily realities.

As for a trip into the park, it wouldn't matter to me if I put in, rounded the first point of land and set camp for as many days as I had or paddled for the entire trip stopping only to eat, portage, and sleep. The wilderness is truly a place to be experienced, whatever that means to you. We are all truly fortunate to be able to experience everything the wilderness has to offer. Enjoy it in any/every way you can.

J

YIPPIE! WHAT EVA TURNS YA CRANK ;)

I started thinking about this thread a little more, maybe the reason I need a few days just to relax is I'm Stressed to the max! Drag a 53 footer around Minneapolis for 8 or 10 hours, making deliveries and pick-ups, then work the dock for 2-4 hours Mon-Fri. 3 kids, wife's honeydo lists, dog, cat ,bills, mow, plow, garden, commute an hour one way.On and On and ON I go, when will his heart stop nobody knows. Sweet jesus I need a month off!!!!!!! You're right J cheif, I can (and have) come to the first site, after the first portage, and just set up. (West Pike) 4 weeks vacation ths year, I'm using it all in 1 shot.

Four weeks, I'd hit Woodland or the Far North......maybe the bloodvien.....man i got to get to work! 8-)

I have thought about wcp have you been there Marlin?
PM me. I gotta get to bed.

4 weeks all in one shot... There is plenty of room in Q to spend the whole time there and not cross your path once.

Last year my wife and I did a 30 day trip for our 3oth anniversary.
We left out of Beaverhouse and did a meandering loop all over the park.

I started with a whole trip plan - where we would go, stay, layover, etc.
Typical guy thing. We made it to the middle of Cirrus our first day and said, Wow we have 30 days in the park, where do we go from here.
We ended up decompressing for 3 nights at that campsite. Then we headed for Pickerel and when we got there, we said what's the rush, we have 30 days to see the park. After another layover day, I said, let's throw out the plan and just take what comes. It took me 5 days to get to that point. We ended up traveling about 1/2 the time. We ended up camping in 15 different spots in 30 days. It was a wonderful trip with a
wonderful mix of how we spent our time traveling and resting and just taking it all in. If we wouldn't have had kids, work, other responsibilities, ect. to contend with, we could have just kept on going. We hated to come home. It was amazing how my perspective changed over the 30 days, from hurry up and lets get there, to, we're here, what's the rush.

Now my problem is that our normal 2 week trip just doesn't seem long enough. I just have to figure out how to do a month every year.
GeneM

I really admire that change in attitude.
I came into paddling from years of backpack trips.
We always ended up biting off more than we could chew (almost), and very rarely stopped too take in the sights.
It was a quick look and on down the trail, with a set amount of miles, so we could make our pickup deadline.
When we started tripping, we did the same thing, but the others couldn't handle the physical part and so when I went solo, I was still pushing hard everyday.
 When I found QJ, I would read others trip reports about areas that I had been, but really never SAW :-[
I blew by, missing great campsites, fishing spots and picture opportunities, I never knew were there.
I can and will go hard through a lesser area, but now when I hit a beautiful area, I want too spend some time and really see it, not just as another spot on the map.
Someday I'll do a 30 day trip, and I'll do as you did, just sort of meander and take it all in ;D
Of course it will probably ruin me for shorter trips like it did you, but I'm willing too chance it ;)

I've been in a hurry my entire life, and it's served me well, mostly.  But when I'm in the QP, or the WCP, after a few days time slows down.  It's a great feeling.  I actually breath slower, think slower, and clearer.  

Last year, the last night of a tough 8-day trip, my buddies were talking about the cold beer, the greasy cheeseburger, the soft bed waiting them.  They asked me what I looked forward to.  With all honesty I told them I didn't want to go back.  I was ready to stay another week, two?  In short, I was in my groove...the bugs, the sore muscles, etc, -- the "hardships" of the trip -- all had become just background noise.  I paid no attention to any of it.  I was totally into that country, and felt a part of it.  

I've never stayed in for 30 days or even close to it, but I will soon.  The country defines me!  

prouboy

I have thought about wcp have you been there Marlin?
PM me. I gotta get to bed.

Yep, and I want to go back when the boy is of age.....and we have done the BW in total