Seems like a good time for a new thread as the old one's quite deep
& what a shot today to start with!

Thanks & Beautiful work db.  If I could shoot like that I'd never get any fishing done!   ;)

-Tom

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Great shot!
When it was loading, for a minute, I "thought" it was a picture of a geyser framed against the summer sky ;D  Another great "filler" pic!

Evening fire-awesome! Not a skeeter in sight...

evening fire shot is intriguing

That fire is obviously raging dangerously out of control.  I'm going to report it to the forest service and then go whine on every canoe-camping website I can find when the Forest Service ignores me!  :P

Snow_Dog wrote on Jun 20^th, 2009 at 11:22am:

That fire is obviously raging dangerously out of control.  I'm going to report it to the forest service and then go whine on every canoe-camping website I can find when the Forest Service ignores me!  :P

I'm with you on this one snowdog.....why just last week while camping in the Kawishiwi Triangle, the inconsiderate campers on the campsite across the lake from me insisted on popping jiffy pop popcorn all thru the night and day :( the noise was A-T-ROACH-US  >:( no need to say I was shaking and baking in my boots the whole time. I say popcorn and the noise created by careless poppers have no place in MY wilderness  the only poppin permitted in my camp is Mary Poppins ;D....."every day's a holiday with Mary, no wonder it's Mary that we  LOVE "  :-*  [smiley=thumbup.gif].....every body join in and SING ALONG........softly naaaaaa, make it LOUD 8-)  ;)

oh yeah, the photo......so nice I took starwatchers previous advice to me and mailed myself one. Now where should I hang it  :question [smiley=dankk2.gif]

IF that photo doesn't convey too the uninitiated why WE love the canoe country, nothing will!

Great shot DB.  You obviously have more talents than website design!

prouboy

Very NICE. I like the stars in the background. I just got back from Quetico today, I couldn't stay up late enough to even see stars...but then I turned in by 11:30.

ok db, you're making us look bad....this is the second of your last 4-5 that I like....nice foul, freaky, blue mood.  Makes me wonder what's coming out of the mist!

Another great shot- the whole series has been excellent.

The last few photos are extremely nice.  I don't know if you'll share, but I have to ask about the fire with the stars photo.  Two exposures?  I can't figure any other way to get the stars and the fire.  However it was done, congrats on a really great shot.

Move over Brandenberg.

db, the past few photos have been incredible... keeps adding to the excitement for the trip to come. Ever consider a photo documentary of the park(s)?

J

Wow - this has been a jaw-dropping set of shots.  Thanks db.

The morning mist and reflection on the water are superb!

Thanks, I'm glad (tickled ;) ) people are liking my shots - especially the weirder ones that seem a stretch.... I don't POD my own shots very often but they never fail to take me back so I'm always glad when I do.

one_paddle_short - that's a very knowledgeable question - absolutely positively no problem sharing stuff like that if I can put it into words. If it were purposefully planned before hand it would have been planned as two shots and the fire would be prettier but it's only one shot with minimal color and range type global corrections. I had to look at the EXIF data because of the star trails (on the full size image it's obvious the view is pretty much due north). 60 seconds, f 2.8, ISO 400.

The happy lighting balance is because I normally build really small fires anyway as it's just me and this was in August. I doubt there is any flame, only lit up smoke building that exposure over time and that one spark bugs me.

The only reason I was still feeding the fire was because I was alone, wandering around quietly while trying to avoid surprising any large critters. A fire is simply a way for me to make my presence known w/o talking out loud (and I've had to talk rather loud and even swear a blue streak on occasion). Even knowing damn well I'm the only person within earshot I still find it rather embarrassing. If things get good I use up the welcome wood, oh well.

Thanks for the info db; What type of camera and lens do you use?

starwatcher

Thanks for the info.  I recently plunged into the world of digital SLR's with a good deal on the going out of syle D80 and a couple of lenses.   I have the closet film SLR's that have been sitting for years and years as we switched over to a digital point and shoot.  Some health issues that forced me to be off work for six weeks this spring gave me the inspiration to get back into more creative photography.  So, I've been experimenting with long exposures, filters, and tripod work.  I made a couple trips up to the Porkies this spring to shoot waterfalls and have some very nice results.  My daughter and I set up the camera in one of the back country cabins and did some 30 second candlelight exposures that turned out really well.  Great father/daughter trip and she's enjoying exploring photography also.

Mostly all my experimenting and reading has enlightened me to how difficult really good photos are to take most of the time.  So, I have an appreciation for the shots you've shared and the one of the campfire strikes me as a really, really nice photograph.

Oh, and I haven't shared any photos here because, even though I enjoy coming to this site, I've never been to the BWCA or the Quetico.  My family has been in the White Otter for week-long trips the last two years and we really enjoyed it there.  But, sadly, no trip this year.  But I plan on spending some more time in the Porcupine Mountains and I'll be bringing my camera along.

Again, congrats on some great shots.

Keep working on your photography and then when you DO get to the BWCA or Q you will have the time of your life, one_paddle_short!  It's a photographer's paradise!

I am a frequent contributor to the POD's here, although after seeing this past week's masterpieces, I am wondering how I ever got up the courage to send anything at all to db.  These have been breathtaking!

And I don't get up north until August 23rd!  Thanks, db, for letting us be there in spirit.   [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Spartan2 wrote on Jun 24^th, 2009 at 12:29am:

although after seeing this past week's masterpieces, I am wondering how I ever got up the courage to send anything at all to db.  These have been breathtaking!

ditto that!

Anyone hear those trees fall down?  ;D

Ya know, with the exception of one or two, anyone with a camera would have taken the same shots I showed. Right time right place ... nobrainer. Personally, I like PODs with people doing their thing and using their stuff. Beauty shots are nice too sometimes.

starwatcher - I have an Oly 330 and absolutely hate it. It's in the way all the time and it seems I always have to got through menu after menu to make it scan how I want. Can't stand auto focus, manual focus is worse than useless ... I could go on and on....

one_paddle_short - When I make instead of take, it's often in multiples of seconds rather than divisions of seconds whenever possible. It's more cumbersome w/o film but it's become habit. Not so much for depth of field but because stuff happens over time. Keep on experimenting and you'll get to know what to expect and avoid. Digital is really helpful for 'hmmm, what if I tried....'


jimmar wrote on Jun 24^th, 2009 at 2:12am:

Spartan2 wrote on Jun 24th, 2009 at 12:29am: wondering how I ever got up the courage to send anything at all to db.  These have been breathtaking! ditto that!

Don't ever think that much less express it. Just pick out the ones that float your boat and send them. A couple of people have mentioned to me that seeing their own shots made their day - even when no one commented. Some say they look better on the site than they remember and so were glad they played.

Nice BASS! I like the "In Fisherman" pose. We've been calling it that when you hold the fish out at arms length towards the camera to make it look huge.

But that is a huge bass. :)

Is there a way to see the POD of the day on this thread?  I can only find it by going to the old one.  Thanks.

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There is a link at the top of this (and every forum) page to the POD page and another to past PODs on the top of the POD page. (Gallery)

Everything is kind-of date sensitive.
If some one wanted to go through the effort to post the thumbnail and also link it to the specific POD with their comment, they could do that and it would look like this:
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It's kind of a PITA though.

Nice photo Randy! where did you take the picture of "lake of the clouds?"

starwatcher

Nice rainbow.  Brightened my Sunday morning.   [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Camped there 2 weeks ago. Nice site. Caught lots of fish just accrossed the lake from this site.

Nice yak rig and nice stringer....man that looks fun!

Ditto....i'm w/ Wally...I have a question, "how does one post a POD?"

marlin55388 wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 5:42pm:

Ditto....i'm w/ Wally...I have a question, "how does one post a POD?"

Above the POD, hit the "Submit Photos" link.

The "Craig Rojohn" set has been very nice. -Thanks.

Yesterday's and today's POD's are both really lovely, Mike.  Thanks.

Thanks Spartan2.  I took them on my Nym/Pickerel Lake trip last month.  I managed to snap a few pics when the wind/rain/whitecaps would permit!  I think there's a few more in line.

prouboy

Nice mirror.

Thanks Wally!

prouboy

Recent POD's have been outstanding. Keeps the excitement/anticipation level high until entry day arrives. Nice shots Mike.

J

I just got a PM from Spartan1 asking me where today's POD was taken.  It was taken on Pine Lake in '07.  Near sunset, a little island off the campsite was settling into shadow.  Obviously wasn't very memorable, as  he always remembers everything and every place.  (Another filler photo.)   ;D

These have been some great PODs lately, really giving the feel of canoe country for me.

Nice contrasts SP2!
I LIKE the Filler pics ;)

solotripper wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 5:15pm:

Nice contrasts SP2! I LIKE the Filler pics ;)

ST, Your opinion doesn't count we need to hear from El Tigre  :)

Just kidding of course....using the phrase "filler pics" as you did, I just had to bring up our fine feline friend. He has been a quiet tigeer


Another awesome pic S2. Thank you for allowing us to see through the special eye and talant that God has given you

WR

I've been sort-of keeping that one to myself always thinking it was a beautiful thing and needed an occasion befitting. It happened to be one of two left to choose from last night and considering recent comments ... burp.

wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 8:17pm:

solotripper wrote on Jul 16th, 2009 at 5:15pm: Nice contrasts SP2! I LIKE the Filler pics ;) ST, Your opinion doesn't count we need to hear from El Tigre  :)WR

I'm SURE that when he has a series of POD'S running, he'll take credit for them and any criticism as well ;)

I like that one, Lynda.  No sign of the woodchucks a few weeks ago, though.

They were just there for Anna's entertainment, I guess.   ;D

It's funny that I recognized Pine Lake even though I haven't been there in thirty years; a trip my wife and I took off the Arrowhead trail and I recognized that prominent ridge of Knife Lake Slate.  We portaged to a land-locked lake south of there one day.  I like the wood chuck picture for the verden green ferns and moose maple.  Nice picture Spartan2!

starwatcher.

What I wouldn't give to spend a year in that cabin. Just got done reading One mans wilderness and I sure would like to get away from the corp world rite now. Thanks for posting that pic [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Hey you two look like you could just move in and take over that cabin ;) not a bad idea EH? I am enjoying this series of pics. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

We enjoyed the Listening Point tour, probably a bit more than I expected.  It was very low-key, you were able to just wander around and touch things and take photos wherever you liked.  Time to ponder and be quiet.  It was led (in our case) by a young community college student who had heard about Sig from her grandfather and obviously had a lot of respect for him and for the place.  There was just a small group of us, and we had enough time to enjoy the location, the day itself was ideal (weather, etc.).  My biggest regret was that it had been years since I had read Listening Point so some of the references weren't as meaningful to me as if I had read it more recently.

The cabin is very simple, and is just as he left it.  He didn't live there, ever.  He only went there for meditation and inspiration.  I wanted to make a pot of coffee and stay for the rest of the day.  Still, I was a bit amazed when our guide encouraged me to sit in his chair by the fireplace.  You could feel his spirit in the cabin.   :)

I would recommend the tour for any who enjoy Sig Olson's writings.

Thanks for the pics...and the info...but I never did, and still don't get the whole Sig thing.  Pics are still fun, seeing you two get something out of the experience.

I love The Singing Wilderness and Listening Point (the book), so I'm sure I'd love a visit to Listening Point (the place).  You could paddle there from Timberdoodle.  :-)

Yes, HoHo, I guess we could.   :)

Wally, I am not as totally into Sig as some people, but we have found the books good for reading aloud while driving in the car to Minnesota from Michigan.  Sort of gets one in the mood for the canoe country.  And there is a page from Listening Point in the chapter called "The Paddle" that I have actually chosen to be printed on our memorial bulletins.  (yes, I am one of those weird people who has their memorial service all planned).

After reading several of the books, it was interesting to see the cabin and the writing shack.  Because of Neil's dialysis, we didn't get a canoe trip last year,  so we were looking for side trips and day trips, and this certainly fit the bill.  I am glad that they have preserved this setting for its historical significance to the BWCA.

No picture today. :(

Do you need more? The only new pics I could send are already in the Inukshuk Photo Gallery, at least until I return from my Sept. trip.

Whoops, but sure, I can always use more.

Nice pic, anywhere special :question

I'm guessing Sue Falls.

Soho Creek more likely.  Sue Falls was roaring last week.

Spartan2 wrote on Jul 21^st, 2009 at 5:20pm:

Wally, I am not as totally into Sig as some people, but we have found the books good for reading aloud while driving in the car to Minnesota from Michigan.  Sort of gets one in the mood for the canoe country.  And there is a page from Listening Point in the chapter called "The Paddle" that I have actually chosen to be printed on our memorial bulletins.

Okay Lynda, now I'm going to have dig out my copy of the Listening Point and read it again.  I can relate to reading in the car.  My wife and I read the entire Ring Trilogy out loud during a cross-country tour years ago.  I don't know what it got us in the mood for, other than the next grand adventure leading from our front door!

prouboy

db wrote on Jul 28^th, 2009 at 10:31pm:

I'm guessing Sue Falls.

Bingo!  Far left side at the base of the falls.  (Rechecked my video from one of last year's trips.)

dd

:D check out the link in this thread:
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And DD's location is correct.  ;)

Nice picture today Lynda!

I love those red eyes, pearl back loons with chicks. You know you're close to canoe country when you can hear their call.  :)

starwatcher

Lynda -- the loon pic will make my dearly-beloved green with jealousy!  

She'll also get angry with me all over again....recalling that I didn't paddle close enough to enable her to snap a picture of a crazy loon swimming upside down and in general going ballistic (trying to impress another loon?)  But the idea of chasing after loons seems a little ludicrous to me.  Seems like you have to be ready at all times, and if they pop up close, you click away.  But I'm a lazy photographer.  Did you "stalk" the ones in your picture?  

prouboy  

I wouldn't say we stalked too aggressively, but they were out there and we did try to quietly get close enough to photograph.  I had a 300mm zoom lens on my digital SLR, so it was fairly easy to get a few good opportunities.  When they have chicks with them they don't dive as much and they stay around a bit more.

We never get close enough to alarm the parents; or I guess I should say if the parents exhibit "alarm" behavior we back off.  We ease in very quietly, Neil does all of the paddling once we are close, and if I get the chance I am clicking away.  I miss a lot, and get a few, usually.

You make the lowly loon look beautiful.  Gorgeous pic!

and this pic of the two babes...eagle bait!

baldies just got 3 of my 4 ducks here at home.  front yard full of feathers and parts.  but that's why God made duckies....

last loon baby i watched hatch and swim off with momma, took a one-way sky ride with baldy 5 minutes later.

again, great photo!

Yes, we watched once in the BW when an eagle swooped down and took a little one.  It was hard to see, but of course the way of nature.  We were a long way off, but would not have intervened at any rate.

Love the Loon pics!
Even though it's part of the natural order, you always hate too see the young one's demise.
Eagles are the master's of their realm, but danger lurks from below as well.
I was observing a mother loon and her chicks from shore one morning and in an instant, there was swirl in the water and a chick was gone.
The mom frantically got the survivors out of the area.
I suspect a large NP got the chick.
Nature for all it's beauty is still all about the survival of the fittest.
Something dies, so another can live.
Hard for some too understand IF they've only seen nature thru a feel good type nature movie.
Still, I would take a few more Loons over a NP any day ;)

The loop that we just got doing, the boy and I, we only saw one youngster/chick...what have you all seen this year. The interesting thing is that we saw many large groups-largest was a group of 9 loons fishing together. Just an observation...and it made me curious. Great picts. Really great picts Love those red eyes and that rich black green...oo la la! The south down south think we are crazy to be love with these birds but then they are only gifted with their winter plumage and their silence. I say oo la la and thanks for the picts!

I really like todays loon photo.

marlin55388 wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2009 at 3:22am:

What have you all seen this year. The interesting thing is that we saw many large groups-largest was a group of 9 loons fishing together.

Crossing Bayley Bay the first week of June, we COUNTED 21 loons fishing in a group.  I'd estimate the total group size to be more like 40.

dd

Quote:

Crossing Bayley Bay the first week of June, we COUNTED 21 loons fishing in a group.  I'd estimate the total group size to be more like 40.

We crossed BB on 6/13 of this year and saw a similiar sight.  First time ever seeing a 'flock' of loons....very strange.   They seemed to dive under and resurface in unison, which was also interesting....synchronized swimming?  ;D  

I saw a group of about 18-20 several times on Merriam Bay on June 30th and July 1st.  They were team-fishing some small deepwater baitfish.  It appeared about half the group would dive first, head deep and drive the baitfish towards the surface.  Then the next group would dive to intercept.  Once when I was very close, shortly after the second group dove, I saw tiny baitfish frantically jumping out of the water.  That's what clued me in to their strategy.  The loons basically paid zero attention to me unless I was within 15-20 feet.  Would have been cool to capture on camera if it hadn't been raining.

Ya, I'm a real jerk ain't I? What a difference a day makes! Same place different deal.

Yesterday:   (You need to Login or Register
Today:   (You need to Login or Register

I know which day slice of time I prefer to experience. Yesterday's loon would be a highlight just to experience much less photograph. Today's, well, I'd rather be taking the pic than the next person to reach that portage on my single 'wilderness' trip for the year. It would be more memorable as a negative - something to avoid at any cost.

For me, these two pics represent extremes of what the BW/Q has to offer. What will tomorrow bring? What would El_Tigre say?

What would El_Tigre say?  He doesn't say anything anymore.  It would appear that he has been silenced, but he still visits, doesn't he?  Maybe he will enter this discussion now?

Are you a jerk, is that the question?  Since I have already seen today's POD before, I had to ask myself "what is the reason for the juxtaposition with the photo from yesterday?"  The contrast, to be sure, is striking.  It makes a point.  But I am not sure it makes exactly the point you are trying for, either.

Yesterday's loon photo wasn't made in the "wilderness" either.  It was made a few hundred feet from the luxury home of a wealthy man who can afford to buy his own "wilderness", a place on a lake where only two other homes exist.  It could have been shot on any pond in the northland if a person were willing to get up at 5 AM on a cool, misty July morning.  And yes, it was a highlight to experience.  I sat on the dock (yes, on a dock, not on the lakeshore) and waited for a long time while two loons floated by, snapping many shots and soaking in the silence and the beauty of those loons in the morning mist.  It isn't a morning I will ever forget.  Spartan1 was up in the "cabin" sound asleep and I was alone with my thoughts and my loons.  Magic.

So, you see, it is a fraud!  It isn't a BW/Q photo at all and I misrepresented it (well, no, I didn't, because I did identify the lake and you do know that East Twin Lake isn't in the BW/Q, don't you?)  But I thought it represented the "feel" of wilderness so well.  As I stood there with my camera I was enjoying the special relaxation and aura of the canoe country, even though my canoe was still strapped to the car and my husband was snugly resting in bed hooked up to his dialysis machine!  Go figure!

Mike Prouty's photo today is (it seems to me) the photo of a group of people who are breaking the rules.  If (again, as it looks to me) these people are all traveling together, they are much too large of a group.  I cannot fathom going to the canoe country with a CROWD!  We tried a trip with five once and I found it fun for five days, but could hardly wait until the other three went their separate ways and it was just the two of us for the last five days.  If I met up with that group, I would find it dismaying.  We have had very few times when we have experienced severely crowded portages, and it is never fun.  That isn't "wilderness".

I know that "wilderness" is in your other thread.  I may go there and pontificate, too.  Your point today is well taken--there is a huge contrast to these photos.  We would all rather experience the solitude, the misty morning of peace and quiet.  Our "wilderness", especially the BWCA, is becoming too crowded and too many times overtaken by people who are ill-prepared or inconsiderate (and this happens in the Q also, although some Q purists are not willing to ever admit it).  But I still maintain that it is the best place that I go and I intend to keep going there for another decade or so if I possibly can.

And in less than a month I hope to be dipping my paddle.   ;)
And snapping my shutter.   ;D    

Spartan thats a lot better than snapping your paddle and dipping your shutter ;) It is great you two can get back out paddling and tripping again [smiley=thumbup.gif] Enjoy

Isnt the Maximum group size 9?... looks like more than 9 to me

I think that's El_Tigre sitting in the bow of that first canoe..... ;D

Definitely looks familiar

---

LOL!(squigman) ;D Thankx Spartan.

 Talk about your " Group Think". From thier expressions, they seem alright with the whole " Wagon Train" concept?
Squigman, that was GREAT ;D

After closer inspection of the canoes in this photo, I wonder if there are others among them that are well know here?? ::)

---

On   (You need to Login or Register - That's truly a thing of beauty and if you like that sort of thing the guy has a site with similar creations:
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On yesterday's - I hope El_Tigre took no offense to my humor. None was intended ... all in good fun?

I do give some thought to POD timing when I load 'em but I loaded the group shot before marlin's Adventure surfaced. Serendipity happens.

It's that photographer mentality ingrained in me. Years of daily, hourly, minute by minute critques. Provoke thought, emotions, sales.... Ya but legal will kick it. No they won't, they all have pfds on ... where are the releases ... overdone, diluted ... fix the lighting ... yabuts run and hide in the woods.

What I am trying for is to point out that everyone sees things differently. That big group? Hey, there's new blood in there. For some, I'll bet it was the experience of a lifetime in a good way.

BTW - I hope someone notified the Forest Service because at that sort of angle, a bunch of that water is going to run out of the lake real soon.

That creation is fruitin' beautiful! Would love the to paddle one! Love stuff like this-thanks for sharing!

squigman wrote on Aug 4^th, 2009 at 2:14pm:

Definitely looks familiar

You have officially "busted me up".  Thanks, I needed that.

beefman

The snowshoes are the bomb too!

Why I'd swear....that woman appears to be having a good trip!

Nice pic.

Ditto...I'm with Wally

That's a really nice....er....fish.  The caption says it all   ;)

That "catch" must be the rare and elusive " Bob Seger Night Moves" species  ;)

I'm not going to get even close to responding to any of these comments.  

But I will admit to getting a good laugh or two!   :D

prouboy

It always seems to me that Mergansers have a higher success rate with their chicks than other ducks and geese.  Usually by this stage....the local ducks are down to 4-5 chicks or less.  Just a casual observation....

I was thinking....if you've ever eaten a Merganser!...maybe the predators feel the same way?

Nice pic again!

I've eaten Woodducks. Gotta love Mergansers. It's like a little family parade. Those are Mergansers right? They're all usually eating when I paddle by.  ;D

Yesterday's 'striking pose' reminds me of a story I always enjoy telling. I tried searching - no luck. Anyway, we were paddling up wind and so could only hear every other word from the canoe that was coming towards us. They were not familiar but obviously aiming for the channel we had just come out. (Deux)

Upwind canoe LOUD: "Yak yak yak yack map yak yak. there - canoe - river - (go)... Yak yak yak yack yakity yak."

My bow paddler: Geeez 'motor-mouths' ... get a clue ... ... OK, just shut up already."

As we get closer ...

Other canoe, LOUD: "Is that a chick?" (and yes I had a pony tail back then and she probably had shorter hair than I.)
Other canoe, fairly close, so now VERY LOUD: "That's a CHICK!" BLA bla chick , ...BOOBS, bla bla BLAAAA bla bla....

There is some discussion about that realization in both canoes as we're getting closer.... my bow paddler is now really NOT happy as we got closer but always a trooper. (I swear I could have seen heat waves coming off her on a calmer day.)

We pass no more than 20' apart and all display the obligatory nods and waves.

Maybe 20 yards separated us - wait for it - 40, 60....

Bow paddler turns and (I forget if it was a whisper or a shout but) at volume they would most certainly hear: "Did you see the BOOBS on that guy!"


FWIW - I try not to embellish and I'm sure I've typed that story before. I got a free 2XL QJ T-shirt for the first person to find an old post of mine and post the link. OK, maybe 3XL but I'm sure I posted it at least once and I'd like to know what I embellished. It was a LONG time ago - my mind can picture it like yesterday. The verbiage - eh - forgive me.

It may have been Nov 2006.  Still funny today.


db wrote on Nov 16^th, 2006 at 9:02am:

I use a foot long chunk of an old blue broomstick and just grab and twist a few minutes until it feels like blisters could soon develop. It doesn't take long. I may do that a couple times the week before a trip. Just enough to inform the cells in my hands they might want to add a few thicker layers where my fingers will contact the paddle shaft. Doing that in lieu of 'actual work' must help as I don't recall blisters from paddling ever being a problem. Actual paddling or chin-ups would be much better I guess but you can't do either on the couch! :) Don't get me wrong. Being in shape as well as being strong can/will make a trip more enjoyable. It's just that it's still doable when you're not. Over the years I've seen a number of "little old ladies" in the park that were probably (marginally?) in better shape then I was on my last trip. It's about   (You need to Login or Register IMO. That reminds me of a ~15- 20 year old story I love but rarely get a chance to tell anymore so I can't remember exactly how it goes. It went something like this. I was paddling upwind with a girlfriend in the bow on a moderately windy day. Two guys were paddling downwind towards the river we had just paddled up so neither of us could avoid the obligatory nod/wave as you pass thing. At 200 yards and closing, oncoming bow paddler loudly proclaims: "Is that a chick? ... I think that's a chick! ... What's a chick doing here?" Point being it was a manly man's place and women didn't belong. Needless to say my bow paddler was a bit more 'humored' than I to put it mildly. We laughed and talked it over a bit until we passed. Once they were 30 yards or so down wind from us my bow paddler turns and at a volume way louder than she knew was required, uttered something (referring to the bow paddler) along the lines of: "Wow! Did you see the boobs on that guy?" I just think that peer pressure and self esteem mixed with a little knowledge can get a group a lot farther than raw ability or muscle. What's the old adage? You get promoted until you reach the tipping point for your own incompetence? In any case, glad to hear someone's been there before. I think it helps a lot when a group of newbies is involved.

Awesome! Now we're doing contests. Congrats pine_knot.

Memory of STEEL! HArd as a pineknot!  :o

Hey Beefman are U the Birchbark Guy?

marlin55388 wrote on Aug 7^th, 2009 at 3:37pm:

Hey Beefman are U the Birchbark Guy?

Not me.

db,

ANOTHER Bob Segar tune would fit well here, " Turn the Page"
When I and my group had our encounter with the topless college girls in the BW, WE at least had the decency too keep our mouth shut and any comments too ourselves.
Then again there was no chance of any gender confusion  ;D
I guess the lesson here is IF your going too be talking LOUD in the bush, you might want too consider what you say a little better ;)

Congrats pine_knot, I tried it again - Geeeze, don't know how I missed it last night. Sent you a PM....