Looking forward to a trip out to WCPP in 8/2013, it's a long ride out from the east coast but for me it's as good as it gets. I paddle a wood canvas canoe and no matter where I trip, it has to be in my own canoe.
My trip out there in August 2010 was great, I had just retired and my co-workers gave me a fist full of cash to do what I want, I mailed them a post card from Red Lake the night before I put in....that went over big with the boys. After 35 years of truckin' they couldn't believe I would drive so far to go "camping"....haha, if they only knew.
Anyway, I am planning my trip again. I working on wood canvas canoes right now, hoping to sell a couple in the spring to pay expenses, then load the old truck up and enjoy the ride out. Last time I was hungry, 20 hours driving was ok, this time, I'm going to smell the roses on the way out and back, what's the hurry.
Then 2 weeks in the park, me and my little wood canvas Chestnut Chum.

Robin wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 12:39am:

Last time I was hungry, 20 hours driving was ok, this time, I'm going to smell the roses on the way out and back, what's the hurry. Then 2 weeks in the park ...

I feel your pain.  The one way driving distance to Red Lake for me is 1550 miles, but I've always broken it down to a 2 day drive.  Still its a lot of hours in the saddle!  But (like you), I can justify the drive by spending 2 weeks in the park (I'll be there in June for 2013).  For the first time, I'll be running a non-hard shell canoe on this trip ... a solo pakboat! Since it will travel in a duffel bag, I won't even have to hear it whistling in the wind on the drive up and back.  That will be different!

dd

DentonDoc wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 1:30am:

Robin wrote on Dec 8th, 2012 at 12:39am: Last time I was hungry, 20 hours driving was ok, this time, I'm going to smell the roses on the way out and back, what's the hurry. Then 2 weeks in the park ... I feel your pain.  The one way driving distance to Red Lake for me is 1550 miles, but I've always broken it down to a 2 day drive.  Still its a lot of hours in the saddle!  But (like you), I can justify the drive by spending 2 weeks in the park (I'll be there in June for 2013).  For the first time, I'll be running a non-hard shell canoe on this trip ... a solo pakboat! Since it will travel in a duffel bag, I won't even have to hear it whistling in the wind on the drive up and back.  That will be different! dd

Hey dd -

Do you expect that pak boat will "tow" upstream any better than your hard shell model did?

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 11:32am:

Hey dd - Do you expect that pak boat will "tow" upstream any better than your hard shell model did? Jimbo   8-)

That's hard to say since I haven't done that yet, but the design seems to lend itself to proper towing.  First, unloaded, the canoe tends to have just a tad of rocker to it, which should aid in getting over obstructions.  Second, the built in tow rings (bow and stern) are just about on the mid-line.  Third, the hull will flex slightly in response to external force.  All of this seems to suggest an upstream tow should have acceptable properties.

dd

dd -

Not planning to do anymore motorboat tows anytime soon, are you?

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 9:24pm:

dd - Not planning to do anymore motorboat tows anytime soon, are you? Jimbo   8-)

Nope.  That one is off the list of options.

dd

DentonDoc wrote on Dec 9^th, 2012 at 12:10am:

Jimbo wrote on Dec 8th, 2012 at 9:24pm: dd - Not planning to do anymore motorboat tows anytime soon, are you? Jimbo   8-) Nope.  That one is off the list of options. dd

So sayeth a wise man!

Jimbo   8-)