Interesting thread! Especially as softwater season approaches and cabin fever is downright oppressive.
Don't know where or when my love for the outdoors started, but my first canoe trip was tagging along with a YMCA group in Algonquin in the mid 70s. Did 3 or 4 trips there with my brother, then young sons, before life got hectic with career and family. Made my share of mistakes & stupid human tricks, but survived and learned. Read an article about BW & Quetico in the local newspaper and talked an old canoeing friend into trying it out. That was in '92. We did a loop from PP up Agnes to Kawnipi and back thru Kahshapiwi. I was hooked, deep and mortal. Since then I've done 9 or 10 other trips with friends and sons with great success, creating treasured memories.  Now at age 60 my sons are laden with family and their availability is always uncertain. They love it too, and they can't wait till their toddlers are a bit older, but for now they're off the list.
Have never considered BW. Just seems like it would be a bit of a letdown. Been subscribing to BW Journal since early 90s and have grown to rely on the photography to get me through the winter, while less impressed with the writing and downright tired of Stu's preaching. Discovered QJ by accident about 10 yrs ago and I read it faithfully while contributing very infrequently. Lots of good info on here, and a few characters I'd like to meet someday.
I am retiring in June after 37 yrs in the classroom, and ironically now that I have time I have also run out of partners. So it looks like this summer will be a solo, probably late July or into August. Easy livin' season.  :)
Don't have a yearning for Wabakimi, WCCP, etc. I have a lot of Q yet to explore, and that's good enough for this ol' man. I've done a couple solo trips. Enjoyable, but in general I prefer a trusted partner or small group of 4. Good for sharing laughs. I figure I have at least 10 more yrs of paddling, 20 if I'm lucky, and I can't afford to waste a single summer.
I paddle either a solo Bell Magic or a tandem burgundy Wenonah Spirit. Hope to see you somewhere in Quetico...
WiF