OK.....I admit I got it made. My gal is pretty good about not giving me a pile of grief about going
(probably glad to get rid of me  ;D ).

But how about the rest of us? Share your stories of trials, tribulations and helpful tips to get your allotted canoe time here. Helpful advice is especially, er, well, helpful.

I never will forget......3 years ago I was over at my childhood chums (and sons) house with the map spread across his dinner table while we plotted our trip. His not quite 100lb wife comes in and asks when we are going. I innocently replied and she firmly shot back that "he was not going then as that was his daughters B-day". I was astonished and my feathers raised but I held my peace.  My pal, on the other hand, was as cool as the other side of the pillow and said nothing. We did end up going as planned.

I have just got the OK for 2 trips, one up to a month. Her main concern was if I was going to eat healthy......"Of course I am....... freeze dried macaroni and cheese and fried walleye" (doesn't get much better than that  ;D )

My wife was somewhat concerned about my earlier solos but a SPOT has helped console her.  She does not know what a bushwhack is.

My husband was one to worry; but he preferred to worry at home and let me do the camping trips without him  ::)

One trip a year is no problem, it is a given.  Trying to squeeze in another is not.  When I innocently ponder aloud about a second trip, I start hearing an surprisingly accurate  recital of my time spent deer hunting, and turkey hunting, and bird hunting, and fishing............

Hey Magic, I could certainly explain the bushwacking concept to your better half if you'd like...

Magic (& Quentin) -

Just show her your scars & the tattered, charred remains of your clothing resulting from that bushwhack into Wrist Lake from the west in WCPP.  There must be a few pics lying around, somewhere.

Actually, I'm not sure we can count that challenge as an official "bushwhack."  There was SUPPOSEDLY a portage there.  Too bad we didn't know about the fire and the major blow down of jumbled matchstick-like trees that obliterated that portage.  In some ways that situation was worse than a bushwhack.

Anyway, you guys went through hell... and sure looked like it.  A pic ought to give Mrs. Magic a good idea about bushwhacking!

Jimbo   8-)

Q I think not!

All I have to do is say, "honey this year I am going with the guys, or solo"  and then quickly add, next year is when you get to go with me.  My wife is great and she loves to go with me. She has done 21 mile days with me, fought the wind, rain and all kinds of fun.  I just have to make sure of one thing to make her happy... and that is to be sure I have her hammock for her afternoon siesta!  And that she has fresh walleye at least two meals!

Bruce

My wife worried more when I took my sons along than when I went solo. Honestly so did I. I always leave the phone number of the park office and a local outfitter. I also leave an itinerary (route, lakes names, schedule) with her along with when I expect to return and when she should start to worry if she does not hear from me. I rented a satellite phone once but never used it. I thought I’d call home in the middle of the week to check in but when I turned the thing on the battery was already at ¼ charge, so I saved it for an emergency, which never came.

She has accompanied me on several trips to Sylvania and one to Quetico. She said she had fun in Q, but our trip was late in June and the bugs were pretty bad. She became overheated by the end of one portage and started peeling off clothing and dropping gear as she came to the water then continued walking until she was in chest deep. It was warm but I did not realize how warm until I got a report from our outfitter when we were picked up. Atikokan was in the mid to high 90F range all week.

She doesn’t give me grief about one trip per year. Well not too much. It helped when I could play the father & son card. Now that my sons have moved away, way far away, out of North America, I think I’m still good with one trip but she would protest if it was two per year. Maybe the husband & wife card? She may be ready again.

Been married to my wife for 31 years. Her dad introduced me to Quetico way back in 1979. I have gone on a 10 day trip to Quetico every year but one since 1979.

My wife knows how much I like paddling and fishing up north and encourages me to go every year. In fact, while most of my buds have to "ask permission" to go .... My wife says to her friends that she can't wait for me to leave. 

I guess time away from one another makes the heart grow fonder.

My ex was a good canoeing partner but couldn't handle sleeping on the ground (bad back).  When I asked her if there wasn't some way we could make tent sleeping more comfortable, she said, "How can I miss you if you don't go away?"

After we split she admitted she was a bit jealous.

My wife has slowly increased the amount of time she spends in the Q.  We started off with three days trips and now we are up to 6 days trip.  We only do easy trips.  The last few years we either base camp on Beaverhouse or Quetico.  She only has to paddle if the wind makes it difficult for me to control the canoe.  Other than some token casting all our fishing is trolling.  I found a folding toilet seat which is padded so that makes her trips much easier.  She doesn't like bugs so we generally go around Labor Day because the bugs are pretty much gone and the weather is still warm.  She is a good cook and insists on packing the food.  I also do a week trip around the end of June with my son and maybe another trip with my brother.  Each trip has a different flavor and has its pros and cons.  Our current debate is deciding on quantity of fish verses size of fish.  She still likes catching small smallmouth bass and I prefer large northerns and trout.  She likes catching northerns and trout she just likes to catch more fish regardless of size.