I still don't think I understand. What I read is you would like to do base camp trips like you did before you talked partners into travel type trips. I started doing solo trips because I wanted to do longer trips than the group. Nice thing about that is I found could justify two trips a year that way. I get the camaraderie aspect. I get the mosey thing and the tripping, bushwhack thing yet don't need the camaraderie since I can get that at home. I like to take pictures. Sometimes I'll hang around and fish waiting for better light. There's no guilt for indulging yourself on a solo. Also no one to blame but yourself.

We'd always plan our trips together and they varied in scope each year. No one ever complained on the trip, they just mentioned their ideas for next year at the after party or the planning session. After my here's what could happen (be prepared) speech. I'd put it together with their desires in mind. That's what I got tired of doing for everyone. If someone else planned it with my needs and wants accounted for, I'd trip with them again anytime - knowing what I was in for as much as possible upfront.

It would take me three days to find the rhythm for each trip. My second of the year, my solo, took about three paddle strokes. Make the case for the kind of trip you want to do when you plan the next one. Give yourselves layover day trip options. Be flexible and the rhythm will find you.

Towards the end of my group trip period, we had three canoes with three wildly different preferred styles. We'd discuss our tentative plans for the next day around the campfire and make the final decision in the morning for a planned travel day. The only agreement was dinner was at 4 on whatever lake or whatever was decided. If we didn't know the lake, we'd assign sections to be checked for campsites and let's meet in this area - if that helps.

On my worst trip ever we were beat down most of the trip by mother nature and inexperience. I swore I'd never do that again with every paddle stroke on the way out thinking I'd never see that place again and have not missed a year since.