What's my rush?  I'll tell you my rush.

There are 365 days in a year.  I get to spend 8 of them with Pascannel in a canoe in Quetico.  That's roughly 190 hours out of 8,760.  Subtract 20 hours for travelling, 56 for sleeping, +/- 10 for screwing around in camp with chores etc.. and that leaves 94 hours for fishing or 1.07% of the year to fish Quetico.  Every minute not spent in a canoe fishing in Quetico (while in Quetico) is a minute wasted IMO.

So, if I can get my coffee in 5 minutes vs. 15 thats an extra hour and a half on the water.

There is a greater life lesson in here though; which I would be happy to share with the rest of you.  Canoe camping, like life, is about being efficient, streamlined and intentional.  Those people that simply "let the day happen" end up being the weakest of the herd.  These are the folks blowing out knees on portages, sleeping till 3pm and baking pizza in dutch ovens on top of a BWCA fire grate.  You call that living?!?!?!  They are the same people swapping pink-stew recipes and wondering how and where to hang or hide a food pack or plugging in coordinates into their GPS or trying to balance a tripod.  That's not life my friend.  That's a pity and pray for their souls.  You know how I know this?  Because come May, my PM box is filled to the gills with fishing related questions from every member on the block.  You know why?  I'll tell you why.  Because it finally dawned on them that they just spent the last year trading stew recipes.

That is how I can look myself in the eye and know that I spent my limited time here on earth wisely; no excessive time brewing coffee, hanging my food pack, cooking pizza or snapping nature photos.  No my friend, I spent my day  intentionally and efficiently.

Who are you going to be Pax?  Recipe guy or fishing guy?  The choice is yours.

I'm with PJ on a lot of that.  Our goals may differ to some extent...fishing's also a big part of the allure to me...but sitting around waiting for coffee to perk isn't my idea of a great use of vacation time either. 

That's the beauty of a french press.  All the flavor of perked coffee with no waiting.  By the time it's cool enough to drink, it's time to push the plunger.  Meanwhile, I'm busy getting other chores out of the way.  Bottoms up!

Confession time. I've made one fish stew in my life, it just happened to turn out pink. It was a PJ original...as in Practical Joke. Had a little smoky taste as I recall...

If you've never had smoked laker in a stew, don't knock it, ever bit as much fun as catching it.

PJ,
You are an interesting and thought provoking fellow. 1/2 of me understands and supports your views and the other 1/2 does not. I am with you on people who lack clear vision about what they want and end up being aimless and waste time and ultimately are unsatisfied with a great many endeavors in life, not just canoe camping. You are indeed correct in pointing out that our time on this earth is limited and it's best to take full advantage of the gift of life.

That being said, there is also much to be said about being content in whatsoever circumstances one finds oneself. That extra 1.5 hours of fishing time even if it does land you a few extra fish is that then the measure of a good trip? (I'm not saying it is or isn't, let each be convinced in their own mind). And I say this from a hardcore fisherman's point of view. When they allowed bait I had a line out while setting up camp. Usually I run a line on travel days and it is seldom that I wrap it up for the night before 11 P.M. and I often fish until midnight. I fish hard. Life is short. As for that morning cup of Joe. Ah, life is good. I relax, the fish will be there. I write a bit, read a bit and I might even make a second cup! 

Rats, I didn't get it. Still, the best cutting humor always has the element of truth. I shall try and be more observant and learn from the master.