You mean we all go the same place, do essentially the same things there yet we approach it differently? Imagine that.

My one constant over the years was the day's travel to the put-in and another to get home so ~ 10 nights has always been a minimum trip length although I'll make an exception when my wife comes with but I reserve the right to grumble as I make repairs and maintenance prior to proper storage.

The feeling that it takes a few days to decompress is one I'm familiar with but lately I'm there after the third stroke and three days later is about the time I slow down and the place opens up - allowing me to really get into it. It's hard to describe but it's like after decompression comes expansion. Thinking back, I used to do a group trip and a solo for a half dozen years and then two solos for another half dozen or so. The second trip was always better, easier, even when more physically demanding, the second trip of the year certainly required a shorter acclimation period.

I'd much rather stock up on wood so I can sit and stare at the fire so I've never even considered taking a book. Traveling all day every day is as unappealing to me as fishing all day every day.

I guess over the years I've given up trying to force my desires on a trip. Basically I prepare to avoid the worst, make myself comfortable, and moreover, available for whatever presents itself. Favorite memories usually start as surprises, being able to repeat some of them at times is just great luck - expecting to repeat them - a waste of opportunity time. I can read, fish, play games, swim, bond... at home and while I'll concede some things are necessarily challenging, if I know of an easier way to get where I wanna be... I'll take it every time.

solotripper wrote on May 19^th, 2009 at 11:15pm:

Somehow that would probably loose it's appeal after a time. Take away the effort (participation) and you diminish the satisfaction. If you don't believe me, ask any of the 600+ duffer(s) in the member list while you still can. You can learn a lot by watching a fox.

Quote from solotripper on 05/19/09 at 19:15:01:
... The Transporter wouldn't be bad either!
Somehow that would probably loose it's appeal after a time. Take away the effort (participation) and you diminish the satisfaction. If you don't believe me, ask any of the 600+ duffer(s) in the member list while you still can. You can learn a lot by watching a fox.

I was thinking more on the lines of getting you to the Q/BWCA
For those of us that have significant travel time, there and back, the extra time in the park would really be nice.
I agree, the effort once there, paddling and portaging, is a big part of the experience. As much as I enjoy the scenery on the drive up, I'd trade it for the extra time in the park without hesitation

I'm still liking that fox and fleas thing a lot. Timing is everything. Beyond the innie-outie and yak vs canoe paddle... very specific - nuts and bolts type discussions is - what turns your crank (or not) and why.

To put my own musings in perspective, there is a guy who posts here once in a while who's name I instantly recognize. I believe they typically basecamp and have been known to lug in barrels of beer (my hero) on occasion. Then there's another, who I've referred to as Mr. Wonderlust at least once or twice that I know a bit better and who basically likes to challenge himself by putting miles behind him. While there are some aspects of both types of trips that appeal to me, either would be my last trip if they were my first. Yet, I have no doubt what they do works for them.

What started us doing the two trips a year thing was wives and girlfriends wanting to come with. Hmmmmm, so we did recon trips in spring on the exact same routes for the group trips we'd be doing that summer. The friend I did those with and I had gotten our tails handed to us more than once before so not only was it insurance, it was a good excuse to vacate and recreate. Those group trips were always great trips with decent fallback options. We'd make educated guesses at what changes different weather conditions and more traffic etc. might affect and make first choice decisions in advance. Not only did it work out well, it was a great learning experience. Life eventually changed and messed up my two trip per year deal for a while now - and I really miss 'em. A few more single trip years to go... and then who knows?

In any case, I'm here to tell you that one of the main reasons I feel I'm able to get into a trip when I hit the water is in large part because I participate here on a regular basis. Reading is one thing and doing is another. Participation here is like exercising before a trip. (Ya, like I'm going to waste my time doing that... Muscles have memory too ya know).

Is it more mental or physical? Either way, cramming is bad form and IF the duffers look at QJ as a refresher course... nah, I seriously doubt that.

Sitting behind a desk all day, leaving the office and having my phone with me so I am available by email or voicemail 24/7, and living a days flight then drive to get to the true wilderness impacts my point of view.

I visit QJ on a daily basis. I use others trip reports, questions, discussions as an escape if only for a few minutes. I "decompress" when I pour over maps ( I can see the campsites, hear the loons, enjoy the fight of the fish) and escape simply by reading the posts. Reading several of the books recommended on the site serves to do the same thing. While these are very temporary and fleeting "get-aways", they serve to keep me balanced and in a proper mind set to deal with daily realities.

As for a trip into the park, it wouldn't matter to me if I put in, rounded the first point of land and set camp for as many days as I had or paddled for the entire trip stopping only to eat, portage, and sleep. The wilderness is truly a place to be experienced, whatever that means to you. We are all truly fortunate to be able to experience everything the wilderness has to offer. Enjoy it in any/every way you can.

J

I started thinking about this thread a little more, maybe the reason I need a few days just to relax is I'm Stressed to the max! Drag a 53 footer around Minneapolis for 8 or 10 hours, making deliveries and pick-ups, then work the dock for 2-4 hours Mon-Fri. 3 kids, wife's honeydo lists, dog, cat ,bills, mow, plow, garden, commute an hour one way.On and On and ON I go, when will his heart stop nobody knows. Sweet jesus I need a month off!!!!!!! You're right J cheif, I can (and have) come to the first site, after the first portage, and just set up. (West Pike) 4 weeks vacation ths year, I'm using it all in 1 shot.