Mr. Peebles.......odd you would mention childhood explosives use.  At the age of nine I lost eyelashes, eyebrows and the front half of my stylish burr haircut.......to a homemade carbide cannon that my older brother helped me build from a 1950's Popular Mechanics magazine.   I think it took a couple of months off his life when the orange tongue of flame wrap briefly around my head.

No harm done,

MB

Well, If Copia is back on next Spring, I'm sure we can find an open field for pyrotechnic demonstrations  . Might need a permit though in Wisconsin?

Speaking of grand adventures, what is everyone planning to do next year if travel permits?

For myself, I'm still planning the cross country bike paddle However I'm thinking of splitting the ride over two years so I can go on a wilderness canoe trip (or two) in late summer as well.  I recently introduced my bike to my canoes in the storage garage and they seem to get along pretty well.  I'm thinking of cross breeding them.

MB & MP,

I hope the border opens up for you guys; I sincerely do.  However, I don't believe it will.  With that likelihood in mind (and after more than my fair of share days spent in the BWCA trips in 2020) I will make the most of an expected "down year" and relocate, in retirement, from MN to alligator country.  Alas, only the prospect of proximity to future grandchildren can get me to live there.  Otherwise, I would much rather be dealing with Esox lucius, our Northern version of alligators.

For what it's worth, I fully expect to return to the North woods in 2022 (and in for many years beyond).  Heck, if DentonDoc and others can routinely make long treks north, so can I.  I've done it before from NC & NJ.  On the other hand, the luxury of my past couple decades of being spoiled with 2-3 trips per season, will likely become something of memory rather than my Reality.

I know of other QJers who "read the tea leaves" much as I do.  They are planning "alternative adventures" on a grand scale for 2021, of similar ilk to what mpeebles has contemplated.  For instance, one website luminary plans to paddle the length of the Mississippi next year (how I would love to join him!).  Also, as I understand it, MagicPaddler intends to start next year's border challenge buck naked and armed with only a Ferrocium rod and camp knife... which he must use to whittle his paddle and raft.  If anyone can pull that off, he can.

We do indeed have a bold and adventurous crowd on QJ.  I very much look forward to following their plans and escapades in 2021!

Later,

Jimbo   

DD,

Likewise, re: MY appreciation for YOUR assistance on the portage trail that year I struggled just prior to my full hip replacement (as well as for being "camp chef" a few times, etc. & so on).  Yes, I'm sure we'll team up again... and, if it's in a tandem (admittedly unlikely), I PROMISE to cede the stern to you!

Any chance you're doing either the Marlon Brando or Frank Sinatra role?  Do you get to sing in English this time?

Jimbo