Namekagon by Canoe 5/8-9

“Hey, I'm thinkin' this trip'll be the maiden voyage for my virgin, Coleman double stove..and why not..LOL..I think kayaking is a good excuse for enjoying a few luxuries..after all, they're not on my back and my Folbot has side air bladders..kayaks, unlike canoes, kinda force you to think light, if not ultralight..”

“mataharihiker, is your Coleman one of the folding kind, the Extreme or whatever? I've wondered how those do. I have a 40 year old "green box" Coleman 2-burner that our family used car camping in the 60s. Fine for "camping" out of the back of a full-sized station wagon at a state park site with a picnic table or two. Don't know if it still works.

Strained my back doing the gardening work Saturday. Got to work on stretching it out before further exertions.

lizs, while we really would like you to join us, don't let us get too pushy with ya! If you can't, you can't, but....”

“Lizs - Come up, but please don't write that story or we'll be inundated with Iowans too. We still haven't straightened out the gene pool problem in our sheep herd when opening the border to illinois all those years ago.”

“LMAO.

No, no you don't understand. I will need to ask a B*itch reporter old enough to be my mother to cover something on that Saturday night(which I have to do this week, also, now that this weekend's trip is verified).

It's a long story, but lets just say I decided to crack down on her before her last trip away, when she was gone for over a week and let no one know ahead of time. And when I said, you need to let us know what needs to be covered when you're gone, she copped an attitue and said how as part time she hardly gets anything anyway and, basically, we owed it to her to let her get whatever stories (in other words PAY) she could. Haven't talked to her since she's been back. Hell, I don't even know if she has stories for that paper this week. lol! Could be interesting.

(Our whole little newspaper organization would make a great sitcom, its strange workings.”

“Sorry about some late reply, but I was backpacking the last three days in southern Indiana.

Simer190, you got a great trip going and I wish I could join it, but one is canoeing and yours s backpacking. The Namekagon River is too low to canoe in the late summer months, so its now or never. Simmer, if you run into some of those Wiskey Trekkers offering free expensive whiskey on the Pow Wow Trail like we found out last October on the Superior Hiking Trail, I will really regret not being on your trip.

Liz, I have plenty of extra life preservers. Class 1 rapids will not dump you in a canoe unless you a really kluttzy. If you come in my canoe, I promise not to get you wet. I haven't intentionally dumped a canoe partner in the water in over two decades of canoeing.

Tarabull, and any others, if you want to arrive early or stay late, the family cabin is three miles from the North Country Trail, and you could do day hikes, other canoeing or trout fish on Thursday, Friday or Monday to stretch out your trip.”

“Good morning, prosecutor. mataharihiker and I have been doing a TT version of good cop/bad cop -- well really good cop/good cop -- on lizs to finagle her appearance at the Namekagon, as well as any other ne'er do well with that weekend open. I'll check the Knobstone thread to see how the BPing went.”

“Pekka..it's the Xpedition Exponent stove..I have the Xtreme and a Coleman grill + one burner car camping stove and all 3 use the same canisters..very useful..”

“Wow, look how this thread just fell right down! phhhhhhhht!

Mr. Pekka, someone is wanting advice on hiking TRNP, which you attempted right?

On the DREADED "OTHER SIDE!!"”

“lizs, I followed your cue.

Glad we're not going on the Namekagon this weekend. The north woods forecast is for 40s and rain/snow mix.”

“Okay, I've gotten Sunshine to consider joining us and she's put herself down as a "maybe" on the trips page. Now we just keep putting lots of positive juju towards the weather gods for a delightful spring weekend.”

“It's not looking bad, so far..due to start warming up next week..fingers crossed..I just pray for no wind..I'm beginning to hate wind..everytime I've been out this year the wind's kicked up over 20mph with nice 30mph gusts..have I mentioned I hate wind..”

“Hey Sunshine, hope you can make it..it's a lovely time of year..no bugs!”

“Wind is not bad, as long as it is on your back.”

“I'm working on obtaining some scupper plugs right now. :)

I'm 90% sure I can make it. I hope Lizs can make it, too.

My e-mail is pooh@up.net. Can I get a phone number or some contact information?

Thanks!”

“Just back from my "1,200 miles in 48 hours" highway adventure. 4 states, two Great Lakes, and lots of Interstates with construction zones. But I did pick up our two Kiwi kayaks in Marquette, complete with their spray skirts and paddles. So they are here in Rhinelander as back-ups in case of needy paddlers.

I, too, have my fingers crossed for good weather this coming weekend. Drove through a bunch of rain in the northern Lower Penininsula last night. But it was warmer in Marquette at 1 this morning than it was when I strapped the kayaks on the truck about 10 a.m. Despite a gorgeous sunny sky, the wind made a joke of the alleged 45 degree temp.

Still fighting a strained lower left back (just above the hip), which had an odd blessing -- the pain kept me from any hint of dozing on my long drives Thursday and Friday nights. So tomorrow I will contact my wife's chiropractor to see if I can get some relief before Friday. How covenient that the only time it causes much discomfort is when sitting for a while, as in a car or a canoe.

Picked up a couple new dry bags from a friend's store in Maquette. They passed the "rentle" durability test last summer for them, so I'll give them a try. Nice to know I can give feedback face to face when I visit Marquette.”

“Hey, looks like we're gonna be getting some warm weather..Wisconsin doin' it's normal thing..winter, one day of spring, then summer..gonna be up in the high 60's up near Hayward next week-end (or so they say)..c'mon now, no excuses..join us before ALL the bugs wake up..LOL..”

“Weather Channel said this morning that weekend outlook for northern Wisconsin would be in the 60s with scattered showers. So it's just a matter of maneuvering between the rain clouds. No big deal!”

“prosecutor, you've got e-mail about Friday night arrangements.

hey lizs, are we gonna see ya this weekend, huh, huh, huh?”

“I'm hedging toward a "no." Here are my reasons -- and your chance to talk me out of them (lol):

1. BROKE after last weekend splurging in Atlanta and northern GA environs with gojo.

2. By the same token, I have things to catch up on, especially workwise.

3. OK, so if Sunshine goes are we at an odd number? I can't be put in a kayak or anything by myself, cuz I'd never make it downriver. I'm not someone who says, Yippee, lets go swim in a river. I would drown.

4. I was in REI in Burnsville, MN today, actually looking at dry bags -- especially something for my not-so-little digital camera. The guy steered me to Pelikan (sp?) models. Prolly $22-ish. And I saw a ton of dry bags. And I just felt like, how could I be ready for a trip when I know nothing on how to pack, etc. Makes me feel awkward.

PLUSES:

1. Little cost to this baby other than gas. Still, it is a cost and the great trip this past weekend is pulling budget out of shape.

2. Prosecutor's food, as long as it's not Thai. LOL!”

“Lizs..I have LOTS of dry bags..you can use my Pelican box if you want..since we use the same size camera bag, I'll assume our cameras are the same size..my camera fits in the box minus it's bag..I have enough dry bags for everyone on the whole trip..nice, new, clear ones..clothes, sleeping bag, food..enough for all those..and Pekka's bringing spares along also..I'm thinking you'll be in a canoe with Prosecutor so will never get wet..it's not gonna be cold..as for $$$$$$$$..wish I could help you there..at least it's not far away..gotta get ready for work..”

“Lizs, if you don't go I'll cry. :(
I can't afford to go either, especially at today's gas prices but hey, how often do I have someone to watch my kids all weekend? AND when will you and I get an opportunity at the same time again? Are we ever going to meet?

I'm bringing a friend and his kayaks so you'll be paddling with prosecutor. You won't get wet, but I might! LOL

As far as packing, I'm in the same boat; pardon the pun. How else are we going to learn except by experience??

As for work, let it pile up! I am. :o)

Come with us!!! PLEASE!! But don't feel pressured. ;o)”

“LOL!”

“Liz, I need you to balance out my canoe. It ain't going to cost you anything but gas. Canoe, paddle, life preserver are all free. I'll even toss in a free will.


Menu of what I am providing:

Friday night at the cabin:
Salsa and Chips
Rice
Venison Burritos (no heat)
Your choice of beer/ wine/ liquor.
[Pekka is bringing some sort of dessert as this is turning into his wife's birthday party.]

Saturday morning:
House specialty-blueberry waffles
Pure Maple syrup
Coffee/ Juice.

Saturday evening on the river:
Peach cobbler
beer.


Pack the same as for car camping, but use dry bags for things that should not get wet. I am going to check out the campsite and trout fish this evening where we are going to camp Saturday night, so I will give out a report late tonight.”

“How many dry bags do you need?

You guys have enough for me? I know Pekka and Matahari mentioned having them. And MH, the stuff for my camera sounds good!

I still need to check with my reporter on covering a prom on Saturday... but looking more and more like a "go."

Hey, you guys see my report on my Georgia trip? "lizs comes south"... photos are up. :-)”

“lizs, I just bought two more dry bags. I have various sizes, including a huge dry bag that will swallow a number of smaller ones, or stuff that's in a garbage bag already (never a bad idea for clothes). I will have my gear in a waterproof backpack that is essentially a big dry bag with shoulder straps and a waistbelt, with extra stuff in a waterproof day pack. Whatever the need, we'll cover ya!

As for clothes, wear quick dry hiking pants if you have them -- convertible style if you want to tan your legs should it be sunny and warm (expected temps are mid to upper 60s, which is good spring weather in the north woods). Same for tops, something that would be hiking appropriate and wicking.”

“OK OK, I APPEAR TO BE A "YES!"

;-P

You better have dry bags for me. I will plan to get there sometime Friday night. Will see how work pans out for Friday.”

“Yippeeeeee!!!! Hope you like champagne, lizs. Mary and I will pop some bubbly for her B-day on Friday. We'll find some other celebratory goodies, too.”

“If I could be in two places at once, I'd be on this trip AND the Boundary Waters. I always thought once you retired you got to do everything. Well, there's always tomorrow and always other trips. Have a great time, folks.”

“Give simer our best, SE. We'll toast you at some point, I'm sure.”

“Hooray! Lizs is gonna come!!!!!!!!I just know it..there will be lots of dry bags and I will lend you my Pelican..I have over 6 dry bags I do not use and will bring those..I have many, many sizes..ooh-h-h..did ya catch what Prosecutor is gonna have food-wise..I'd join this trip just for that! and Reino's birthday, of course..and the weather! it's getting better every day! Prosecutor is probably the safest person a non-swimmer could ever canoe with..and, another plus, the canoe is probably where the beer will be kept..you DO, if I remember, like your beer, Lizs..eh eh eh..Sunshine, are you guys driving over from Michigan via the U.P. or thru (gag) Chi-town?”

“mataharihiker, sunshine lives in da Copper Country of da U.P. She is one of the closest TTers to da trip. And of special note, only you and Sunshine have ever met reino before. Up 'til now you two have had an exclusive listing on "Who have you met."

All that will change at the Friday night birthday bash at prosecutor's cabin.”

“What time are people getting there Friday night?”

“matahari, I'll be coming from the North for this trip but my buddy -- he has a name but I thought we could all come up with a trail name this weekend -- will be coming around through Northern Michigan. The ferry isn't running yet or he might have taken that across Lake Michigan.

A birthday party AND peach cobbler!! This is shaping up to be a grand weekend!”

“My only duties Friday are packing the car or truck -- haven't decided which -- dropping the dog off at the kennel, and heading to Cable, so my departure time is dependent on how late I sleep in on my day off. It's about an hour and a half to 2 hour drive for us, depending on traffic, deer, weather -- it's all 2-lane. So mid to late afternoon for us, I imagine, if we leave after lunch.

Reino is excited about prosecutor having a Finnish sauna at his cabin. That may be the best birthday present someone could offer her.”

“A Finnish sauna (sow-na)!! Wooohoo! So, after wilting away in the sauna and reaching extreme temps, we run outside and jump in the lake! Who's with me?!


hehehe! I'm all talk... unless maybe I drink too much of the bubblie. ;o)”

“Okay gang, I scouted out Saturday nights campsite by canoe earlier this evening. They closed off the road to the campsite, and all that remains is a foot path from the main road down to the remains of the old earthen dam where the campsite is located. But there is a boat landing with a parking lot about 200 yards upstream from this campsite, so we can park one of the cars there with our gear. We can then retrieve the gear and canoe the last 200 yards on Pacwawong Lake to the campsite. Nothing gets wet, and dry bags are optional.

I dropped off a load of firewood at the campsite, which is first class. This campsite is on a #&%!$ula of well drained sandy soil with a clearing about 50 feet by 75 feet of thin grass and soft pine needles, surrounded by a dozen huge white pine trees. On one side is the lake. On the point is the rapids. On the other side is a backwater pool of the river. The campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. I spot fished a little without any luck, and canoed upstream solo about a mile. The river is at normal springtime height.

Get ready to party, canoe, and camp.”

“Ha Ha Ha, must have mispelled peninsula, a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting far into a sea or lake.”

“Cool biz, prosecutor. Sounds deeee-luxe.”

“Wow that is TOO WEIRD, Prosecutor!

Just TODAY, catch this action on my trip thread to Georgia. gojo posted this:

"I was at the northern terminus of US 41 in Copper Harbor(?), Keweenaw #&%!$ular, MI a couple years ago..."
gojo
10:36:33 AM
05/04/04

... and then this...

"#&%!$ula"
LOL!"
gojo
10:37:34 AM
05/04/04

...and then this...

"peninsula"
gojo
10:38:13 AM
05/04/04

MUST BE THE "WORD OF THE DAY" TODAY!!! LOL!”

“I'll be packing Thursday and heading up Friday whenever I get goin'..I plan to spend some time kayaking either around Owen or over on Perch Lake..check out the fishing, maybe;) It's about a 3 hour drive for me..”

“It's gonna be afternoon for me. Might be 4-ish. Will see how the day goes.

Save a cushy bed for me!! (leaving the "pink thingy" at home, dontcha know!!)”

“"Pink thingy"?????????? why is it the image of flaming Peeps popped into my head when I read this line?”

“mh -- WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??!? LOL!

There is a legacy with the pink thingy. hmmm... I'll get you a link!

I was just checking Namekagon info. Didn't realize it's another NPS site I can check off in my National Parks Passport book.”

“A nice, peaceful river trip turned into a bawdy pirate adventure -- oh, those TT women.”

“mhh...

Here's the pink thingy! LMAO!”

“You mean to say you had the pink thingy with you in Iowa and nothing was mentioned? or, did I just miss it??”

“hehehe... no I have moved on to a Thermarest... and then to a Cabela's THINGY!

I think Gforce asked me that weekend if I didn't have it along.

SAY... directions to the cabin??”

“YOH!! Prosecutor, please e-mail me directions to the cabin.

(and thanks Ewker, looks like I made it to the website after chucking my cookies, so to speak. LOL)”

“SURE, GET ME SIGNED UP FOR THIS TRIP, THEN DESERT ME!!!

What about weather?
Do I need gloves?
Where is the cabin?
Say I can't make it to the cabin Friday night, where do I hook up Saturday morning?
Etc
Etc.

aaaaaaaaaaaak!! lol”

“Lizs..I just emailed Prosecutor..if he doesn't reply I know the directions to his house..we will not leave you..you are the ballast in Prosecutor's canoe..a very important person..that's what ballast is..hee hee hee”