Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters

When I asked the kids what they were going to do this weekend they said “Ice Berging.” It’s that time of year.

My friend Kelly called me yesterday, just after she talked to her husband Lonnie Dupre. He and his Peary Centennial Expedition made it to the North Pole!

Lonnie made the 2nd phone call, after one of his fellow explorers— Max, had finished talking to the president of Lebanon. Lonnie called Kelly and Kelly called me, so I figure, it was about as well connected as I get here in the middle of the woods. 2 degrees from the North Pole, 4 degrees from the President of Lebanon.

Once I asked Lonnie–“What do you think about, when you are 40 days into an expedition?” It must get a little tedius, day after day, was it actually fun? It also occurred to me that he was pretty much on an ultra-extended extreme version of a BWCA camping trip.
Lonnie was thoughtful about his answer, he talked about paddling around Greenland…he said, basically, he’d look ahead to the next point, and wonder what the wind would be like there, or what the weather will be like tomorrow, or what the cliff rocks were. The rhythm of the current minutes–and that’s about it.

I’ve been thinking about that.

About the allure of an expedition (or a canoe trip).
Well, I wouldn’t minimize the challenge and adventure. Definitely people appear to crave natural beauty, and usually find some sort of peace in that. Daniel would remind me it’s all about the fishing.

Truthfully though, canoe trips are a lot of work. After Lonnie’s response, I wondered if a hook doesn’t have to do with being forced to live in the current moment. Mindfulness is a groovy buzz word these days. The way I understand it, mindfulness is paying attention to what is happening at a specific moment, not dwelling on past events, or worrying about the future, or getting lost in thoughts about what is going on. Apparently, people are claiming there is evidence that practicing mindfulness increases the quality of life, and improves your physical and mental health. It also helps people manage stress.
Really, a canoe trip seems to force us to live in each moment as if it really matters. Are paddling, or fishing, or portaging really some sort of meditation practice?

I was listening to a little snippet on the radio the other day, and the guy was talking about “not running toward our deaths, but opening to our lives.” Maybe a canoe trip is a great facilitator of that—giving us a little dose to take home to remind us of the importance of the present moment. Maybe that accounts for the carefree part of a canoe trip. And the laughter.

Henry David Thereau, in Walden said “only that day dawns to which we are awake.” Aha! A camping expedition—or a trek to the North Pole—- could be perfect ways to wake up to life’s moments.

Andy is on the West Bank–at the U of MN this weekend, at Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo. He’ll be there today, 9am-9pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm

I lifted this image from
BWCAboard.com
You can see Andy across from the Granite Gear display (far left hand corner).
His favorite part is chatting with the BWCAW mavens–many people with stories of many trips.

Also at the show, HJO outfitter Dave Seaton and Superior National Forest’s Jon Benson in the Becoming a Boundary Waters Family booth. Dave is a featured speaker, at 3:30.

Becoming a Boundary Waters Family
The outfitters of the Gunflint Trail in partnership with the United States Forest Service have put together a program of informational materials and interactive seminars so that kids and parenst can feel comfortable in the woods. Find out how you can Become A Boundary Waters Family this summer and start making memories.

Saturday, April 25, 3:30 pm, Midwest Mountaineering – Expedition Stage

We’ve finalized the Seminar Schedule for the Gunflint Trail–offered Tuesdays starting in June—and they’re looking good.

Mostly, we’re eager for the paddling season to start—it’s about time!

The thing is, when I got over the disappointment of expecting a sunny spring 60 degree day, the black and white day we got was actually stunning. It made me wish that I knew about photography.

Those looking for open water during fishing opener…never fear! You can get in to the first portage from Cross Bay Landing for sure!

Big melting….we just passed the time for good biking on the lake (perfect when the snow gets rough and crusty, but the mornings are cold enough)–but it was good dry road biking for Shelby and me. The snow is going fast. Oh happy day.
The Gunflint Notebook is written/read by a family friend down the trail— Steve’s latest piece on Nature Deficit Disorder resonates with me. Definitely worth 3 minutes, I’d say.