Joyce (leg 4) and I took the cart out for a test drive on a day in the 90s and it (and we) worked great. Coming from the midwest and canoeing the Boundary Waters where wheels are not allowed, I've never used a cart before. But it worked out fine and with many roads on the NFCT used as portages, I don't have any problems using this helpful device. (I also don't anticipate having any problems accepting help from other modern devices, such as cars, if rides are offered...)
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| 1/2 mile into the previously untraveled Allouez portage |
Got the "canoe-cut" last week. Had been trying to grow out my hair for Locks of Love, but it didn't grow fast enough in those 18 months...
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| Before |
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| After |
Was contemplating whether or not to bring fishing gear, but both Sam (leg 1) and Kay (leg 6) with whom I thought would be the two most logical co-fishers, both agreed it was just another thing to pack. Another thru-paddler posted the state license fees that I had yet to research and that pretty much nailed the decision to leave it behind.
I also debated about buying a GPS unit and decided not to. More gear. I've never used one before including for driving (even if my daughter found an elusive Japanese restaurant in Madison that we might have missed altogether without it.) Part of the fun for me has always been studying maps and topography. I bought a new tarp instead.
The dining room is still full of gear and boxes of food, but ready to load as soon as I can get the car cleaned up. All paddlers have been briefed about the contents of each bag and have gone over final checklists. The gear includes three main bags: 1) Food barrel; 2) "Kitchen" bag which includes the cook kit, stove, tarp, fuel bottles, water pump, first aid kit and possibly the rain gear, the tent also fits in here; and 3) "Soft" goods including the sleeping bags, thermorests and clothes. A thwart bag will hold the bug sprays, sunscreen, toilet paper and camera. I own three handheld dry bags that we used to always use for lunches and rain gear, but that Food Barrel makes the food so darn accessible, there's no point in having to pack lunch separately. That just leaves a place to keep the rain gear handy.
The web site and staff at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail have been great, as well as the people I've been meeting through their facebook page. I've been in touch with Team Moxie (including, possibly, the first thru-dog), who started out over Memorial Day weekend. Section paddler, Chris Gill, has also been keeping me REALLY well-informed with updates and advice. I'm really grateful for this new community I've discovered.
I plan to eventually post daily trip reports about the route, mileages and weather conditions (the last detail is for you, mom!), but will only do so when I have internet access. I did set up a community facebook page (link is to the right under the LINKS tab) and will probably be able to make more frequent, but shorter posts there from my phone.
Two weeks and we're off!
