Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Picking a trip partner
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PeaceFrog |
boonie: "I'm guessing edewolfe has quit monitoring this post from 7/2021 . . . Oh geez. I didn't even realize it was from 21. Should have noticed that. Duh... |
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Paddle4Hike |
My wife and I have different things that we enjoy, and involve our kids in those collectively and separately. She has taken them each to Hawaii for hiking, kayaking, and surfing, while I enjoy backpacking and canoeing trips as well as hiking near home with them. We have both “pushed” our kids outside their comfort zones to safely expand their perspective. They are 27 and 28 with no negative feedback so far. Every parent/child relationship is different. Every person’s relationship with the outdoors is different. Obviously, you are the best judge of what will work in your specific situation. I wish you the best! Time spent in the wilderness one on one with my kids is unforgettable. Best E |
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boonie |
If nothing works out, you and your son go. You may never have the opportunity again. Things change fast with teenagers. |
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PeaceFrog |
boonie: "She did say she'd move the reservation to this summer in hopes of finding someone, so if she didn't maybe she'll check back. " Hope she does. Really would like to hear that her and her son go |
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Captn Tony |
I never invite people that I think won't embrace a challenge. I figure if they can't be miserable and be ok with it, they will make the trip miserable for everyone else. That being said I realize it's not just about me and the majority rules when actually on the trip. I've changed my route, left early, went to different lakes then originally planned, etc. because I was overruled and I was fine with that. So far I've never regretted taking new news with me. |
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PeaceFrog |
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Speckled |
Only once have I been truly pissed about it. This was with family, my neice and two nephews wouldn't necessarily get the chance to do a trip like this without outside intervention. They had expressed interest and I jumped at the opportunity. It was going to be a father and kids trip. Myself, the other dad (my brother-in-law) and 4 kids total. We planned the trip - I told them i'd provide all the gear, they just needed to pack thier own packs and food. I spent a substantial amount of money, updating gear and outfitting them. We were to leave on a Thursday, driving up early AM. They called Wednesday late evening and canceled, less than 12 hours from departure. Apparantly the mom (my sister-in-law), who wasn't even going on the trip, wasn't feeling well and was worried about who would take care of thier two weiner dogs, if she didn't feel well and everyone else was gone on a trip. I originally said nothing except ok and hung up the phone. My wife bless her heart, called her sister and asked how she could help and how we could make this trip still happen...everything was shot down and they started to get confrontational with her. I then unleashed a tirade upon both my brother-in-law and sister-in-law that resulted in blocking on all social media and a year of no speaking. No point to telling my story, other than to say good luck. You could always plan for the typical bell curve of BW trip participation and try and get like three or four that are interested with the hopes that at the end there's still one mom - son combo still hanging on. |
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lindylair |
If for some reason he could not go I still l have a couple other guys I am pretty sure I could convince to take a trip with me. I have gone on one with both of them and both were great. Guess I have never thought about the what if...there was nobody to trip with. First thought would be to post on this site looking for trip partners and with flexible dates and itineraries I am pretty sure I could put some trips together. There's a lot of good people here and I wouldn't have much hesitation in doing that, especially with the long time members who I feel like I know, even though I don't. With a teenage son in the picture you would likely be looking for a similar pair but I believe they probably exist. Try to arrange a meeting if the distances aren't too far apart. Or even a Zoom video meeting could give you a pretty good idea of compatibility. I think I would enjoy a trip with someone new, as long as they are within the wide range of "normal". I get along with just about everyone and there is much to be gained by a trip like this too. On the other hand a trip with just the two of you could be pretty cool, just keep his goals for the trip top of mind and maybe make it a short trip. Might just work out pretty well. If you continue to postpone it until next year, pretty soon he will be grown up and out of the house and the chance might be gone. Or maybe not. |
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scramble4a5 |
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bwcadan |
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billconner |
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dschult2 |
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edewolfe |
They just backed out of the trip. My son would have a better time if someone besides just his mum were going, whether it's another youth close in age or adult who likes fishing, etc., And can connect with him. We've had trouble finding trip mates because the idea of this kind of adventure can be intimidating. Someone who has had previous experience would be great, but we don't personally know very many people with that background. We're prepared to go with just the two of us, but again think it would be more fun for my son to have some else along. We moved our reservation to next summer with the hopes of finding someone before then. My question to all of you is how have you found your trip mates? Any ideas how we go about connecting with people genuinely interested in going and willing to fulfill the commitment of the trip? |
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YetiJedi |
Perhaps a shorter trip with just the two of you would work out well. I know with my teenagers that it helps to involve them in the planning as much as they are interested. Like others have said, go and trust nature to work the miracle of capturing their attention. I do hope you can find someone to trip with to help make it better all around. |
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boonie |
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jillpine |
Don't overlook the opportunity (that you will never have again, and will pass quicker than you can shake an alder shrub at) to travel alone with your son. If you're thinking about sleeping arrangements, get hammocks or each have your own tent. Each of my sons, but especially my younger son, has traveled alone with me, through all their baby, child, teen and now into their adult lives. I wouldn't trade a single second for anything. I cannot put into words how much I miss it, and how grateful I am that I read that book by Rob. You know, they act bored at age 14. They dislike everything at age 14 except pizza and cellphones. Just ignore it. They're watching and absorbing everything, and those times will stick with them like glue when they most need it. |
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cyclones30 |
But if you must move it back, I've taken a lot of first-timers. You just have to do your legwork in advance with them. Make sure they're up for about anything, don't get bothered if it's raining most of a day or whatnot. A good personality and outlook is more important than the world's strongest paddler or portager. You can teach them that stuff as long as they're moderately fit. But being able to laugh when you lose a shoe in the mud or enjoy a game of cards while it rains mid-day is always good. |
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bwcadan |
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4keys |
Do you spend any time paddling in your area? Meet other paddlers that way? We haven't had much luck finding other people to paddle with either. All our friends think we're crazy. (None of our friends like to bike or Xc ski either- we need new friends!) I think you're best bet would be an adventurous friend of your sons, then going with the 3 of you, or get the friends parent to go. Good luck. |
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JohnGalt |
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edewolfe |
boonie: "I'm guessing edewolfe has quit monitoring this post from 7/2021 . . . I'm still here! Thank you for keeping the thread going. I changed jobs last summer and didn't have any PTO available. So I'M BACK!! I have a group of 4 going this summer (2023) so far: my son, retired Assistant Scoutmaster and his Eagle son. We'd like to bring on a few more if anyone following this thread is interested. Here are the details: EP 25 through Williams and Hall outfitter. Looking at put in on July 24th (July 17th as the backup). Will be getting permit by the end of the week. Will be 4-5 day trip. Not looking for any extreme portaging, so we'll likely camp in the same spot a few nights. As a group we'll review the routes and make a decision from there. Lots of fishing, going where the loons go, and avoiding mosquinados as much as possible. My son will be 18, so anyone with a youth or youthful personality would be especially welcome. @newbie2021 were you and your friend and his son able to make it out last year? If anyone is interested, please respond here or email me at ead603@yahoo.com directly. Looking forward to a great summer with many memories! |
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boonie |
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ockycamper |
When you make the Boundary Waters about how far you can paddle and how big of a challenge you can make it, you really limit the people that want to come with you. We have also found it is far easier to portage an empty canoe and a day pack, and can actually see more lakes that way then 4-5 double/triple portages each day, plus setting up and taking down camps. And we found after all the years of portaging 5-6 portages in that we missed too much to see paddling through lakes just to get to the target lake. |
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boonie |
She did leave her email though. |
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boonie |
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Grandma L |
JohnGalt: "Glad to hear you all are going to make the voyage this year! EP 25 (Moose Lake) has a lot of great options - I solo'd that area for four months last year. I'm going in the same EP again this year, so I'll be in the neighborhood when you make your voyage. While I haven't visited all of the lakes in the area, I did see many of them, if you have any questions about the region, feel free to ask :)." John, Grandma L here. Please contact me - I would like to track your travels again this year. You don't have an email listed or I would send you a message. |
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chiefwisepaddle |
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newbie2021 |
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