| I had fun traveling and enjoying the great | | | | and the canoe to carry. My husband is a lot taller |
| outdoors before I got married. After marriage, | | | | than I so even with two packs he could rest the |
| not so much. I like to stop and smell the roses, | | | | edges of the canoe on his shoulders. I had to |
| my husband wants to push the limit. | | | | carry my end with my arms fully extended |
| For example, our Mariner troop saved money | | | | above my head. The mosquitoes were draining |
| throughout high school for a group trip the | | | | my blood and I could not swat them. |
| summer after we graduated. We decided to take | | | | The highlight of our trip was visiting the elderly |
| a 10 day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters. | | | | lady who was the only person allowed to live full |
| We hired a guide and started our from Ely, | | | | time in the boundary waters. She made her own |
| Minnesota. There were 14 of us, 2 female adult | | | | root beer and shared it with all visitors. |
| leaders who were happy to leave their husbands | | | | With the girls our visit was relaxed and chatty. |
| at home for a couple of weeks and one | | | | With my husband it was hurried and tense |
| seventeen year old male guide. | | | | because we missed her going out and had to |
| That alone should have made the trip a nightmare | | | | hurry to get back to the starting point before |
| but there were no incidents beyond a little flirting. | | | | dark. |
| Also, our leaders said if any of us let our | | | | After a quick gulp of root beer we continued |
| hormones overtake our brains, we would | | | | back. I was exhausted, my body was itching |
| immediately go back home and all our working | | | | from head to toe and I would have gladly thrown |
| and saving for four years would be gone. | | | | down my paddle and hitch hiked home if that was |
| We had a great time canoeing, observing wildlife, | | | | an option. |
| dipping our cup in the water when we wanted a | | | | Finally we got to the last lake as the sun was |
| drink. At that time no motorized vehicles were | | | | going down and a squall was coming up. The lake |
| allowed on the lakes unless it was a medical water | | | | was so rough there were waves with white caps. |
| plane who had to evacuate a sick or injured | | | | It did not help that I knew several years earlier a |
| person. The guide had the only means to | | | | young man drowned in this lake when a sudden |
| communicate with the outside world. | | | | storm came up. |
| Years later, I told my husband about our great | | | | As hard as my husband and I paddled we did not |
| trip and he thought it would be fun if the two of | | | | seem to be making any progress. My arms felt |
| us went on the same trip. | | | | ready to fall off at any moment. I told my |
| We used the same outfitters and started out | | | | husband I just could not paddle anymore. For the |
| from Ely, Minnesota. That is where all similarity to | | | | first (and only) time in our married life he yelled at |
| my ideal first trip ended. | | | | me to shut up and keep paddling. It was so |
| We had a map, but no guide. On my trip we had | | | | unexpected I found a reserve of strength and |
| three portages over the course of 10 days. My | | | | literally paddled for my life. |
| husband and I had 10 portages over the course | | | | The biggest reward for our effort was that we |
| of three days. | | | | made it safely back to civilization. The outfitters |
| On my trips we had duffers in most of the | | | | were there to take our canoe and packs and the |
| canoes so we did not have much trouble carrying | | | | bar was open so my husband could get a beer |
| our personal pack and the canoes while the | | | | and I could enjoy the indoor plumbing in the |
| duffers took the rest of the packs. | | | | bathroom. |
| My husband and I had a pack on top of a pack | | | | |