Going home day always makes me feel a little sad, especially if we're leaving the BWCA. Beautiful weather, a great canoe dog, and wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Thanks Larry AND Sam ! Some how something would be missing without Sam ! He's such a Pro ! Well after 68 Trips, Where haven't you been, or where do you want to explore now ? This video was the perfect Saturday night entertainment ! We Thank you ! And See you on Trail !
Hi Jim & Lin! Unfortunately, the next several videos will be sans Sam. If you remember, he had that infection that kept him from going with me on my August trip. :-( If all goes well, I'll be winter camping this week. Sam's not a cold weather dog so, again, I'll have to make videos w/o him. Yes, something will be missing. I haven't spent a lot of time on the east side of the BW... other than the area west of Sea Gull Lake and also the E.Bearskin/Pine Lake/Caribou Lake area. There are many other places on the east side I'd like to explore. In particular, I'd like to do the Frost River before I get much older. That's supposed to be rather difficult.
Thank you Larry and Sam for capturing the true beauty of the BWCAW. I always look forward to watching your videos. You are a true inspiration! I was reading your comment to a post about the frost river. My husband and I traveled that way, 10 day 53 mile last summer through the brandt/frost/louse/ Kawishiwi/ little sag etc.. route. Definitely an adventure. Looking forward to your next one!
Thank you Jill. From everything I've read/seen about the Frost River, I don't think I should attempt to solo it. Should have done that a few years ago. Hope I can do a tandem trip in the not too distant future. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Hello Larry, another nice video. Some impressive opening shots. Your trip 68 looked like another tranquil canoeing experience, with beautiful scenery, hot weather, and good company (Sam). I can tell you're a photographer because you have a good eye for scenery. Keep the trip count coming.
He'll be turning 10 soon (Jan. 25). So, an average of just over 2 trips/year so far. I'm now 65 so my average is just over 1/year. He's definitely doing well. Hope both of us have several more years and trips to go. :)
There had better be a film next week! How else am I going to talk myself into staying in and being lazy? I really enjoyed the ups and downs of this trip (the downs more than you I suspect), the chatting to Sam and the general " Dear Diary" style of this series. Plus the sunshine on a cold, damp January day here that reminds me everything is transient, most of all the seasons :)
If all goes according to plan, I'll just be getting back from a 3 night winter camp out next Friday. If there's a video next weekend, it'll be late in the weekend and probably a channel update. So, you'll have to get out and fill the gap with your own vid :) . Happy to know you enjoyed my trip! Cheers!
Whatever I manage to post next weekend, will be snowy and cold (and, according to the forecast, mostly cloudy). Not sure it'll do much warming. ;-) ... I'll try to close it with a nice crackling fire though. That might help.
Larry, did you take any other of your dogs on trips before Sam? If so, compared to Sam how did they handle the trips? I couldn’t imagine any other dog enjoying them as much as Sam but who knows. 😄
Josh, before Sam, there was Frodo (Sam is actually Samwise, btw), who earned the nickname "The Chick Magnet". He only got to come along on trips when my wife was away -- she's British and periodically makes trips back to visit family. She insisted that Frodo would stay with her when she was home. Actually, I never really considered taking a dog along but, when she was away on one of her trips, I decided to take Frodo so I could get to the Boundary Waters. It was a real eye opener! I enjoyed having him along much more than I thought I would. He too was a poodle cross... but had a lot more of a mixture. I thought he was the greatest canoe partner ever until Sam came along. Sam has all the positives Frodo had plus a few more. Frodo used to bark when he chased squirrels, for instance, while Sam chases quietly. When Frodo passed away in June, 2008 from cancer, we knew we'd have to have at least 2 dogs -- one to travel with me, one to stay home with Pat. We eventually ended up with 3, but that's another story. Unfortunately, having more than one dog makes it much more difficult for me to get away on trips when Pat's overseas. Taking all 3 (or, even two) on a trip is out of the question. Oh well... at least I (almost) always have Sam as a partner these days. And, a wonderful partner he is!
I'm surprised you didn't run that last Rapids on the way out. I've done that many times without any problems. You definitely have to take the portage when going the opposite direction because of the volume of water going through. What were your thoughts? I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I've done so many of the same trips you have done. It's nice to get someone else's perspective of campsite quality and portage difficulty level.
Hi David, Thanks. My thoughts were that I was in a wooden canoe, solo and don't have much experience on moving water I'm extra cautious when I'm soloing. Maybe too cautious. Portaging isn't all that bad and this was a level one even if it was obviously seldom used. At 65, portages that would have once been a breeze are getting much more difficult. I think I'm also getting more picky on my campsites and tent pads. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Greatly appreciated! -Larry
nibimocs I can relate to your comments. I'll be 75 in early June. I'm way more cautious now, particularly on my footing when portaging. Better to be safe than sorry. I play hockey 3 nights a week which helps in my conditioning and balance.
Wow! I had to give up skating of any kind a few years ago. Just about came off the ice a cripple the last time I skated -- and that wasn't even hockey!
Hi Dale! Obviously a short wave radio guy :) . Funny you should ask about a winter adventure... just returned today from a 3 night trip. Hope to have a channel update soon, followed by video(s) from the trip. Thanks!
Going home day always makes me feel a little sad, especially if we're leaving the BWCA. Beautiful weather, a great canoe dog, and wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Going home is always bittersweet. Always good to end on a dry day though. Thanks for following around. Still more trips and videos coming :)
Trip #68 WOW!!! Another awesome video...thank you for starting my day out right!!!👍🤓
I do what I can... ;-) . Thanks for watching!
Thanks Larry AND Sam ! Some how something would be missing without Sam ! He's such a Pro !
Well after 68 Trips, Where haven't you been, or where do you want to explore now ? This video was the perfect Saturday night entertainment ! We Thank you ! And See you on Trail !
Hi Jim & Lin! Unfortunately, the next several videos will be sans Sam. If you remember, he had that infection that kept him from going with me on my August trip. :-(
If all goes well, I'll be winter camping this week. Sam's not a cold weather dog so, again, I'll have to make videos w/o him. Yes, something will be missing.
I haven't spent a lot of time on the east side of the BW... other than the area west of Sea Gull Lake and also the E.Bearskin/Pine Lake/Caribou Lake area. There are many other places on the east side I'd like to explore. In particular, I'd like to do the Frost River before I get much older. That's supposed to be rather difficult.
Thank you Larry and Sam for capturing the true beauty of the BWCAW. I always look forward to watching your videos. You are a true inspiration! I was reading your comment to a post about the frost river. My husband and I traveled that way, 10 day 53 mile last summer through the brandt/frost/louse/ Kawishiwi/ little sag etc.. route. Definitely an adventure. Looking forward to your next one!
Thank you Jill. From everything I've read/seen about the Frost River, I don't think I should attempt to solo it. Should have done that a few years ago. Hope I can do a tandem trip in the not too distant future. Thanks for watching and commenting.
As always I really like how you express your art of filming your trip. Thank you for your dedication to the adventure with "Sam". Stay Warm!
Thanks Tim! It was up in the 40's today with lots of sunshine... not very hard to stay warm with weather like this.
Such an amazing trip my friend! It’s warmed up a cold winter!
Thanks Doug. It has been an exceptionally cold winter. Happy to do what I can to warm it up a bit :)
Hello Larry, another nice video. Some impressive opening shots. Your trip 68 looked like another tranquil canoeing experience, with beautiful scenery, hot weather, and good company (Sam). I can tell you're a photographer because you have a good eye for scenery. Keep the trip count coming.
Thanks so much for your very kind comment! I'll keep that trip count coming as long as I can.
great video of the last day. beautiful scenery.
Thank you Martin!
you are welcome Larry. this is a great series of videos.
Simply fantastic ! Greatly enjoyed this series.Hope to get out that way soon, Peace
Thank you! If you need any info, have any questions, before you come out this way, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.
nibimocs Fantastic ! Good to know, take care, look forward to more of your videos !
I like when you bring out the map and show where you camped and where you are heading to that day.
Thanks Kevin. Trying to include the map going forward.
Sam has been on a third of your trips...how cool that is. Just a few more and it'll be up to half, yea the Faithful.
He'll be turning 10 soon (Jan. 25). So, an average of just over 2 trips/year so far. I'm now 65 so my average is just over 1/year. He's definitely doing well. Hope both of us have several more years and trips to go. :)
There had better be a film next week!
How else am I going to talk myself into staying in and being lazy?
I really enjoyed the ups and downs of this trip (the downs more than you I suspect), the chatting to Sam and the general " Dear Diary" style of this series. Plus the sunshine on a cold, damp January day here that reminds me everything is transient, most of all the seasons :)
If all goes according to plan, I'll just be getting back from a 3 night winter camp out next Friday. If there's a video next weekend, it'll be late in the weekend and probably a channel update. So, you'll have to get out and fill the gap with your own vid :) . Happy to know you enjoyed my trip! Cheers!
I'm in the hills getting cold and wet on an over nighter next weekend so returning on Sunday to one of your videos will soon warm me up :)
Whatever I manage to post next weekend, will be snowy and cold (and, according to the forecast, mostly cloudy). Not sure it'll do much warming. ;-) ... I'll try to close it with a nice crackling fire though. That might help.
Larry, did you take any other of your dogs on trips before Sam? If so, compared to Sam how did they handle the trips? I couldn’t imagine any other dog enjoying them as much as Sam but who knows. 😄
Josh, before Sam, there was Frodo (Sam is actually Samwise, btw), who earned the nickname "The Chick Magnet". He only got to come along on trips when my wife was away -- she's British and periodically makes trips back to visit family. She insisted that Frodo would stay with her when she was home. Actually, I never really considered taking a dog along but, when she was away on one of her trips, I decided to take Frodo so I could get to the Boundary Waters. It was a real eye opener! I enjoyed having him along much more than I thought I would. He too was a poodle cross... but had a lot more of a mixture. I thought he was the greatest canoe partner ever until Sam came along. Sam has all the positives Frodo had plus a few more. Frodo used to bark when he chased squirrels, for instance, while Sam chases quietly. When Frodo passed away in June, 2008 from cancer, we knew we'd have to have at least 2 dogs -- one to travel with me, one to stay home with Pat. We eventually ended up with 3, but that's another story. Unfortunately, having more than one dog makes it much more difficult for me to get away on trips when Pat's overseas. Taking all 3 (or, even two) on a trip is out of the question. Oh well... at least I (almost) always have Sam as a partner these days. And, a wonderful partner he is!
I'm surprised you didn't run that last Rapids on the way out. I've done that many times without any problems. You definitely have to take the portage when going the opposite direction because of the volume of water going through. What were your thoughts? I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I've done so many of the same trips you have done. It's nice to get someone else's perspective of campsite quality and portage difficulty level.
Hi David, Thanks. My thoughts were that I was in a wooden canoe, solo and don't have much experience on moving water I'm extra cautious when I'm soloing. Maybe too cautious. Portaging isn't all that bad and this was a level one even if it was obviously seldom used.
At 65, portages that would have once been a breeze are getting much more difficult. I think I'm also getting more picky on my campsites and tent pads. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Greatly appreciated! -Larry
nibimocs I can relate to your comments. I'll be 75 in early June. I'm way more cautious now, particularly on my footing when portaging. Better to be safe than sorry. I play hockey 3 nights a week which helps in my conditioning and balance.
Wow! I had to give up skating of any kind a few years ago. Just about came off the ice a cripple the last time I skated -- and that wasn't even hockey!
Very nice video as always, Larry. Did you make it out for a winter adventure? -Dale (aka "Sparks", my new TH-cam name)
Hi Dale! Obviously a short wave radio guy :) . Funny you should ask about a winter adventure... just returned today from a 3 night trip. Hope to have a channel update soon, followed by video(s) from the trip. Thanks!