The Great Outdoors
AKA: The Wilderness
Well, I have to say, I was surprised. I recently returned (in the last month) from a family trip that was a fly-in fishing experience. And it was fun.
My sister, brother, father and I all went on a four-day excursion into the woods just after Fourth of July. First we had a nine/ten hour drive up to the “airport”. It was rather uneventful for me and my sister. We chatted and listened to music and just drove and drove. We were separated from my brother and father because of a situation before even starting. But that meant we had a plan to meet up after crossing the international bridge up at Sault Ste. Marie. My bro and father were searched at the border. Hahahahaha.
We got to the very sketch motel (in the middle of nowhere, Ontario) and then went for dinner. Of course, in a town the size of a peanut, the dinner was less than outstanding. Whatever… I wasn’t expecting a four star restaurant. Although our waitress, having to leave for a street hockey game (and changing into the required gear before leaving), was pretty amusing.
There was a little confusion in the morning but eventually we were on our way. The baby sis and I were first to go. The plane only held five people (including the pilot) and one other guy had to go to a different lake. The sea plane was LOUD but really kind of fun. It was a first time experience for me.
I won’t bore you with the details of the trip but here are the highlights and lowlights:
Highlights….
-- I caught 2 northern pike! (sis and dad each got 1 and both of theirs were bigger than either of mine)
-- I got a suntan
-- We had fun playing cards and boating around the lake as a family
-- We saw a bear up close and personal the first day
-- There was a stove and shower (with hot and cold running water)
-- We all got to ride the seaplane (and I was the only one who didn’t get time in the front seat but that’s okay)
-- The lake and surrounding areas were gorgeous
-- It was incredibly peaceful and quiet, very relaxing
Lowlights….
-- The temperature was hovering around 100 degrees F and there was no breeze
-- We didn’t take enough food and were forced to go on a “diet” of sorts
-- We ran out of drinks and the water from the lake needed to be boiled
-- Inside the cabin was probably 10-15 F higher than outside (making boiling water unappealing)
-- The bear decided to take a nap on the short path to the shit pit and so I couldn’t go to the bathroom for a short while (and I really needed to!)
-- The lake was so low that we had to row the boat in spots when normally you can just motor around the lake at whim
-- There were many, many leaches in the water so we didn’t want to go swimming (technically we “could” but who would?)
-- The mosquitoes were like something out of a Steven King or Hitchcock story (they would literally swarm you if you tried to go to the outhouse after dusk)
I would definitely go again. However, next time I would certainly like to see some changes made to the way things are done. First, I do not want to go the first week or two of July – too HOT! I would much prefer May or Sept. Second, screw the weight limit per person. I am bringing a ton more beverages and fresh food. Okay, not literally a “ton” but you know what I mean.
And a look back...
Well, I have to say, I was surprised. I recently returned (in the last month) from a family trip that was a fly-in fishing experience. And it was fun.
My sister, brother, father and I all went on a four-day excursion into the woods just after Fourth of July. First we had a nine/ten hour drive up to the “airport”. It was rather uneventful for me and my sister. We chatted and listened to music and just drove and drove. We were separated from my brother and father because of a situation before even starting. But that meant we had a plan to meet up after crossing the international bridge up at Sault Ste. Marie. My bro and father were searched at the border. Hahahahaha.
We got to the very sketch motel (in the middle of nowhere, Ontario) and then went for dinner. Of course, in a town the size of a peanut, the dinner was less than outstanding. Whatever… I wasn’t expecting a four star restaurant. Although our waitress, having to leave for a street hockey game (and changing into the required gear before leaving), was pretty amusing.
There was a little confusion in the morning but eventually we were on our way. The baby sis and I were first to go. The plane only held five people (including the pilot) and one other guy had to go to a different lake. The sea plane was LOUD but really kind of fun. It was a first time experience for me.
I won’t bore you with the details of the trip but here are the highlights and lowlights:
Highlights….
-- I caught 2 northern pike! (sis and dad each got 1 and both of theirs were bigger than either of mine)
-- I got a suntan
-- We had fun playing cards and boating around the lake as a family
-- We saw a bear up close and personal the first day
-- There was a stove and shower (with hot and cold running water)
-- We all got to ride the seaplane (and I was the only one who didn’t get time in the front seat but that’s okay)
-- The lake and surrounding areas were gorgeous
-- It was incredibly peaceful and quiet, very relaxing
Lowlights….
-- The temperature was hovering around 100 degrees F and there was no breeze
-- We didn’t take enough food and were forced to go on a “diet” of sorts
-- We ran out of drinks and the water from the lake needed to be boiled
-- Inside the cabin was probably 10-15 F higher than outside (making boiling water unappealing)
-- The bear decided to take a nap on the short path to the shit pit and so I couldn’t go to the bathroom for a short while (and I really needed to!)
-- The lake was so low that we had to row the boat in spots when normally you can just motor around the lake at whim
-- There were many, many leaches in the water so we didn’t want to go swimming (technically we “could” but who would?)
-- The mosquitoes were like something out of a Steven King or Hitchcock story (they would literally swarm you if you tried to go to the outhouse after dusk)
I would definitely go again. However, next time I would certainly like to see some changes made to the way things are done. First, I do not want to go the first week or two of July – too HOT! I would much prefer May or Sept. Second, screw the weight limit per person. I am bringing a ton more beverages and fresh food. Okay, not literally a “ton” but you know what I mean.
And a look back...
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