From Backwoods to Danm Near Backyard

The first couple of years of this tradition we took the bare minimum for gear. The crew for the trip in 1996 include Brother John (my uncle) and Stuball, (pronounced Stew-Ball), Snakes, (my best friends younger brother) and myself. Stuball and my uncle were in one canoe and Snakes and I were in the other. Out journey that year took us from the town of Bigfork to the bridge in Craigvill, a thirty mile jaunt downstream.

Being that this was a river trip, most of us knew some of the basics. Things like, make sure all clothing, sleeping bags and tents were double or triple bagged to prevent soaking. Always take an extra paddle just in case one is lost or broke. Last but not least, but probably the most important, ALWAYS TIE YOUR SHIT TO THE CANOE JUST IN CASE YOU TIP! The last of these rules IS the most important, but the one that always seems to be ignored the most. I will definitely get to stories concerning that rule, but not today.

Growing up in the north woods, a kid tends to do a lot of camping. So when it came to the canoe trip, I knew what I would need to bring to make things a little easier. Between the four of us on that trip we had:
One camp stove - A Coleman white gas unit that my folks bought back in 1978 that still goes on the trip to this day.
Two tents each - Stuball brought his little three man dome tent that he and Brother John slept in. I brought a little pup-tent that my folks also bought back in 1978, however, by this time I had to cut poles for the ends because the aluminum ones we broke and lost many years before.
Four Sleeping Bags - Nothing to add here
Two Lanterns - Both Coleman units that also used white gas. One was Brother John's and the other now sleeps at the bottom of the Bigfork. (Like I said, tie your shit down.)
Four Large Coolers - Two and a half of the coolers were reserved for the beer and bottles, the other half of the third cooler was for soda and mixes, and the fourth was used for the meager amount of food we brought. And some water.
Two Small Coolers - These were used for beer while we canoed during the day.
One Medium Tote - In this we had a frying pan and pot, a peculating coffee pot, salt n pepper, a Tupperware container of coffee grounds, one pot holder, some paper plates, keg cups, a couple of forks and spoons, one spatula and a can opener for the beans.
Four Tarps - Used to cover the gear while in the canoe and for under tents at camp sites.
One Small Bow Saw - Firewood
Hatchet - Firewood
Various ropes and bungees - For strapping shit in the canoe and for hanging things.


Nothing else really comes to mind in the way of gear. I'm sure there were other odds an ends, but that is like any other camping trip.

When we planned the 1996 trip we didn't give much though to food. What concerned us the most that year was bringing enough beer, booze and smokes to last the four day trip, hence the devotion of 2 1/2 coolers to strictly alcohol. We brought a bunch of hot dogs and one loaf of bread. Ketsup and mustard, but nothing else. One dozen eggs and a couple packages of bacon and sausage. I think we may have brought stuff to make smores, but that part of the trip is a little hazy.

Oh how things change in thirteen years. People have actually been amazed at all the shit we cram into our canoes these days. In truth, many of us veterans of the trip have been talking about down-sizing for the last few years. Never happens though, we somehow always find a way to drag something new with us onto the flowing waters of the Bigfork. Next time I'll tell you how we have transformed the backwoods into the backyard.

Until then I remain...Crazy Joe