A Camp to Call Home

Now as anyone that has been reading this, which I take as no one since I have yet to see a response from anyone on any of the posts. That is OK, this is on the web and is going to live forever, well as long as the net is around and some alien race doesn't descend from the heavens and enslave us all because they can. I have been trying to think of something to put on here. I have given a lot of information about our camping style and what we pack into our tiny seventeen foot canoes, and for those that don't know we but ten pounds of shit into a five pound bag. Well tonight I have decided to talk about some of the camps we have made over the years. Most of the time on the trip we stay at one of the designated camping sites that the DNR maintains throughout the year. Many a nights we have camped at the Rice site, the Busti site, the Muldoons, of course, Little American. Last summer the General and I stayed at Harrison and Little Minnow for the first times in our lives. However, there have been times when the site we wanted to stay at was taken or we were on the river and decided just to pull in a make camp. In some ways they are my favorite places to camp. Something happens when we take and average spot along the river, one that is suitable to build a site at and make it into a home. We do the tarp rain fly so we have a place to cook and/or chit chat if it happens to rain on us. We make a pit for the fire, well usually, except for that time the General burned the field. If you haven't read that, go back now and read it. We will then clear spots for tents and just make camp. We go from the ordinary to a place we can call home for a night. For the last two years we have camped at Little American for two nights, and both time when we got there some other people had laid claim to the regular good spot for the evenings which meant we had to make our own. No stranger to this process we looked around the area and found a place that was decent for our needs. Of course we had to cut a few trees, well brush actually, to make room for the tents, nevertheless, we created something unique and beautiful. The first time was when we created the site and did a majority of the clearing of brush. There was one particular spot in the area that had this long hump that was once a log, but now was covered with moss and fungus, breaking it back down into dirt, where we made the cooking area. It wasn't centered under the rain fly, but right on the edge, but still protected from the rain. Digger, well this is when she got her name because she we designated as the pit digger for the fire. Rev got most of the wood that time and plenty was available. We cleared out the brush around the fire pit for our chairs. I don't have any pictures of that site right now, but I'm going to work on that. If any Runners read this post a pic of the site so the people that don't read this can have a look at what it looks like. When we returned last year it was overgrown a little, but not too bad. It looked as if no one else had used the site since we built it and to be honest, we did such a stellar job at cleaning up the place when we left that if the fire pit hadn't been there you would have never known a group of twelve people camped and partied there like rock stars for two evenings. We had remembered the lay out from last year and everyone pitched their tents where they had the previous year, it was a grand thing to see. It was on the one and only trip that Ducky's friend Angela came on the trip, coincidentally it was Ducky's first trip also. It was also the first trip in which I crashed the canoe and put a nice dent in it, thank you very much Adam and Stebe. Anyway we were going all the way to highway six that year, this was the first time we had done that. We were looking for the Hudson Camp Site, but never found it. It was getting close dark, by that I mean we had about an hour of sun left, so we knew that we had to stop soon a make camp, however, there was no where to do it. The river had gotten really curvy so we could see very far down the river to look for a spot, so we kept saying around this bend, around this bend we will find a place to camp. Yet each time we rounded the bend it was either too brushy, too low and swampy, too many trees, or the bank was too high. So on and on we went look for something that wold make for a suitable place to camp, but nothing presented itself. Finally we had to stop. We came upon a nice break in the trees with plenty of room for tents and a camp fire, nevertheless we did have a problem, we had a four foot vertical hill to get up to get to the site. We were down to about a half hour of good light before the setting sun got too low and the tree's shade darkened things up real good. I don't know how many people have done it, but setting up a camp in the dark sucks because things get lost easy and there is always something under you tent that fucks with your good nights sleep. Then there is the whole tripping thing and trying to get wood in the dark is one of the shittiest jobs out there, almost as bad as dishes. Needless to say we were pressed for time, had to get the gear from the canoes and do it all the while trying to negotiate this miserable fucking hill. Now anyone that knows anything knows that to get our canoes up on top of the hill we needed to unload them. There was now way we were going to get them out of the water with all the shit in them unless we had a crane with a web basket that could lift them out while supporting the weight. In order to do this, someone had to climb up the hill to get stuff handed to them, that was the Rev and Adam, and someone had to get out of their canoe and stand in the river to unload the gear, handing it to the person on the top of the hill, that was Ducky and Angela. There was no way on God's good Earth I was going to get into the chilly fucking water again. I had already be wet once that day when we crashed, so I was happy to stay nice and dry. Once I helped hand the gear from my canoe to the shore Brother John, one of the early Runners, got out and then I did. We pulled the canoe up on shore and I set about getting a spot ready for the fire so the people in the water had a place to warm up when they got out. By the time they got the last canoe out of the water I had a roaring fire going and chairs set up for all the soggy Runners. I had line strung up in the trees for them to hang their wet clothes on, plus my tent was pitched for them to change in so they could warm up as quick as possible. Within an hour of making the decision, we had a beautiful site for camping; the fire was roaring, the grub was in the process of being prepped, almost all the tents were pitched and some of us were sipping on some suds talking about what a bitch that fucking hill was. We had a good time at that site and had it not been for that shitty hill, it would be a nice place to camp at again. The real kicker came the next day when we got back on the river and found that just around the next bend was an even better place to camp with absolutely no hill to climb up. We got a good laugh but still held no regrets over the place we picked, that is except for Angela...she lost her toe ring in the water while helping with the gear. Once again the river laid claim to something. Well I'm going to get going. Catch ya all on the flip side. Until then I will remain...Crazy Joe.

Take Me Down to Paradise City

Writing has been boiling in my blood for a long time, I only regret that it has taken me so long to realize that I have this passion for the word and just fucking love putting things down for people to read; even though no one reads this shit but me...fuck me. Talked with Ducky tonight and she said the Mule and Mini-Hulk may not make it this year, which is shitty because that means the FNG's have twice as much shit to haul up the Fucking-Hill. I will still my obligator three or four trips...pretty much brining up my tent and other personal gear. The group shit is reserved for those that are new. Yeah I know I may seem like a lazy bastard, but I have made that trip up and down that hill more times than anyone else, so I figure I have paid my dues. One thing I have been thinking about is the slides that Ducky has done on this blog. I think they are really cool and do an ok job at chronicleing the trips, but we need more from some of the trips that have happened since the start of this blog. Now that I have high speed internet I'm going to be a picture freak and shot a lot of shots this year so I have a selection of six hundred fucking photos to choose from. I'm also going to give my email to all the people and have them send me twenty of their fav pics that they take. I would assign this task to Ducky since she is suppose to be the resident photographer but she is really busy this year with "WEDDING PLANS" to be bothered with this piddly details. That is ok Ducky because we wish you and Shawn AKA Spuds the best. I want to do something a little different this year on the trip, but I don't know what I should, or the group should do. I mean this is going to be the sixteenth year so I want to start to do something that is a little different. I want to be able to leave something for other people that canoe this river to see, to know, to remember the River Runners. I would like to leave some kind of a ledger or something for people to sign or something so when we make it back the following year we can see who was all there, or the General and I could come back in the fall to collect what we left to see who has all been there. I just need to figure out how to do it so the ledger can be safe from the elements. That is something I'm gong to have to ponder and figure out. I will post on Facebook and here when I come to a solution. I suppose whoever is reading this is wondering about he title of this entry. Well do me the Paradise City is the great outdoors. The world in which we live. Our planet and all she has to offer us in the way of adventure and experience. She is a deadly beauty with no remorse, however for the few that choose to tame her, she can be a sultry mistress. The key is to never lose the element of respect for what she can do in the blink of an eye. We found that our first hand the time we set that field a-blaze. We took one of the most basic elements of survival, the flame of fire, and forgot our respect for her and she turned on us with a vengence. We were very lucky she didn't take any lives and all that was lost was a few small trees and a field full of dead grass. On a side note, this trip is going to be interesting this year because it will be the first one that we go past the spot we burned since we burned her. I think we have been a little gun shy to check it out or tackle that part of the river since it happened. Nevertheless, I can't wait to see the Doons again. That magical place of my youth that holds so many of my favorite memories of my past. Paradise City! We are going to leave a plaque this year with all of our names on it and the web address for this site. The General and I left some last fall, but no one has checked this blog out so I'm guessing no one has found them yet, at least that is what I hope. What I want is for people to learn about this trip, comment on the blog and/or join the trip every year. It has been a proven fact my me and a few others, the more people we have on this trip the funner it becomes. I would love to see ten canoes in the river one time and a shitload of people have a grand old time just relaxing on the river. Not everyone can be a River Runner, but we do have a few openings. What I would like to do is get eveyone together that has done this trip in that past for the twentith trip, well barring one person because there would be the risk of a drowing, but I won't go into that. That would be so cool, but I doubt I could get everyone back together for a trip like that, however, it would be epic. That may have to be something I try to put into the works. And hell, we would have such a shit load of FNG's, ther regular Runners wouldn't have to do shit. Damn it is getting late and I have some other things to do. I hate leaving becuase I have discovered the JOY of writing so much that it is something I want to do full time as long as the ideas keep coming...there is a lot to write about...I just have to keep my mind open and digest what I see to turn into a story or essay of what I think and/or feel. There is more power in the written word than any other weapon or natural force in the world. Words touch, inspire and change people; sometimes it is for the better and sometimes for the worst, but the undisputed fact remains...words change people's way of thought. I want to get in on that shit. Maybe one one person reads what I write, that is ok, as long as I have an affect on that person then it is all worth it. Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe...LOVE PEACE AND HAIR-GREASE...love ya all.

Still a no go on the river flow, but plenty of info on the FNG.

Well lady luck was with us once again today, the mighty Bigfork is still plugged with ice, but with this warm weather it is going to be a sure bet it isn'g going to last all that long. I expect she is going to pop sometime within the next four days. We have some warm weather ahead and the forecast is calling for rain on Saturday, which will help the ice go even faster. I think the lakes still have a few weeks left, but I'm sure some bays are opening up here and there. That doesn't matter to me, what matters is the Bigfrok holding out for as long as it can so we have a lot of water this year. We got another FNG coming this year, hmmm...that has me thinking...I wonder how many years we have had that has a FNG on the trip? Now that is a good question. This is going to be the sixteenth year of the trip, which is stellar in itself. I can't fucking believe we are approaching twenty, but I digress. But to think back on all the trips and try to remember what years had an FNG. First I think I should define what an FNG is. An FNG is an acronym for Fucking New Guy/Girl. This is a person who is on the Bigfork River for the first time in their lives. The role of the FNG is to do all the shit jobs, the crap jobs, the jobs that no one else either doesn't want to do or has laid claim to some other job. Take me for example, being the heart and soul of the trip I have taken the job of Camp Cook. I have a couple of mean recipies that some claim is the only reason they come on the trip. That is probably streching the truth a tad, but I tell ya, anyone that has sampled my River Spuds will testify they are the best damn potatos they have ever had. Another example would be The Mule. The Mule has taken it upon herself to be the one that carries most of the shit up the Fucking-Hill at the Doons. She claimed it and no one has fought her for it. It is a win win situation. However, the FNG is also given the task of hauling the rest of the shit up the Fucking-Hill that The Mule doesn't get. The FNG has to be the one that goes out and gets the firewood for the evening. The FNG has to endure tremendous amounts of shit being slung at them simply for being the FNG. However there is one job, one that is the worst job of all, one that people have gotten into arguments over who has to carry out the chore...and that job is the dishes. For awhile there we had Dishman coming. He didn't mind doing the dishes hence the nickname Dishman. But he may not be coming on the trip again for awhile. I won't go into that though. Back to the FNG. Now since Dishman has been gone, we have been passing the dish-washing job onto the FNG. This year's lucky winner is...Mark, Digger's new man. I don't know his last name but that doesn't matter. What matters is that we are going to have someone along this year to do the fucking dishes. Plus haul shit up the hill. Plus get firewood. The truth be told, we all pitch in with many of these jobs, even the dishes. Even still the General and I tend to take it a little easier than most because we get to claim the grandfather rule. Now the way I see it there have only been four guys on the Memorial Weekend Canoe trip that didn't qualify as an FNG. They are, Me, Jake, Stuball, and Pinner. For me, I have been canoeing on the river for many years before I started this tradition, same goes for Jake. The only reason Jake wasn't an FNG was becaue he was friends with Stuball and Pinner. Both of which lived on the river most of their lives and spent a lot of time canoeing, boating or kayaking. Anyway, we are the original River Runners, even though I'm the only one left, so none of us were FNGs. We just had a different perspective back then than I do now. The General made the trip the second and fourth year; there were also a few years in there where he miss also for one reason or another, however, he has made the second most trips next to me. After that would be Ducky, she hasn't missed one since she started and won't unless she is too prego...hehe. After her would come the Mule and Mini-Hulk for seniority, from there it is kind of a blur. The Rev is up there in years, and Dishman was. Digger is climbing and Shawn is going to make a second attempt, so he is a Kinda-FNG. He came once, but has missed the last five. He will have some shit to do this year, however, I have to admire a guy that loved my River Spuds so much that next morning he was picking the dead bugs out and/or eating around them with a fork. Glad to have him back. Doc will be making his second trip this year, so he will be one of the crew and mabye even earn his shirt...lol. Mine's pink! LMAO Ah shit I think that is a sign that I'm getting a little punchy and it is time to go to bed. I think next time I will have to write about some of the funny things FNG's have done on their initial trip. Untile then I will remaing...Crazy Joe

First River Check of the Year

Hello all, ok who am I kidding, I'm the only motherfucker that comes to this site, oh well, things could be worse. You know for some damn reason I feel like drinking a beer every time I blog on this site, could it be I have a problem? Or maybe this is a subconscious thing because the canoe trip and booze are so closely related. I'm really looking forward to this year, but that is just like every year, even still, I get so excited because I don't know what kind of adventure we are going to have this year. Rain or shine? Windy or calm? Tips or success? Who knows? One this is certain, it should be a heck of a ride. Like I said earlier, we are going to take the old run from years past. Fifteen miles day one, seven day two and one point five on the last morning. The Bigfork landing down to the North Busti road. One night at Busti Camp Site and two and the Doons. Going to get me some of that buried bottle this year I grantee...or how ever the hell you spell it. I do keep praying for water like Ducky and I had that one year. Hmmm...reminds me, I should check back and see if I have catalogued that trip yet in the blog. I know I have referred to it many times, but have I actually read it? To all the River Runners that read this, go back and check, then let me know what you find. I'm still debating if we should camp at the top of the Doons or where we did last time at the start of them, however, if the water is that high again, we will have to camp at the top...damn I hope it happens. Well like the title of this entry says, I checked the river level today, still iced over. A friend of mine said that the Rice river is open and the Bigfork could pop any day now. So as the leader of the pack, I will watch over the river levels from now until the day of departure. I will make sure all is good for me and my crew. It is going to be nice to get back to the Doons this year. I miss seeing that place, even if it is only one time a year. It is like visiting that great friend from your past, the one you grew up with and formed a special bond together. There is something magical about seeing those old landmarks that I first noticed twenty six years ago when I took my first adventure on those waters and fell in love for the first time in my life. In a couple of years I'm going to bring my little ones down the river for their first time, I hope they find the adventure as grand as I did back when I was their age. Till next time I will remain...Crazy Joe