I suppose now I'm keeping this blog for something my kids can read when I am long and have returned to the earth as God had intended. This is going to be another year in which there was no one wanting or willing to take the trip on the Bigfork River other than me...well me and my kids. To be honest I didn't really try to get in touch with anyone other than The General and Ducky, but they both have other thing they are going to be doing this weekend. Still, this is going to be a sweet ass trip.
This year it is going to be the Marthaler kids and their dad on the trip. Em has to work she had to take a bow. That is understandable, even though it sucks monkey balls. I miss having her on the trip. Still I know it is going to be a blast with my kids because we are going to have a great time just kicking back and enjoying a great float on the Bigfork.
This year's run is going to take us for The General's land to Easy-Half Campsite. I think this is going to be the third time I have camped there, but it is going to be my kid's first. We are going to play some games, make a primitive privy and I want all of them to practice their canoeing skills. We are also going to stash a Geocache for other people that canoe to find if they are part of the club.
The Geocache is going to contain some shit that is related to the River Runners like a card that has the blog web site and a little history of us. It is also going to contain some swag for those that find it to trade as is the custom to Geocasher's. I'm also thinking to putting in a fiver for the FTF person so they have a bit of a reward. I'm kind of hoping that maybe next year we can get a few other people to join the trip because they found the cache and want to take another trip on the river with the River Runners.
I'm sure I will be back before the trip, however, until that time comes I will forever remain...Crazy Joe.
The story of The Bigfork River Runners begins back in 1996. It was the end of my first year of higher education and to celebrate I put together a motley crue of friends to take a canoe trip down the Bigfork River on Memorial vacation. The trip was a blast to say the least; since then we have carried on the tradition of canoeing the river every year on Memorial Weekend. Through this blog The Bigfork River Runners will share their stories and pictures from trips past and trips to come.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Fuck I Don't Know Man...
Like the title says, I don't fucking know. Something happened tonight that I never though would happen, at least not for the reasons I learned. I was informed tonight that The General will not be making the trip this year because he is going to be working on fixing up his place in Florida that got nailed by a hurricane last fall. Without a doubt this is a legit reason for missing the trip, but, it wouldn't hurt to take a couple day vacation to float down the Bigfork for a couple to days and relax. It isn't like this is something that has him busy like what has happened in the past, no, nothing like that, this is something different.
In the past when The General has missed the trip it is because he has something else that is extremely important that needs attending, like the time he had to put shingles on his roof or he needed to be in the cities to pick up his new pup. Hell, I remember a time he had to go to the emergency room on his way up for the trip but told the docs that said he needed rest that if he is going to go he would like to go on the river, a place he loves to be. However, from our conversation, it almost sounded like he didn't want to come back to Minnesota for quite a long time. He wants to finish fixing his Florida house and then head for Alaska via Canada with a truck, a box camper and his new air (fan) boat and take a trip his has dreamed about all his life.
I have no problem with his dread, in fact I'm stoked, and a little jealous about the trip, still something just doesn't feel right. It is like he is saying goodbye and...well...I don't know.
Until next time I will forever be Crazy Joe
In the past when The General has missed the trip it is because he has something else that is extremely important that needs attending, like the time he had to put shingles on his roof or he needed to be in the cities to pick up his new pup. Hell, I remember a time he had to go to the emergency room on his way up for the trip but told the docs that said he needed rest that if he is going to go he would like to go on the river, a place he loves to be. However, from our conversation, it almost sounded like he didn't want to come back to Minnesota for quite a long time. He wants to finish fixing his Florida house and then head for Alaska via Canada with a truck, a box camper and his new air (fan) boat and take a trip his has dreamed about all his life.
I have no problem with his dread, in fact I'm stoked, and a little jealous about the trip, still something just doesn't feel right. It is like he is saying goodbye and...well...I don't know.
Until next time I will forever be Crazy Joe
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Another First
Over the years of this trip we have had a lot of first take place that have been repeated and have not. I was the first canoe with an uncle, girlfriend and sister on the trip. Stewball was the first one to paddle a kayak and roll it without spilling his beer. The General and Brother John were the first brothers to canoe the river. Brother John and Radar were the first father/son team to hit the Bigrork. Wayne was the first to canoe with both of his kids and still remains as the oldest member to ever canoe; not to mention the only Grandparent. Dishman and Digger were the first married couple to canoe and also have the honor of being the only canoe to roll more than four times during a single trip. I'm sure there are more "firsts" I could add to the list, but none are as awesome as the first I hope to see happen this year. I hope to be the first to bring his entire family on the trip.
Em and I plan on brining all of our kids on the trip this year. It has been a long time in the making as I have thought about this day for many years. Our kids have gotten old enough to where they are ready to take to the river and have an adventure that they will never forget...and with any luck...continue what their dad had started so many years ago. I know it is going to be a hell of a good time because all of my kids love doing shit outdoors. I just wonder about the rest of the River Runners.
What I mean is I wonder about what ever happened to them. I know that life comes at you hard sometimes, but in the grand scheme of things you need to take a little time for yourself. You know what, I'm not going to go down this road because all I'm going to do is piss a lot of people off. Fuck me!!
Em and I plan on brining all of our kids on the trip this year. It has been a long time in the making as I have thought about this day for many years. Our kids have gotten old enough to where they are ready to take to the river and have an adventure that they will never forget...and with any luck...continue what their dad had started so many years ago. I know it is going to be a hell of a good time because all of my kids love doing shit outdoors. I just wonder about the rest of the River Runners.
What I mean is I wonder about what ever happened to them. I know that life comes at you hard sometimes, but in the grand scheme of things you need to take a little time for yourself. You know what, I'm not going to go down this road because all I'm going to do is piss a lot of people off. Fuck me!!
Saturday, February 10, 2018
23 Years and We're Still Bitchin'
Ok, so the title is a little off because we have only been doing this trip for 22 years, however, this year is going to be the 23rd. Damn, that just blows my mind thinking about it because I have students that are younger than this trip. In fact, I can not think of something that has lasted longer in my life other than my family that I have done that is older than this trip. Yes, yes, in the grand scheme of things it is only a drop in the bucket, but almost a quarter of a century...come on! For us shit-ball humans it is, for the most part, a third of our lives. That is why I am so damn pumped for this year's trip.
This year is going to be a great learning experience for the entire family in so many ways. Sure we have all camped together, however, never before have we split up with our own gear to tackle a watery trail as our means to our destination. We are going to have six people, with three canoes and only half of us have had experience at being the Captain in the rear of the vessel; yet that is only a fraction of what my kids will have to learn on this trip. Oh yes...there is a lot more.
Well, as I sit here and think about the trip that is going to come up this year, I know we are going to have more than just three canoes because The General is going to be coming along with us as well as possibly Radar and Johnny Rambo...I hope. That would mean we would possibly have five canoes on the trip. One short of our record of six. The only difference is that four of the ten people would be underage, and we haven't had that since Stebe and Adam were on the trip. But that isn't going to matter much because there are going to be a lot of pros on the trip this year to teach them how to canoe and camp.
This has got me thinking...maybe The General's idea isn't all that bad. We live in a time where a lot of shit is going viral. I mean, in a recent conversation with a friend of mine from work, he said that one of the top paid people on Youtube this year was a kid, younger then Bug, who did reviews on toys he would play with and review. That is fucking crazy!! The kid made over a million dollars paying with fucking toys and giving his opinion on them. This has led me to think that we maybe onto something with our canoe trip. Well...at least for something to have some hits or something on it. If only we would have had a go-pro cam back in the day. Hell, we would be making some BANK!
I'm thinking about the times that Stuball rolled his kayak and kept his brew above water, or the time that Andy was launched out of his canoe and hugged a rock. And lets not forget about the time The General tipped over on the hill at the Doons. I could go on and on about all the adventure we have had on the Bigfork, but it doesn't change the fact that those memories are lost to time and the only record is what I have recorded on this blog...that no one reads.
TTFN
Until then I will forever remain...Crazy Joe.
This year is going to be a great learning experience for the entire family in so many ways. Sure we have all camped together, however, never before have we split up with our own gear to tackle a watery trail as our means to our destination. We are going to have six people, with three canoes and only half of us have had experience at being the Captain in the rear of the vessel; yet that is only a fraction of what my kids will have to learn on this trip. Oh yes...there is a lot more.
Well, as I sit here and think about the trip that is going to come up this year, I know we are going to have more than just three canoes because The General is going to be coming along with us as well as possibly Radar and Johnny Rambo...I hope. That would mean we would possibly have five canoes on the trip. One short of our record of six. The only difference is that four of the ten people would be underage, and we haven't had that since Stebe and Adam were on the trip. But that isn't going to matter much because there are going to be a lot of pros on the trip this year to teach them how to canoe and camp.
This has got me thinking...maybe The General's idea isn't all that bad. We live in a time where a lot of shit is going viral. I mean, in a recent conversation with a friend of mine from work, he said that one of the top paid people on Youtube this year was a kid, younger then Bug, who did reviews on toys he would play with and review. That is fucking crazy!! The kid made over a million dollars paying with fucking toys and giving his opinion on them. This has led me to think that we maybe onto something with our canoe trip. Well...at least for something to have some hits or something on it. If only we would have had a go-pro cam back in the day. Hell, we would be making some BANK!
I'm thinking about the times that Stuball rolled his kayak and kept his brew above water, or the time that Andy was launched out of his canoe and hugged a rock. And lets not forget about the time The General tipped over on the hill at the Doons. I could go on and on about all the adventure we have had on the Bigfork, but it doesn't change the fact that those memories are lost to time and the only record is what I have recorded on this blog...that no one reads.
TTFN
Until then I will forever remain...Crazy Joe.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Time Tests Everything
Just so we all know...this post was written in it's entirety on Dec. 8th, 2017, but posted on 1/12/2018 11:32 PM. CJ
Another day another dollar so what the hell does that mean? Not a whole lot in the grand scheme of things. I'm searching for the words to share, but they just don't seem to want to come. I guess what I'm getting at is that I miss the old days.
Like I said in the title, time tests everything. It goes for all that we know because no matter what all that we know and do is going to be something that is going to be forgotten or lost to the passage of time. Just imagine, if you can, billions of people have came before you and I, yet how many of them does history remember. You have to be someone that is special and has contributed to the betterment of society to be remembered through the passage of time. Well I'm hoping that is something that I can change to some extent. I want this trip that we take to go on and on well past my days of life. I want to do something at the Doons that can be savored for all that take time to make the passage. I want to leave my mark for all to see and share, but just pray that some asshole does not come along and fuck it up. The General and I have placed some plaques along the river, however, every time we return to the site we find that the plaques are gone because so shit fuck cock sucking asshole has taken them down for reasons I can imagine. Why couldn't people just leave them and maybe added to them like they do on the picnic tables and shit. People just don't get it anymore because they just live in the moment and don't realize that life is fleeting and not going to last forever.
Now I am a realist so I know that my memory probably isn't going to last forever, however, I do want to make an effort so that isn't forgotten. In my mind and heart I feel that this trip is going to be my legacy, and with some luck and the grace of God, it will last well beyond my life. My hope is that at least one of my kids carries on this tradition and passes it on to one of their kids. They can tell their kid that Grandpa started this trip back in 1996 on the Bigfork and he passed it on to me, now I'm passing it onto you. Then then...that child will pass it on to their kid and the story will go...Great Grandpa...you get the picture.
Something I hope happens is something The General and I spoke about over a few beers on many occasions. We talked about making a campsite on his land that the river runs through and calling it River Runner Camp Site. That would be something that is awesome. Something that would create a legacy for all those that pass to remember the people that made the Bigfork a home one weekend out of the year...every year. You know maybe, someday, The General and I will get around to realizing that dream an actually make it a reality. But then again, time tests everything.
I really want to make that camp site happen, but I just need The General to get on board with it so it can become a reality. I know we could do some awesome shit with our knowledge of how to landscape shit ya know. But that is something we need to discuss and make happen before it is too late. The General is slowing down and may not be able to make it happen anymore. Hehe...this is a little motivation for ya dude.
Yeah...getting back to legacy.
Duckie and I have left a little bit of a legacy at the Doons as many of you that have read all this shit know. We buried a bottle of Windsor at the Doons and have taken a swig from it every year we have been there...except for the last time in 2011. And if I'm going to be honest here...we haven't been back since her last time on the river. So 2010 is the last time we dug that bad-boy up and taken a swig. I actually wonder if that son of a bitch is still intact. I think I need to find out...even if Duckie isn't with me. Haha...
Another day another dollar so what the hell does that mean? Not a whole lot in the grand scheme of things. I'm searching for the words to share, but they just don't seem to want to come. I guess what I'm getting at is that I miss the old days.
Like I said in the title, time tests everything. It goes for all that we know because no matter what all that we know and do is going to be something that is going to be forgotten or lost to the passage of time. Just imagine, if you can, billions of people have came before you and I, yet how many of them does history remember. You have to be someone that is special and has contributed to the betterment of society to be remembered through the passage of time. Well I'm hoping that is something that I can change to some extent. I want this trip that we take to go on and on well past my days of life. I want to do something at the Doons that can be savored for all that take time to make the passage. I want to leave my mark for all to see and share, but just pray that some asshole does not come along and fuck it up. The General and I have placed some plaques along the river, however, every time we return to the site we find that the plaques are gone because so shit fuck cock sucking asshole has taken them down for reasons I can imagine. Why couldn't people just leave them and maybe added to them like they do on the picnic tables and shit. People just don't get it anymore because they just live in the moment and don't realize that life is fleeting and not going to last forever.
Now I am a realist so I know that my memory probably isn't going to last forever, however, I do want to make an effort so that isn't forgotten. In my mind and heart I feel that this trip is going to be my legacy, and with some luck and the grace of God, it will last well beyond my life. My hope is that at least one of my kids carries on this tradition and passes it on to one of their kids. They can tell their kid that Grandpa started this trip back in 1996 on the Bigfork and he passed it on to me, now I'm passing it onto you. Then then...that child will pass it on to their kid and the story will go...Great Grandpa...you get the picture.
Something I hope happens is something The General and I spoke about over a few beers on many occasions. We talked about making a campsite on his land that the river runs through and calling it River Runner Camp Site. That would be something that is awesome. Something that would create a legacy for all those that pass to remember the people that made the Bigfork a home one weekend out of the year...every year. You know maybe, someday, The General and I will get around to realizing that dream an actually make it a reality. But then again, time tests everything.
I really want to make that camp site happen, but I just need The General to get on board with it so it can become a reality. I know we could do some awesome shit with our knowledge of how to landscape shit ya know. But that is something we need to discuss and make happen before it is too late. The General is slowing down and may not be able to make it happen anymore. Hehe...this is a little motivation for ya dude.
Yeah...getting back to legacy.
Duckie and I have left a little bit of a legacy at the Doons as many of you that have read all this shit know. We buried a bottle of Windsor at the Doons and have taken a swig from it every year we have been there...except for the last time in 2011. And if I'm going to be honest here...we haven't been back since her last time on the river. So 2010 is the last time we dug that bad-boy up and taken a swig. I actually wonder if that son of a bitch is still intact. I think I need to find out...even if Duckie isn't with me. Haha...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)