The Time Has Arrived

Greetings True Believers...


Little Mama and I had quite an interesting discussion tonight.  The upcoming river trip is going to include our entire family from Bug to Crazy Joe and everyone in-between.  We want to get our kids totally involved in the tradition of the river so that they fall in love with the Bigfork as much as we have.  The joyful aspect is that they are already campers so this isn't going to be much of a challenge.  They are going to have one of the best times of their lives this spring and that isn't no boast because I'm not the type of man to make such claims.  I just know that this is going to be one of my best trips ever...which is saying a lot since I haven't missed a single year doing this other than 2007, but we all know that story


As most can guess we are going to have a majority of FNG's on the trip this year so I am going to need to make sure we have a safe float.  The sad thing is the only way to make this happen is to canoe a chunk of the river that doesn't have any rapids.  Now I say this is sad because it has been so many years since we have canoed any real rapids on the river and as most of you that read this shit know the rapids are a very special part of canoeing the Bigfork.  A vast majority of our great trips have been when we have shot the Doons, but with the level of skill in my kids I know it would be a very bad idea to try to take them down that stretch of the river.  Only a fucking  idiot would take their kids through the rapids without first giving them some experience in how to canoe.  Sure we have shot many-a-rapids with people that were FNG's before, however, all of those FNG's we adults and knew what the hell they were getting into.  Even if they didn't they would have enough of a general idea by the time we reached the rapids that they would be ok.  Nevertheless, I'm not going to have my kids do that until they have had time to learn how to handle a canoe.  In fact, on this year's trip, I will be the only one in the family that will have had any experience in steering a canoe at all. 


Little-Mama is going to helm a canoe with Wade in the front.  As far as I know he has never been canoeing before and doesn't really have the best sense of balance, so he is going to have to be with the person he trusts the most in this world, which of course would be his mom.  She will be able to keep him calm and centered without his anxiety getting the best of him.  There is just no way to put him with someone who doesn't have any experience.  The canoe that is going to be reserved for the least experienced is going to be the one that takes Logan and Serenity.


Logan has been on the river a few times so I think I'm going to have him helm the canoe he is in.  Serenity, or Renny, isn't going to be too thrilled about that but I don't really give a shit.  True she has been in a canoe a time or two before, yet she still has less experience in a canoe that Logan has had in his short life.  This is going to be something great for them because they are going to have to learn how to work together to make it happen.  I mean if I have learned anything about canoeing it is this...people in the same canoe need to be on the same page or some funky shit is going to go down.  If you can't communicate and work as a team you are going to risk your gear and possibly other shit you are carrying that is vital to the trip.  Well to be honest, I'm not going to put anything in their canoe that could get soggy or lost that is going to effect the trip other than their clothes, sleeping bags and possibly tent.  I may be crazy but my Mama didn't raise no fool.


As most of you can probably guess the last canoe is going to have Bug and myself in it.  This is a no brainer as I have already taken Bug with me on the trip and he feels safe with me in the back.  But regardless of that it only makes sense to put the weakest paddler with the strongest.  On this year's trip he paddled but I did a majority of the work.  It is not like I minded because I knew that he is going to get better each year and eventually be able to take my place in the back to where I can just kick back and sip a brew or two while he does most of the work.  I'm thinking  about the future, yet there is a problem


I'm really hoping that Ducky and The Bartender can make this year's trip.  It been way too many fucking years since they have traveled the Bigfork that I'm afraid they maybe have forgotten their love...well Ducky's at least.  I hold no ill will against The Bartender, however, he has only taken the trip twice so he hasn't had the time to bond like some of us have had over the years.  Still, if they come then that means I will have to buy another canoe for sure because as it sits right now I only have access to three canoes, mine, Ducky's, and The General's Rebel.  Even still, I'm sure I could find someone that has a canoe I could borrow so I'm not all that worried.  This leads me to consider the other River Runners.


I'm sure The General is going to make the trip as well as Johnny Rambo and Radar.  With any luck we can get The Rev and possibly Dishman and his new wife to join us on this crazy traditional adventure.  I would also love to get Digger and her new man on the trip, but I just don't see that happening.  I'm not going to go into that because I feel I have already covered that.  I have better things to discuss.




I know in one of my posts before this year's trip I was all against having "kids" on the trip and got some flack from some people...although to be honest I have no idea who it was that was pissed at me because I heard it through a "third party" and those people have yet to air their grievances with me.  However, I don't really give a flying fiddler's fuck because if they don't have the guts to confront me to my face then I guess they are just trying to start shit that I'm not going to be a part of since I just don't fucking care.  People can be pissed about what rules I want to enforce on a trip and then get pissed because I break the same rules I wanted to enforce but I just don't fucking care.  I started this tradition with Brother John, Snakes and Stueball, however, being that I am the only motherfucker that has made the trip every year since its inception I think I should have a little more pull that anyone else.  I think I have earned it.  Nevertheless, that doesn't mean I'm not willing to listen to what others have to say as long as they let me know.  The only reason I broke the "not kids" rule this year is because there really wasn't anyone else to go with me on the trip because they had other obligations.  Looking back I wouldn't change this year's trip for anything.  I know Bug will never forget his first time on the Bigfork with his old man.


Man I would love to tell ya all a story from some of the insane trips from the past, however, I think I will save that for a later date...until then I will forever remain...Crazy Joe.  

Passing The Torch...Kinda...

"Building a house of fire baby
 Building it with our love..."
Alice Cooper




Once again  I sit here in my dining room trying to think of a way to begin.  What do I write?  What do I discuss?  What the fuck do I do. 


Ok, let me discuss the trip this year. 


It turned out that the only two to make the trip this year was me...big surprise...and my youngest child Brennett.  My wife could not make it because of work, The General could not make it because he was picking up a new dog, Brother John and Radar had work, Ducky and Bartender just couldn't swing it because of family life...which is all good.  Nevertheless, I made sure the tradition wasn't lost because I want my kids to carry on this tradition when I can't do it anymore.  I want them to make this trip something that is important to them just like it is to me after I am no longer able to do it.  But beyond that I want them to make this something that they can pass on to their kids like I am going to do to them.  I'm just happy that I have kids that I can pass this tradition onto to make sure it becomes something bigger than me.  Ok, I'm digressing lol...


Like I said before Bug and I were the only ones to carry on the tradition of The Bigfork River Runners tradition.  I had most of the gear ready on the 25th of May so that when I finished work on the 26th and he got done with school we would only have a few things to toss into our truck before heading to Harrilson  Camp Site.  We headed there because The General said that would be a great place to start since Brother John had never canoed that part of the river...(this was back when I though there would be more than just Bug and I on the trip).  I was still under the impression that The General and Brianna were going to be joining use on the river. 


The night before we left The General said that him and Brianna would meet us there Saturday morning to take the trip with us.  I found out the following night that they were only going to canoe the day because of the new dog.  It was suppose to get chilly Saturday night and he didn't want to have to worry about his new puppy.  I could understand that because the puppy cost a pretty penny.   I wouldn't want to have to worry about a dog that cost that much after only a day of having it, so it was all good.  Bug and I were still looking forward to taking a trip down the river with The General and Brianna.  Anyway,Bug and I got to Harrilson and proceeded to make camp. 


We set up my old Spider Tent and I got busy making some firewood with my new chainsaw while Bug unloaded the gear we would need for the evening.  We didn't unload all of our gear because the landing at Harrilson is about 100 yards from the campsite.  I knew we were going to have to move all of our stuff to the landing in the morning when Mom and Dad brought our canoe in the morning.  We cooked some dogs and I sipped a few brews...it was the perfect start to another River Runner Weekend. 


To many the evening was non-eventful, however, it was a memory that neither Bug or I will ever forget.  It was his first time on the Bigfork and it was my first time taking one of my children on the trip.  It was nothing short than a thing of beauty. 


After we got up we made some simple grub so we didn't have dishes and then packed up camp to take to the landing while we waited for my folks and my niece and nephew to show up with mine and Bug's ride. 


To be continued...

Less Than 12 Hours To Go

The clock is winding down to the beginning of the 22nd Annual Memorial Weekend Canoe Trip.  It is officially official that Bug and I are going to be the only ones to go this year.  I think it is going to be a grand adventure for both of us.  I just wish we could have gotten The Tank for the trip as I am still trying to wrap my head around how the hell I'm going to get all of our gear into the Core Craft.  I just don't know what I could leave behind that we really don't need to free up space in the canoe.  About all I can think of is one of the lanterns and the table.  Both of which don't take up a lot of room, however, the table does add a little weight.  I'm pretty sure that Little Minnow has a picnic table there and with just the two of us we shouldn't need the camping table yet on the flip side I would hate to get there and have no table at all.  Still that isn't the biggest problem.  The biggest problem is the coolers.


I would like to bring two average sized coolers on the trip.  One for drinks and the other for food, but the reality is that I only have room for one of them because I need room for the mess kit.  The mess kit has all we need for cooking along with our dry food storage.  There isn't a way around leaving it behind so it has to come with us.  I all reality I could bring the two coolers and the mess kit, however, I then wouldn't have room for the other gear like clothes, sleeping bags, tent, cots, chairs and the few other dry bags with odds and ends in them.  In some ways I wish Ducky's canoe had license on it so I could take that one.  I believe that it does have a little more space in it which would make the loading of gear a lot easier.  I do have a smaller cooler that I could potentially use for the food, but that doesn't leave me a lot of room for other items ya know. 


I think I have got it figured out on how I'm going to load all the gear into our canoe.  I'm going to keep a lot of the weight, big cooler and mess kit, towards the front to counter the weight difference between myself and Bug.  I'm going to take the little cooler in the back with me along with the gear in the dry-bags.  I think that should give us a good balance and free up a little extra space.  I should also be able to put a few things in front of Bug as he is just a little guy and would have room at the bow of the canoe.  Nevertheless, all this could be simplified if The General would let me borrow The Tank.


I did request to use it, but he said he may take a day trip with one of my cousin's kids.  I would be willing to bet that he wants to take the trip in his canoe because he would also be brining he new puppy Oliver with him.  Having a puppy in a tippy canoe would not be a wise thing as the potential to take a chilly dip in the river is eminent.  I may give him a jingle tonight and see if they would like to make the same run we are doing so they can stop and say hello and then be on their merry way. 


Well it is almost time for Bug and I to head out.  Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe.

Still No Word From The General

I look at the clock and see that it is only 54 hours until I'm done with my work week and headed home to start the 22nd Annual Memorial Weekend Bigfork River Runner's Canoe Trip and I still have yet to hear from The General.  This is getting to be so damn frustrating not having any clue as to what is going to happen over the  next few days.  I hate that he is keeping me in the dark about everything.  I'm about ready to just say FUCK IT and just plan the trip with Bug and I in mind, planning out the food and what gear we are going to need to bring to make it a successful, relaxing trip.  But there is a problem...canoe space.


I have a nice sized canoe, however, it is a tad limited when it comes to space for gear.  Having done this trip many times over I'm a pro at loading gear into a canoe insuring the load is balances, nevertheless, I feel I'm already at a maximum limit for space consumption and don't really know if I have the space for some of the extras we would need to make the trip.  What I'm thinking is stove, white-gas and the Power-Bow-Saw...AKA chainsaw.  I could possibly get away with a simple one burner stove as it would only be Bug and I, however, I really don't want to leave my chainsaw at home as it is a great tool for making wood for the fire.  There have been trips we have had it and trips we haven't, let's just say we always had better fires when we had a chainsaw to help cut our wood. 


UPDATE:  5/25/2017




On a different note, we finally broke the news to Bug that he was going to get to go on the trip this year...let's just say he was very excited to say the least.  Logan didn't take it too well as I knew he wouldn't.  I think he is feeling like he is being left out, but that is very far from the case.  He has already been able to go on the river a time or two and Bug has only had one opportunity.  If all goes well this weekend, with Bug that is, I'm actually thinking about making this a family canoeing trip every year to get them into the tradition.  If that is the case, then we would need to find some more canoes.  As of right now I only have two canoes, well one is Ducky's canoe, but I know I could use it anytime I want, still that leaves me one canoe short for my entire family. 


It is going to be interesting to see how well Bug does with paddling a canoe this weekend.  He is a little small for his age, however, he makes up for it with pure will and determination.  We do have a small set of rapids to go through, however, I have went through them a couple of times already and they weren't nothing compared to Highway One or The Muldoons.  He needs a few years in a canoe before I allow him, or any of the kids for that matter, to go through them. 


Well I sent The General a text to see what is up, but haven't gotten anything back from him.  I at least hope he goes to the river land and puts some paddles under my canoe so I can go get them tomorrow night after school, along with the canoe of course.  Tonight is going to be all about collecting our gear and getting the Expedition loaded for tomorrow night. 


Like every year, I start to prep my gear the weekend before the trip and do bits and pieces here and there throughout the week.  Nevertheless, come Thursday night, it is assholes and elbows to get all the gear ready and loaded into the Expedition. 


Over the years I have gotten a lot better and packing because I learned long ago to make a list and check the items off as they go into the truck and/or its respective tote.  The big one is the mess-kit as it contains all we need for cooking the meals.  I think I have got it narrowed down as to what I all want to pack in it for the trip.  One pot, two pans, small ones that don't eat up a lot of room.  I don't think I'm going to bring the coffee pot this year because I haven't had a cup of coffee in over a month and I don't really drink all that much on the trip anyways.  Leaving that out also means  that I don't have to bring any coffee ground with to make the shit.  I'm also thinking about only bringing one of the large pots used to boil water for dishes.  Dishes are going to be minimal in light of only a few people going on the trip. 


Well,  The General is officially out of the trip this year.  He just got a new puppy and has a messed up shoulder from an accident last dear season.  He is afraid that once he gets a ways down the river his shoulder may give out meaning he is going to be screwed trying to paddle a canoe.  I can see his logic, but it still kind of stinks because there is now only two of us.  Well, this isn't the only time there has only been two people on the trip.  One year it was just Regina and myself and the other one was with Ducky.  I did ask if I could use The Tank this year, just waiting to hear back from him.  I hope he says yes because it will make things a lot easier for Bug and I as we will have a shit-ton of room for all the gear we need.  Not to mention that the canoe is very stable and would be very hard for the little guy to tip it. 


With only two of us going a lot has changed.  I'm going to need to bring the Coleman stove and fuel.  I think I may need another 50 feet of rope and two more LP tanks for the lanterns.  I was only going to bring one lantern, but without anyone else coming, I'm going to bring two of them.  The rope is going to be for the tarp we are going to need to put up for a rain-fly around camp.  This way if it rains we don't have to hole-up in the tent to stay dry. 


Man I am getting really excited for this trip!


I'm thinking that two coolers should be enough for us.  One is going to have the soda and beer and the other will have water and food.  With just the two of us, the food isn't going to take up a whole lot of space.  I know I am going to have to add a few items to the food list that I didn't have before, like some milk, sausage and hash browns.  I suppose that is all going to be taken care of this evening when Bug and I go to the store to shop for what we are going to need. 


On shitty thing about this trip that I just thought of is that we are going to have to do all the work ourselves.  Granted there isn't going to be a ton of work that we have to do, it is still enough were we are both going to be somewhat busy making and breaking camp.  The good thing is that we are not going to have to rely on anyone else to get going, we can go at our own pace. 


This is going to be a challenge for little Bugsy because he will have never had all this work that he needs to do himself.  He may have to build the fire and gather wood.  He is going to have to help with setting up the tent and the tarp rain-fly.  He will have to do the dishes and help cook the meals.  In short he is going to have to do a lot of work, but that is a lot of what river camping is all about. 


I suppose it is time for me to go for now.  Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe.

One Week From Tonight...And Then a Few Nights Closer.

One week to go and it looks like there will be only three of us on the trip unless The General can find someone to go.  I have put the word out on Facebook but like the loser's people are I haven't gotten a bite.  Or maybe I'm the loser? 


Bug and I checked out the first camp site tonight and she looks to be pretty good.  There are a lot of dead trees around that I think I could whack up for other campers.  You know, leave something behind for the next camper to appreciate.  Even though in this day an age the next person may just take it for granted that there will always be wood there or even worse...expect it. 


This is where we launched from last year.



This isn't our favorite spot to put in on the Bigfork, but it is nice for its close access.

A view of the steps from the Highway Six Bridge.

 

 

The General and Gary launching.



Radar and Jess putting the finishing touches on their gear.



Johnny Rambo always goofing off.



We are off.

Some say that no plan survives first contact, and to that I say bullshit, because over the years our plans have came together like a beautiful union between the moon and tide, this year, however, is a totally different story. 

I'm thinking that John maybe out this year as I haven't gotten a clear read from The General yet.  One text message says he is in, the other says he is out and still another says he doesn't know.  It is almost like trying to get a straight answer from a woman when you ask her which pair of shoes she likes best.  So that means it would be down to just The General and I, while it would be a fun trip, it is always better when there is a group instead of just two.  This is where my wife stepped in.

Just the other day she suggested that I take Brennett, our youngest on the trip this year.  I hmmmed and haaawed about it a little bit.  He is the youngest out of the family, however, being the youngest he has kind of gotten the shaft on a lot of opportunities just because of his age.  He did have the pleasure of coming on a canoe trip some years ago, however, during that trip he was just a little boy in the middle of a canoe with little to no responsibility other than to just sit and stay balanced.  On this trip though, he would be expected to paddle some as he would have the front seat in the Core Craft.  I think it may upset my two other kids, Serenity and Logan, because he would get to do something they haven't yet.  I'm thinking that maybe next year we just take the whole damn family on this thing if we are not going to have anymore participation from some of the regular crew. 

In some ways I'm feeling that maybe The General is going to pull the plug on this year and not make it either.  If he did it would be shitty, yet it would not be a deal-breaker.  The only difference would be that I would have to make some adjustments as to the gear that I am going to bring as I would have to plan for a few more items in my canoe that I was planning on not bringing because of the small amount of people going.  I would also have to take into account more food by me because I was hoping to split some of it with The General.  I guess I'm a little frustrated this year. 

I hate that it seems like this year just can't get off the ground.  The trip is going to happen one way or another because this is something I refuse to give up or let go.  We are so close to making it a quarter century that I can't let it go and die when we are within a few years of the goal.  

As I am sitting her writing this, I going over in my head all that I'm going to need to make this trip happen and how in the hell I'm going to be able to get all of my gear into my 17 food Core Craft canoe.  If The General dose not come, maybe he will let me take the Tank as it would provide Bug and I an extra three feet of space for the gear we will need to bring.  I mean I'm going to have to go to the River Land in order to get my canoe and the paddles as we just chose to store everything there since it was easiest over the years.       

5/23/2017 8:57 PM  Update

Well I briefly spoke to The General today and it seems he has to be in the cities at 1 PM on Friday, which is two hours before I get off from work.  This means that he won't be at the campsite until really late, if he even comes to the site.  He may choose to just stay at the Rive Cabin and drive over in the morning.  Now I'm not sure if Brother John is going to be with him or not because when I spoke with him John was still waiting to see how late he may have to work on Friday, meaning he isn't going to be up any earlier than Richie.  I told him that I planned to camp at Harrison and spend the night in the tent with Brennett.  We still haven't told him that he is going to be able to come with this year.

I'm not sure why I have waited to tell Bug that he is going to get to go canoeing this year.  I guess I don't want to have to deal with the bitching from the other kids.  I'm thinking it could be fun to take him, but then again it would be kind of nice to just go on my own and just chill for an evening in the woods alone.  Decisions decisions...

I think I said I want to take a lot of pictures this year and put them up on the blog site.  Since Ducky has quit coming that aspect of the blog has went down the crapper.  I'm just not that much of a picture person, I suppose I could use my phone this year as I will be bringing it along for the ride.  I'm just so damn scared I'm going to drop the damn thing in the river and have to go get a new one lol.  That would be just my luck.  Not going to think about that.  I just have to be careful.

The problem with using your phone as a means to take pictures is that it tends to suck down the battery.  My Glorified Charger isn't taking a charge from the wall anymore so I'm down to trying to use my pocket juice things.  Problem is I can only find one of them right now.  As long as I can keep a good charge going, then I think I will be alright for taking pictures.  I suppose when we are not in the canoe, Bug can be the one to shoot some pics.  I know he will like that. 

DAMN I FUCKING HATE THIS!!! 

Never before have we been this close to the trip without a solid game plan in place.  I don't know who is coming and when which means I have no idea on what food I need to pack/plan for.  I'm really considering keeping things very simple for this year.  Dogs and bratwurst for sure.  I'm going to try to get sausage links and I'm not sure if I'm going to put eggs in a container or just leave them in the carton.  I know cartons get soggy, but with barely any people I don't think I'm going to need the big container as I will only have to bring a dozen eggs.  I don't plan on making much of a breakfast on Saturday morning because I don't want to have to do any dishes .  I may bring a couple of loafs of bread for sandwiches we can make Saturday morning for something to snack on.  Of course I'm going to bring stiff for River Spuds, that is a must, however, I think I'm only going to bring five or six potatoes and just do a small batch.

I plan on only two cooler, the mess kit with some extra items in it.  Two sleeping bags and two cots.  One tent, the Spider Tent and three chairs.  I like to have a chair in the tent for sitting and using as a make-shit dresser.  We will have a clothes bag and a shoe bag.  We will need a couple of rain jackets and one lantern.  I also have the utility tote which has the odds and ends like extra stakes, rope, propane tanks and some other odds and ends.  I will need at least two tarps, maybe three...not sure yet.  I'm not going to bring my Coleman stove or an extra gallon of gas for it.  I see no need as The General will have his propane one and we will only have four people.  I'm not going to bring my saw unless The General comes and has room in The Tank.  I will have an ax, shovel and maybe a bow saw, just got to remember it from the Cabin. 

The Core Craft.

That is a lot of gear to put into the canoe, but I'm confident that I can do it, I have done it before, however, I have never had a rookie like Bug before.  All he needs to do is keep himself centered and paddle when and on what side when I tell him to. 

Well, I think I am done for the night.  Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe!

Trying to Keep a Tradition Alive!

Need some tunes...that's better.


What the hell is happening to the River Runners?  We used to be such a strong pack.  We used to be a group we could count on every year to make the trip to just have some adult fun and enjoy the pleasure to Northern Minnesota.  What the fuck happened to us?


We are no longer that awesome group of people that hooked up once a year to float the coolest river in the state.  No one wants to go on the fucking trip anymore because...well I don't know why.  We always had such a great time just being with each other and enjoying the rustic views that the river offers.  Now everyone seems to be too damn busy with life and all that shit that come with it during the modern age.  You know what people?  Life is going to go on and there is always the following weekend or the rest of the fucking year to do what you want to do.  It is ok to take a little fucking time for yourselves to kick back, relax and has to freakin' fun.  Yet...so many people now-a-days don't see or realize that concept. 


I just don't get it...


People forget...that is the answer.  PEOPLE FORGET!! 

We live in a time where we are supposed to put everything towards our children or whatever the hell we are supposed to put our efforts for some damn thing.  Yet during that time we forget to think about ourselves.  We need this little breaks.  These little reprieves from our busy ass lives to just take a little bit of time for ourselves.  We need to have a break from the everyday shit that life just throws at us from day to day, week to week, month to month.   That is exactly what the canoe trip is about.  A time to get away from it all and just let loose and have some well deserved fun.  Fuck me!


Now that I think about it...I really don't fucking care anymore.  Sure I have had a few beers tonight but you know what, to hell with all them bitches that don't want to do this anymore.  To those that make excuses as to why they "CAN'T" make it this year I say FUCK YOU!!  You are passing up a great opportunity to just have a little GD fun.  Your loss, not mine. 


This year I'm going to make some memories that are going to last me a lifetime.  I'm going to do something that I have never done before.  I want to make this trip something that is memorable to the end.  Hahahahha...year I guess we will see.


I'm not some kind of fucking idealist that thinks I can capture what we had many years ago when we were all young and full of the shit that makes young people go.  I know that will never be what it used to be, however, I do know that even in our old age we will be able to have some of the fun that we used to have.  We can  never go back to the days when we had youth, yet we can still enjoy this thing we call life.


You don't know how it feels to be me...


You know what, I don't need anyone to keep this shit alive but me.  As long as I can get my fat ass into a canoe I am going to make this trip, even  if I am the only one to do it.  No one is going to stop me from taking this trip on Memorial Weekend.  That is the beauty of this trip.  I know that someday when my kids become old enough to make this trip that are going to carry on the tradition and this trip is going to make it to 100 years.  This is year 22, so they only have 78 to go. 


Until the next time I write I will FOREVER REMAIN...Crazy Joe.

The Pussy Trip Part One

This was once again a trip for the ages...lol.  We did it all in a lap of luxury that few of us have known on this trip.  This is the first and with anyluck the only time we ever have a camper on the annual Mermorial Weekend Canoe Trip!!  It was in some ways an obscene gesture at to what we are all about.  We are a group to hit the river and take whatever whe wants to toss at us...though this year was a farce.  An imitation!  A joke on all we stand for!!

As I have mentioned before in this blog we are doing the entire Bigfork River, from source to end!   To do that we either need to be single people with no responsibility or we need to be people that can manage time to make the most of what we have.  In other words there are some that can pick a year to make the memories of a lifetime and those that have to nurture a family and wisht that someday we could make the journey as a faimily for a few years to do when we all have nothing better to do than canoe the river.

BBD

Question for all you fucking assholes that read my stupid fucking shit...

Traditons Are a Bitch!!

Oh my goodness, this year is going to be the 22nd Memorial Weekend canoe trip.  That is just a crazy thing.  Never did I think we were going to make this year, ye, here are.   It has been a shit-tacular ride over the past few years.   All these rules and regulations have  come into play.  Well...fuck that!  I am so fucking sick of all the political shit that is going on in our country that I am so looking forward to being able to get away form everything and spend some sweet ass time on the river.  Fuck me...
Wow...it has been some time since I have wrote one here, too damn long.  I suppose it is because there hasn't been a lot of shit happening on the River.  I mean we have had the same fucking people on the river since Ducky, Bartender and Digger came on the trip.  The only fucking FNG has been Radar's gal, but I think I have mentioned something about that.  Damn...need some tunes...


"Hunger Strike..."


It is truly amazing what age brings a person...so much wisdom.  How many of us wish we could go back in time and wish we would have done something different in our past?  If you are reading this and say no then u are among the few that have lived a life of minimal mistakes...or one of privilege. 


Fucking blogger is not allowing me to edit my shit without making me retype all kinds of shit.  I try to delete shit but then it just goes over the words I have already wrote.  Kiss my fucking ass.


Well, Ducky should be over her time of growth with getting married and birthing a couple of kids.  We have talked some about this year's trip and she has said her and Bartender are going to be on the river this year.  I hope this can become a reality because I have missed her so much on the trip.  It was, at one time, a time when we could get together and just hang out for a weekend and be brother and sister like we used to be.  I'm not saying we are not close, but I just feel like as life has progressed that her and I, along with other people from my past, have grown apart because of all that shit that life throws at ya you know. 


First we lost Jake and Aaron...RIP Jake...and them Dishman and The Rev.  Digger held on for a year or two and Radar was in there a time or two before the Army.  Nevertheless, Radar has been there since Ducky and Bartender left, so that is all good.  Still I have to say that I do miss having The Mule and Mini-Hulk kicking it with us.  Really I just miss all the great people that have been on the trip that has made it so fucking awesome.  I would like for nothing better than to get everyone, including something of Jake's, back on the river for the trip.  When I say t his I do mean all of the people that have earned to right to be a Bigfork RiverRunner...people that have only made the trip once do not count as they cannot claim to be someone who truly appreciates the river.  


We have Angela, Stebe and Adam...who only made it once which just happened to be Duckly's first time and their only.  We also have the Dick-Doc and  Sandra who were only worthy of one trip because they just could not handle being FNGs.  It has been so long I can not remember if Pinner made the first two trips or not, however, I know he was on one of them but because he grew up in the North just like I did so he is a true River Runner...and the fact he grew up on the Bigfork does help his credibility. 


You know what is fucking awesome?  My kids are almost at the age of being ready to go on this trip with the Big Dogs...lol.


I do want to bring them onto the Bigfork River this year for a family camping trip...other than the one we do with just chilling and doing some fishing in a boat or on the awesome Pontoon that The General and Jane gave Little Mama and I for our wedding. 


Damn, it is getting late but I just don't want to hit the hay because I feel I have some much to say on here.  I know there are some stories I could tell from the trip yet I'm not sure what else I could say. 


Until next time I will remain...Crazy  Joe.

And the Countdown Begins...

Well I'm sitting her chomping at the bit to be done with another day of school.  Not much happens these last few days as the kids have finished all their assignments and are sitting with me, playing the waiting game.  The groups are set, The General and Gary are taking the Tank, Radar and Jess are floating in his canoe and Johnny Rambo and I are paddling the Core Craft.  I was hoping to be soloing it this year just for the simple fact that I just wanted to float a bit on my own and reflect on the past school year.  Still, I am happy to have Johnny in my canoe as that old bastard has the best balance of anyone in the group.  I have watched John do balancing acts in a canoe that would make an Olympic Gymnist jealous. 


As I was sitting in my room today, working on cleaning up the walls and bulletin boards I started to think about canoeing the entire Bigfork River in one shot.  I figure it would take a least two solid weeks to complete the journey.  This would also include spending nights at most of the camp sites along the way.  This would be a family trip with my wife and four kids, however, any other River Runner that wanted to join sure the heck could.  I figure that would have to wait for at least another three years so Bug has some time to grow and get stronger. 


The one thing that I want to come from this year's trip is a good story to tell.  I know for a fact we are going to get our shit wet because the weather is calling for a shit-load of rain on both Friday and Saturday.  My plan of taking off Friday night fell through because The General and Johnny will be the only ones there by the time I make it to the 140 tomorrow night.  I know it would have been assholes and elbows to get things loaded and moving on down the river.  I think it would have made for one hell of an adventure, but I feel the older crew is not so keen on pushing themselves anymore.  I suppose I will be that way when I hit my fifties also. 


I have a few things left to get ready tonight.  Some clothes and a few other minor items that are just waiting to get put into the car for the trip to Effie tomorrow night.  I just have a feeling, as I do almost every year, that I am forgetting something.  I suppose I will remember about a mile down the river and then the General will have some quip to make about my forgetfulness.  Oh well...


I guess I'm done for now as the bell is going to ring and I have things to do tonight.  Sorry this post is kind of boring, but tis better than no post.


Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe.

Year 21 and counting...

Greetings to all that take to time to read the crap I have to say.  Well, we are getting ever so closer to that time of year when we take our little journey down the Bigfork.  We are less than 72 hours away from when we are going to me at The General's 140 on the Bigfork to prep for the float.  Normally we take off on the Friday of Memorial Weekend, however, this year I was not able to get the day off from work as it is going to be the last day of school with students at RLHS.  In year's past I have been able to schedule a doctor's appointment that day for one of my children so I can take them to their appointment and then head for the river.  We all know that life doesn't always happen the way we want so we have to make due with the cards we are dealt.  This brings me to the topic of this post's discussion.


Like every year I have been keeping a close tab on the Bigfork's water level as well as the weather prediction for the weekend.  As I  mentioned before we had an early spring so the water level is way down this year.  Currently she is only kicking out 685 cubic feet per second at the measuring station in Big Falls.  On average she should be between 1500 to 2000 CFPS which usually make for less paddling and more leisurely canoeing.  On the flip side of that the forecast is calling for rain the rest of the week up until Friday, however, Saturday is calling for a 90% chance of rain and storms.  According to this year's plan,  that is the time we are planning on being on the river.  With the rain during the week the Bigfork is going to come up but that doesn't change the fact that we are going to have rain on Saturday.


I have been kicking around the idea of maybe just getting on the river late Friday and paddling our happy asses down to the Easy Half camp site that evening so we can have base camp made before the rain decides to show up.  The problem with this is we are going to have to bust some ass Friday night to make it to Easy Half before it gets dark, but that also means we won't have to paddle in the rain and make camp in the rain.  We have done both before, so it really isn't a big deal, nevertheless, not paddling in the rain is always a plus.  The weather is looking to be warm so we won't have to worry about getting too cold on Saturday, but still...do we want to canoe in the rain?


A lot of the plan is going to depend on the conversation I have with The General in the next coming evenings.  I need to touch base with him on some of the logistics of the trip so we can really put together a great plan for this year.  I suppose the part of me that wants to put in on Friday is because it is going to provide a bit of a challenge to this year's trip as we are going to have to really bust some ass to make the ten miles to Easy Half before dark.  I know we can do it, but does The General want to do it.  I will have to get back to you on that one.


As the title suggest, this is going to be the 21st Annual River Runner Canoe Trip.  I just can't believe we have been doing this for 21 years.  It sometimes seems like only yesterday that we were just getting this thing off the ground and making it a yearly tradition.  We have had so many great people come and go on the trip that it is truly a joy to remember.  I honestly hope that I am able to make this trip again and again for another 21years.  By that time I know some or all of my kids will become a part of the tradition for in 21 years my youngest will be in his late twenty's.  That would make me 62 and only five years away from retirement.  It is my goal this summer to finally initiate my kids on the joys of canoeing.


My wife, Emily, and I are planning to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary on the Bigfork this year with our four kids.  We are planning on making the same run we are doing for this year's Memorial Weekend trip.  It is an easy stretch of river with no rapids and soft current to get them the experience they need.  Logan and Bug have already had the pleasure of canoeing the Bigfork over the last few years, however, this time around it would just be the Marthaler family and no one else.  This means it will be Serenity and Wade's first time on the Bigfork.  They have expressed interest in canoeing, but just haven't had the chance to go.  This is all pending on me being able to borrow two canoe's from The General, but I don't really see that as being much of a problem. 


Well, I'm going to be needing to get to some other work so I will say TTFN


Until next time I will forever remain...Crazy Joe

What the fuck happened to us?

Damn, it has been a long ass fucking time since I posted on our blog.  The great thing about this web shit is that my words will be here forever and a day...as long as there is a web I suppose.  It is tough to put into words the reason's as to why I have not been on here recording our events as of the last few years.  To be honest the trip has become a bit stale as of the last years.  It has made me often wonder why this has become something that isn't what it used to be.  That fucking fun killer  LIFE has become the bane of the RiverRunners existence. 
Not don't get me wrong, life is a ride that needs to be rode and experienced with all the joy that has to be offered to a person, however, sometimes the bitch gets in the way of tradition and puts a fucking chink into the damn mix.  Over the last five years we have lost so many of the regulars to the casualty that is life that the trip has not been the same.  Mini-Hulk and Mule have had their trio of kids and have not been back since the year of 2010, fuck me that blows the mind.  I didn't realize that it has been six year since we had the Mule on the trip to carry our shit.  Yet I did say that the lest few years have been shitty. 


Digger, Ducky and The Bartender left us the following year.  Digger found herself a new man who made her the center of his life, not that I'm taking anything away from Dishman...but he did fuck up...but I digress.  Ducking got married, bought a house, had a couple of kids and now has to work this fucking year so she will not be joining us AGAIN.  I harbor no ill-will, but I do miss having my best friend on the trip.  This leads me to this year.


I guess I should catch all up to the point where we are now in the chronology of the trip.  Remember awhile ago I said we were gong to canoe the entire Bigfork River, well, we are eight miles short of hitting that mark, however, I just don't want to finish the bitch yet.  We need to get some of the original crew back to finish  the sonofabitch.  I know we are not going to get all of the originals back, but some of the people that have made the trip more than once. 


I need to share something with all those that read...last year in the month of October we lost one of the OG River Runners.  My little brother Jake "The Snake" Cleath took his life for reasons I can't explain.  This year's trip is going to be in Memoriam of my little brother from another mother. 


I just had a hell-of-an-idea...I should get in touch with Big Dog and see if he want's to take Snake's place this year for the trip.  Maybe we could make the trip that we did on the first year.  We could start from highway one and then slip our way to the Busti bridge like we did on the first year of the trip.  This would be something cool as it could be in memory of the OG RR Snakes.  Although, a lot of that is up to Mother Nature.


We had a very early spring and the Bigfork popped close to six weeks ago which means the river level will be low unless we have a lot of rain..  A  low river is going to make the rapids really, really  tough this year.  So I don't fucking know.


I suppose I could get to what has been happening the  last few years.


Until then I will remain Crazy Joe...

Spank a weasel and call it Suzy...just kidding.

DISCLAIMER:  This is something I wrote last year that wouldn't publish last year because of my shitty computer.


"Yo ho ho and a bottle of Brass Monkey" Beastie Boys 1986

Where to start...I think I have used that opening a time or two, but seeing how it can be a timeless question that we have all asked ourselves at one time when faced with an obsticle of whatever proportion, I feel it is aptly used here. What a fricken summer, way too short to be sure. I felt like I blinked twice and "boom!" found myself back in the classroom looking at the calander and wishing it was once again the end of May so I can hit the Bigfork with the rest of the gang to have a little fun. But alas here it is only September and the Canoe Trip is but a glimmering dream in a far distant future.

Regretfully, the General and I were not able to canoe the entire river this summer like we had hopped to do. It basically boiled down to me not having the time to do it because of obligations at home witht he family. We were, however, able to get back on her one more time and go for a ride, this time taking my seven year old son, whose nicname is now "Lt. Logan" for his first ride down the river. I will have to get to that story sometime in the future, but for know I'm just going to stick to a little overview until I find that need to write because it is what and how I do thing. If that makes any sense.

We did make the choice for next year's trip to pick up where we left off this year, at his river property and travel down some new territory. It will be fun for sure, the only thing it will lack are rapids. The next set of rapids come in the form of Bigfalls, and the name should tell all. This is stuff that only someone with a lot of balls or a lot of stupidity would try, and do it in a kayak or white water raft. I'm really excited to see this part of the river since I have not ever saw it before. This is what one would call true virgin territory, kind of lack year was when the General and I took our trip from the source.

Well, Em wants the puter so I will say ta for now. Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe...AKA Cookie

Ok, so here I am...yippie-dippie-doo! No but seriously I need some fucking tunes if I'm going to comense to the ancient rite of writing to preserve for all mankind to review in the future. Hang on...that's better...a little Buckcherry...Crazy Bitch. Oh yeah...

Anyway, man it has been way too fucking long. I guess writing is a thing of mood, at least that is what it is for me. I'm not sure why it has been so damn long since I took to the keyboard and put some thoughts on this blog. I guess maybe it's because we don't have a lot of people that read this stuff. I suppose an audience would be more of an incentive but that is taking the bullshit way out because I should write just for the hell of writing.

Well last year was a bit of something crazy since there was only four of us that dared to take the trip on the Bigfork. We left from The General's 140 and made it to Easy-Half Campsite and there we stayed. We had planned to make it a little farther than that, but the weather decided to be a mega-bitch and kicked our ass with a shitload of rain and chilly temps. Now when you have been on the Bigfork as much as I have on the same weekend every year, ya learn a thing or two about the patterns that develope while trying to have a weekend of relaxation and fun. I can feel it in my bones when the weather is going to hold shitty for a majority of the trip and the best damn thing to do is to make an altercation to the plans and stay in one spot. So that is what we did.

  We took off Friday morning in the rain, made it the Easy-Half, our first destnation and stopped to pitch camp. Remember one of our goals is to stay at every campe site on the rive so we can check it off our bucket lists. This trip marked the farthest we had ever made it on the river.

It has rained off and on as we traversed down the river puffing on a stogy, swilling a brew or two and enjoying the peace that comes with sifting your way through the waters as nature provides the music in the background.  It was a great float with plenty of bullshit to keep us interested in what each other had to say.  We talked about the trip, past and present and how we live for these simple moments in life that few get to experience. 

It only took five hours to make the  ten miles because we were in little rush to make camp.  The beauty of the trip comes from the time we spend on the River though it only acts as an enhancer to the joy we feel with the comradship of being with people that love us. 

This was a bit of a new experience for me also on this trip, it was the year that the General allowed me to take the Duce 1/2 with Little Mama as he a Rev to The Rebel.  Now if you recall The Duce 1/2 is he new 20' Old Town canoe that he, Logan and I broke in the summer before.  It was so fucking nice to be able to sit in a canoe with all the leg room I could want plus some.  There was more than enough room for our gear to keep things level and balanced, even with some of the extra crap we weren't going to bring because of "downsizing" that the General threw in for us to carry.  My only complaint was the fact that the canoe doesn't have rib down the middle so it kind of slides across the water like a sled on the ice.  If I could have a canoe like that with a rib, I think I would be in love.

So we made it to Easy-Half and stopped for the evening, or weekend, whichever you want to call it.  It was a descent site with plenty of room for several canoeists.  It did have a rather dramatic little hill on had to traves to get to the top of the camping area, but nothing compared to the one at the Doons.  Em and I took a nice spot next to the trail that was fairly level with a little bit of seculusion incase we wanted to have a little pre-marital fun...hehe.  The General was closer to the permanent table that was a nice spider infested construct with tons of carved names and dates that had been worn down with the passage of time.  I may have a pic or two to throw up.  Rev decided to make his basecamp a little closer to the river that was kind of down the hill a bit.  In all truth with all the rain we got I was a bit surprised he didn't have more water in with all that blessed us on trip.

Since mentioned the pics I had to take some time to check out the camera, which be my phone since we couldn't find the camera last year.  Anyway, I do have some pics of the site that I have to put up for all to enjoy. 

This is Easy Half with all the tents...

 

Another at Easy Half with The Rebel and Duce 1/2...

 

A pic from the table the day we were getting ready to make tracks...notice the sun is out and a big ass tree is floating down the Bigfork...that is how much rain we got.

 

Well all those that don't take the time to read this shit...I'm going to see later on this story line...the story of Easy Half 2012.











The Time Has Almost Arrived

Here I am once again sitting on the eve of the annual Memorial Weekend Canoe Trip. The River Runner's are pumped and primed to get on the water and have a little fun under the beautiful Minnesota sun. The weather looks to be fair for the most part. A touch cooler than normal, but I would rather have it a little chilly as opposed to a hot and humid weekend. Those just aren't as much fun because the heat and a hangover don't tend to mix really well. We may get that touch of rain, but the forecast has been changing so much that I'm not really sure what to expect. Doesn't matter though. Little Mama and I have packed the right clothes for whatever Mother Nature has to through at us.

Just got off the phone with The General. The plans are set and we are pretty much good to go on all aspects of the trip. All we need to do is make sure we hold true to what is our responsibility and pray that the others hold true to their's. It is amazing the planning that goes into this trip. The logisticas alone can boggle the simple mind.

Ok, well I have been on the phone non-stop for the last few hours just setting things straight. So I must say farewell untill I'm able to add to the blog with stories from the 2011 trip.

Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe.

Less Than 36 hours to Launch

Well ain't that just a peach. I suppose I should give an update as to the status of the trip this year. Duckie's friend Jolene is out which is a bummer. It is always nice to have and FNG on the trip to rag on and give shit to, well hopefully things work out better next year and she can make it with the rest of us. She is going to miss a hell-of-a-trip this year, but that is OK, like I said, there is always next year. The General and I are going to be leaving on Wednesday, which is known by those that don't follow, so that is still a go. I can barely contain myself because I want to hit the river so damn bad. Nevertheless, there my be a little bit of a hiccup in the plans.

Like every year of the trip I have been following the level of the river and the weather like a hawk. I check both several times a day leading up to the trip to see what kind of conditions we can expect while on this annual vacation. And like always it changes from day to day but that doesn't do a thing to put us off from the trip. We go in rain or shine, we prefer shine but we will take and deal with the rain as it comes. The hiccup that I'm talking about is that on the day The General and I launch we are looking at 20 to 30 mph winds from the north which may make crossing Dora lake a real fucking bitch. Let me explain...

For those that have never been in a canoe they can be a tricky water-craft to use. They are tippy for one...it does take a little to work out some balance in a canoe. When one gets good at it they can stand in the fucking while going down the river, still it is a different story when crossing a lot of open water. For one thing there are the waves. Waves can be deadly to a canoe, especially if they come at a person from the side. Nothing can tip a canoe faster than a good gust of wind and a wave. In some cases there is little a person can do but wish for the best. The next problem that is presented from having to travel the expanse of unobstructed water is the wind itself. The wind can take hold of people that are powering a water-craft via man-power. On the river the wind can be funneled down the waterway and make progress really slow and a lot of work. Add these tow combinations together and it can make a trip of fun turn into one from hell.

The canoe trip was never meant to be a workout. It has always, and will always be, a trip to let go from the school year and relax with good friends and family. There should never be a need to work our asses off to where we are not having a good time. I know that on some trips, and this one in particular we are going to have to make some tracks to stay on schedule, however, we can do that if we stick to a plan I have developed. I don't want us to be on the river for too long without having a lot of fun in the process. Hmmmm? I may have just came up with an idea...hehe.

As you know Highway One has been the nemesis of this trip for many-a-years. It has been the set of rapids that has claimed more River Runner's than any other set that we go through. I was holding onto a plan that we should not really drink all that much on the trip until we get through those rapids, however, if we stop on some state land before those rapids, cutting day one short by two miles, we could get lit on the river and not have to worry about being sober to do the rapids. This in return would ad two miles to day two of the trip, which is always an awesome thing because we can spend more time on the barge (when we hook all the canoes together and just float as a group) which is one of the best parts of the trip. Although I am the leader, I'm going to put this to a vote when we all gather at the Bigfork Landing and see what the other River Runners have to say about the idea. It may be shot down, but then again it might be something that we do.

I got a surprise for the River Runners this year that only Little Mama and The General know about. I have made a flag for the trip. It is just a crude idea that came to me one day and it is a little cheesy, but I am proud of it. The General thinks it is tits. But he thinks anything is tits...he must be a boob man or something...lol. I think I should ask him.

Well my friends...I need to go and check my gear and make sure that I have all that I need for the journey. I hate being in the bush without the right preparation...read into that if you want...so I must leave you all. I promise to make a post tomorrow night for all the ones that don't read.

Until next time I will slowly become...Crazy Joe.

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together

Well ladies and gents that never read the words of wisdom that I proclaim here for the world to read, and yet so few do. Who knows, maybe one day I will be a world famous writing and the shit that is held on this blog will be worth fucking gold. Sure, smoke another one Crazy...lol. But in all honesty the trip is coming together like extra chunky peanut-butter and jelly...as it does every year. We have the crunch of gathering all we need for a successful trip followed by the creamy texture of organization and topped off with the sweet taste of success. It is a most beautiful thing.

The food list has been set and I have learned that along with Em, AKA Little Mama, Michael doesn't like steak. It kind of blew my mind. I mean what red blooded American male doesn't like the juicy, tender, flavorful taste of a steak cooked over a campfire with all its smokey goodness? This is something that blows my mind because I can not come up with one conceivable thing that wouldn't be better off a natural grill...except for ice cream. Everything tastes better grilled. I have learned how to do king crab legs on the grill...best LEGS EVER!! DAMN! Yet again I digress... But like I said the food list is done and it is nothing different really than those from the past. In truth I can't really think of anything else to bring that would add up to some kind of extra gear or weight being added to the canoes. When planning this trip one has to take into account all the shit they cook, along with the ease of cooking it. We have done some different things here and there, but for all the changes, steak has always remained a staple while on the river. As far as food is concerned, I think we are golden.

The crew is pretty much set, we are going to have nine people, but only four canoes. This does pose a smidgen of a problem when it comes to gear, however, we are the River Runners, there isn't nothing we can't make happen. This means Duckie is going to be traveling in style this year because she is going to be able to sit in the middle while the FNG and Cityboy man the stations of a canoe. This should be interesting to say the least. I'm going to mess with her friend until she can't stand me because that is the way of the FNG. They do the shit we tell them. LOL. I know I'm an ass, but what can I do...it is tradition.

The weather is looking to be good for the most part. We may be looking at some rain on Sunday, but that is why we take rain suits. I just can't wait for the trip. I suppose one of the major reasons is because I'm going to be starting a lot earlier with The General than the rest of the crew. We have a lot of river to cover in the first two days...more than the rest of the trip. It is going to take some steady paddling for a bit on the part of The General and I to get to Little Minnow before it gets too late. I just hope we can hold out long enough...if ya catch my drift. In all honesty I can't remember ever going twenty miles in a day. I know we have done fifteen and that took forever, however, we will be a single canoe so the trip should not take as long because we won't hook up and just float. We are going to have to do some work, be we know how to do that.

I am going to keep my gear to a minimum this year by only taking a few sets of clothes. I'm going to see if Little Mama is going to do the same, which I hope because every year we usually take way more than we need. I'm doing all this to make sure we have enough room in the canoe for the extra gear we are going to take because of the FNG. I just had an idea.

The General should get some shirts that say FNG on them for all the new people that take a chance on this trip. If they come a second year then they may earn an actual shirt for the club. I mean we have had a few that have taken on the journey and bowed out because they couldn't handle the shit the river deals a person once in awhile. That is ok though, the river isn't meant for everyone; something all of us Runner's respect.

I suppose I should address the entire plan for the beginning. The General and I are going to meet the rest of the crew in Bigfork at the launch site Thursday night. We are going to get all of the gear from The General's truck, along with the rest of the canoes. Duckie, Digger, Cityboy, Little Mama, Brother John, FNG one and FNG two should meet us there. We will get the gear in order and send the trucks to Effie so we don't have to mess with that in the morning. Then we settle in for an evening of rest and relaxation.

The following morning we are going to get our shit together and head for Busti, which is fifteen miles away. We need to put on some miles during the first three hours of the trip so we cane be sure to make Busti within reasonable time. We can have fun and BS, but we have to make sure we cover some serious river so we are not done canoing before we reach our destination. I know that may be a lot to digest, however, the River Runners that read this will understand what I'm talking about.

I suppose though, I need to do some list checking and get some other things done for the trip, so to all those that do read this blog...take care and have a sweet time tonight.

Until next time I will remain forever...Crazy Joe.

The Year That Never Was But Happened Anyway

Now as those that read, oh how few you are, you should probably know by now that that this year's trip is going to be the 16th annual Memorial Weekend Canoe Trip, however, there was one year, in the past, in which we didn't hit the river but instead took a fishing trip to Crooked Lake. We didn't go on the Bigfork that year because the river level was too low to run, we had a very, very dry winter and spring, so instead we decided to take a fishing trip. In some ways this was a good thing, but in truth, all of us all made a comment at one time or another that we really missed the river and we would be back on her next year no matter what the level was.

Crooked Lake was a lake that was introduced to my best friend and I by his cousin Pat Cleath...AKA Fugly. I have to give some props to Fugly because he has passed away and is now on the great lake in the sky watching use from his place in Heaven. He was the one to find this lake and show it to Jer who in turn brought me to it. It turned out to be one hell of a lake for both Northern Pike and Crappie. Not once have I fished that lake and not gotten a fish there is that much action. The reason the fishing is so good on Crooked is because it is well off the beaten trail and takes a four-wheel driver vehicle to get to, which means it has low pressure from fishermen. It was the perfect spot for us to camp at, have some privacy and get in some stellar fishing.

Dishman and I were the first to arrive at the meeting spot because we planed it that way. He had gotten enough time off and I was done with school early, so we decided to get the weekend started a day or so before the rest of the crew. The General was planning on meeting us sometime early that morning because he had a load or two to truck at his job before he could get away for the festivities. Duckie, The Mule, Mini-Hulk and Digger were going to be out the following night late because of jobs and other reasons that I can't recall this many years later. Em was not able to make this trip because she was seven months prego with out last child Brennett. He was born that year on 7/27/07...what a sweet birthday to have.

So Dishman and I met at the cabin and got the gear ready for the weekend. Because we were camping at Crooked, we needed to make a few trips out there so we could transport our boats and my dads Polaris Magnum 500 four-wheeler . The wheeler IS an essential tool to get back to Crooked lake unless you borrow a buddies four-wheel drive truck and he tells you to "take her out and get some dirt on her." Words I would never speak to a Buddie unless I was a rich SOB...but I will get to that part a little later. In light of the fact that there was only two of us, we had to make three trips from the cabin to the spot we chose to park the vehicles and use the 500 to get us back to the lake. Well, I guess it was only two trips. The first one we brought our boats back to the road and the third we used to go and get the 500 so we could make the trips.

Once we had both boats, all the gear and the 500 at the start of the trail that lead to Crooked we stopped and had a cold one. It was at that moment that Dishman introduced me to the Jag-Bomb. He was acting a little odd, but that wasn't anything new for Jeff because he is an odd man...anyway we did a Jag-Bomb and then proceeded to get our gear out to the camp site. It took three trips from there to get both boats and the camping gear to the site. We were in no real hurry since it was just Dishman and I, so we took our time and caught up on all that had gone on over the last year.

When we got everything to camp we picked out spots out to sleep and proceeded to set up our tents. Now this was the first year that I had to set up the biggest tent of my life. Duckie had got some great deal on this massive tent hat has been dubbed the Taj Mahal becuase it is so big and a wonderful tent to camp in. It's s divided up into three sections with an entrance on all four sides. It is big enough for my family of six to camp in with some comfort and still have some privacy. In short the damn thing is massive. Nevertheless, being this was the first time I set it up it took a little bit because it was a tad unconventional. Being some experienced campers though it didn't take too long to establish camp, gather some wood and get both of our boats into he water.

Getting camp established Dishman and I proceeded to tie one on. We got lit like a candle in the dark and before we knew it, the General came bouncing onto the scene with my cousin's four-wheel drive truck...all the way back tot he camp site...hehe.

Well those that never read...I am about done for the evening...so I'm going to continue this tomorrow.

Until then I will remain...Crazy Joe.

Fourteen Days and a Wake-Up

Time is ticking down and the trip is getting closer and closer as she does. Was at the store again today and picked up a few items for the trip. I'm kind of pumped that I finally got a dry bag for my tent so that will have a bit of extra protection from the wetness that is incurred from going through the rapids or just from the bit that drips in off of the paddle. There is also a beer or two mixed in with the water, but that doesn't matter much because of the dry bags. I figure this year all of my gear that need protection from the water will have it in the form of a dry bag or box.


As I have said before the early start to the trip is a go, so the General and I will be launching on the 25 at 9 AM from the Dora Lake Landing. This is the simple part of the trip. We have trimmed it down to the essentials, as I have mentioned before, nevertheless, the problem is going to arise when we hook up with the rest of the crew. We are going to have four canoes and nine people on the trip. This means one of the canoes has to make room for a third person thus trusting another canoe with some of your gear. However, we may have to make an adjustment and put the third person in Duckie's canoe. I'm still debating on how to do this, but not to worry, those that don't take time from their busy lives to read my words of wisdom, I will come up with a solution, I always do. However, the more I look at Duckie's canoe, I feel that it may be a better one to be the one with three people...but I''m not going to dwell. I will keep the blog posted.




Well I finally did get some pictures of the Great Diamond Willow Paddle to put up here. Ones that lets you see the paddle in all of it's glory. I took a few pics of the paddle. The goal of the River Runners is to have Grandpa make each of us our own diamond willow paddles, all he needs to do is find some of the right sized pieces to make the shafts and we are good to go. But with that I'm going to post those pics and go to bed. Lots to think about and gear to get ready for the trip.









Until next time I will remain...Crazy Joe