Just a quick note to say that I will be out of touch for the next couple weeks.
River is officially one year old in a matter of hours! We’ve had a number of great celebrations and I just can’t say enough how damn proud I am to be his dad.
I drive north in the AM to lead a staff training trip at Camp Manito-wish. Should be three-four days of great fun and learning. Then, the morning after cleaning up from that trip I head out for an 8-day solo trip in Quetico Provincial Park of southern Ontario. My itinerary is set (about 100 miles of paddling; 30 or so portages). Almost all familiar haunts, but it will be all new going solo. I think I’m ready mentally. I have everything packed, minus some fresh food. My WFR is still current and I’m in good paddling shape.
Precaution is the keyword and quiet, too, I suppose. Wish me luck. I’ll write when I return.
One summer in Quetico, years ago, I came across a family on a portage. They had camped on one end of the carry and were spending the day taking turns hauling loads while the other stayed with their young child–couldn’t have been much older than River is now. I remember thinking that I wouldn’t raise my child any other way.