So what Fishing or Camping trip are you looking forward to?

**Nainoa** · 02-28-2006, 03:31 PM

First off... I'd like to give props of Fitnessman for spearheading the creation of this forum.

Now I'm always planning my forays into the wilderness well in advance... (It's helps to stave off the MN cabin fever of this time of year.) But this year, as many of you know I've bought a new fishing.
(16 foot Tracker W/50 horse motor.)

So I'm going to get the maximum amount of use out of her that I can...

As such to really get into the prime camping areas for the summer you have to start making reservations right now...

And while I've got a ton of them that I'm just dieing to talk about... My favorite...

***
I'm still in touch with a handful of friends from way back in Kindergarten and First Grade... Through the years we've all had our ups and downs but have maintained a friendship, that now 24-25 years later, is like a brotherhood...

It's rare for all of us to be together at the same time... But once a year we make a fishing trip out of it...

One guy, owns a 1 week share of his family cabin, and he loaned us rights to his week for the last couple of years while he has been teaching english in South Korea...

This year he's joining us...

The cabin is on a small quiet forrest lake... Rustic, built by his grandfather with his war bond's after WWII... The Lake is made up of 5 bays that all meet in a central bay... The forrest surrounding it all sits up on the lake bluffs, a mixture of Old hardwords and Virgin white & Red Pines. (The Cabin is just within the boundaries of Chippewa National Forest.)

The cabin is built so that only the front corner of it, and a small section near the front door touches the ground... From there the ground falls away into the side of the bluff and the cabin itself soars... Hovering over the Lake bluff... Built with the giant trunks of white Pine growing through the cabin, supporting it on Building jacks... So when you walk to the back 3 season screen porch you are standing 25-30 feet above the forrest floor, looking out through the trees down to the lake below.

The lake itself is primarily a pan fishing lake... Many Hog Blue Gills, Pumpkinseeds and Crappies... The Walleye population is working it's way out the door... Natural reproduction of Walleye in the lake seems to have stopped mostly due to the abundant pike population. The Walleye that remain, are the old Giants... Masters of their domain... Once a year we get one on a hook, and it throws the thing like childsplay...

Last year we managed to pull out a 28".

We, and the family have been working with the lake association about the overabundant pike... Harvesting only small pike, to allow the large pike to become massive... This helps the Walleye situation as well, because large pike eat other pike... Thus balancing out the food chain... So there's still a glimmer of hope that the once thriving Walleye population can balance out.

Our only Boat up there all these years has been a beat up old 20' pontoon, with a 25 HP motor... While she's a raggety old nag, who's always on her last leg, she somehow always starts.

The trails around the area are magnificent virgin' forest... We often plan "Extreme Bocce" on the hiking trails... (I finally lost my 3 time Forest Bocce Championship last year.)

The deer in the area are so tame that if you get up for a Dawn hike, you can almost walk right up and touch them.

I'm dieing with excitement to go... Even though I don't even leave until June 26th, and then stay until July 2nd.

***

So what outdoors trips are you guys looking forward to this spring/summer

Hartski · 02-28-2006, 03:36 PM

Well, my Aunt is trying to get a family reunion/camping trip going this Spring near their home in Kentucky. I was thinking about it............until she said they live in a dry county. There's no way I can tolerate most of my relatives without a healthy abount of beer.

So I'll just stick close to home this summer. Maybe go out onto the river with my buddies once or twice.

Shike · 02-28-2006, 03:39 PM

I only have Deer hunting planned right now. I'll do something this summer for sure though. Wanna hit the lakes and do a little canoeing(sp?). Boundary Waters would be perfect!

Donkey Hunter · 02-28-2006, 03:40 PM

Ever fished near Brainerd (sp???) Been up there a couple of times, my grandfather used to own a cabin up there, awesome fishing.

But for the best fishing for pike and walleye I have to give a nod to Canada. I caught a 28" walleye up there when I was in 4th grade. You can get to some pretty remote places up there.

My next trip will most likely be a bowhunting trip to canada for bear and moose.

Hartski · 02-28-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donkey Hunter

My next trip will most likely be a bowhunting trip to canada for bear and moose.

If you hunt a bear with a bow, you better have a badass sidearm as backup.

**fitnessman** · 02-28-2006, 03:44 PM

Oh gosh..Oh gosh..oh gosh...Where do I start?

I have a trip for weekend after next to the UP for Northerns though the ice.

Steelhead in the grand river the weekend after.

Crappies at night anytime I can go..From shore..Minnows and a lighted bobber the whole month of March.

Walleyes on Erie...WAIT NEVER MIND! I am looking forward to it all!

Ya'll thought I liked lifting weights? This is my PASSION!

Donkey Hunter · 02-28-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartski

If you hunt a bear with a bow, you better have a badass sidearm as backup.

Nah dude, will most likely be from a treestand. My grandfather has been doing it for years. He has video of a bear climbing a tree and smelling the hunters foot, literally touching it with its nose. The hunter just kicked it and started yelling at it. Scared the crap out of it and it ran away.

Once I get more experience hunting them I would love to take it to the ground and do some spot and stalk bear hunting.

resurrected · 02-28-2006, 07:37 PM

I am looking forward to taking my boat to Shenago lake reservior this year, ( I ahve done the river last year when I bought it) .
And maybe talk Mark into doing some fishing with me at a lake close to both of us. We can use my boat if so.

AnimalOnly · 02-28-2006, 08:55 PM

Well in March me and some buddies are going back country camping about 3 miles away from ANY civilization in the Blue ridge parkway of nc.

We're also planning to drive out to an area around ravens peak(lots of mountain caves), with nothing but cots, clothes and knives, for a week to REALLY rough it. We'll kill our food, or eat leaves or w/e we need to do, should be fun!

Hartski · 03-01-2006, 07:08 AM

I'm REALLY wanting to go up to my aunt and uncle's place in Montana. They live right on Flathead Lake, like 30 feet from shore. I'm sure the fishing will be great, but just the scenery will be worth the drive.

blood vs. water · 03-01-2006, 07:24 AM

my grandparents own around 100 acres of land in Massachusetts and me and my father are trying to plan something for the spring. I havent been trout fishing in years and im looking forward to it. my try and hit up some largemouth too.

Hartski · 03-01-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blood vs. water

my grandparents own around 100 acres of land in Massachusetts and me and my father are trying to plan something for the spring. I havent been trout fishing in years and im looking forward to it. my try and hit up some largemouth too.

You might be able to snag one of Ted Kennedy's cars up there.

**Nainoa** · 03-01-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitnessman

Oh gosh..Oh gosh..oh gosh...Where do I start?

I have a trip for weekend after next to the UP for Northerns though the ice.

Steelhead in the grand river the weekend after.

Crappies at night anytime I can go..From shore..Minnows and a lighted bobber the whole month of March.

Walleyes on Erie...WAIT NEVER MIND! I am looking forward to it all!

Ya'll thought I liked lifting weights? This is my PASSION!

I hear ya Brother...

So far here's my list for 2006

April: After Ice Out Spend the weekends where it isn't ****ty out giving the boat the shakedown on this chain of lakes nearby that is loaded with champion sized channel cats and slab Crappies.

-This continues through to mid May.

May 13th: Walleye Opener in my secret spot.

May 20th: Lake Reno... A forgotten prime Walleye lake in the middle of the country.

Memorial Weekend: Tentatively planned to go to my buddys family cabin on a quiet little crappie lake. (A couple weeks ago ice fishing we pulled out 34 Crappies 17 of which were over 12 inches!) There's also some HUGE Pike that we couldn't get up through the ice on Crappie rigs.

June 8th-11th... Lake Winnibigoshish, for some preiere Walleye fishing... Also I'm going to take a day and go Musky Fishing.

June 17th & 18th: Take my Dad Fishing for his B-Day and Father's Day.

June 26th through July 2nd: My Annual Fishing Vacation.

4th of July: Fish in the local tournament.

July 15th & 16th... Camp on the shores of Sugar Lake... This is a Musky Lake... Hoping to pull in a Musko.

July 21st through the 23rd... Camp at a primitive site in Jay Cook State Park on the North Shore of Lake Superior and go Hiking (This is my GF's birthday wish.) Funny... My GF is more comfortable with ****ting in the woods than I am!

August 18th-22nd My Birthday Celebration at a friend's cabin. (Might Pan Fish a little... But it's not much of a fishing lake.

Labor Day weekend: Spend it at a resort on a Musky Lake about an Hour and a half away.

September 29th-Oct 1st: Musky Fishing trip, and Turnover fishing for Walleyes.

***
I think I might be making a little something out of my summer, and my new boat!

Hartski · 03-01-2006, 10:52 AM

Damn, Nainoa, sounds like you have your whole summer planned out. Doesn't leave much time for spur of the moment stuff, does it?

**Nainoa** · 03-01-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartski

Damn, Nainoa, sounds like you have your whole summer planned out. Doesn't leave much time for spur of the moment stuff, does it?

The last 5 years I've been very "Spur of the moment." We'd come up with an equipment list and a menu for the Annual week long trip, and then play everything else by ear...

What ended up happening is that each year we'd find ourselves saying more and more "Boy if we would have known X... Or Brough Y... Or if we would have been here at Z time of year."

So now we've really got it down to the places we know we want to go and what we want to do... Thus the theme for 2006, especially now that I have a boat, is to really make the most of all the places and things we've learned over the last couple of years...

Thing is that a lot of these premiere campgrounds, and cabins need to be reserved WAY in advance...

Take for example my Winnibigoshish Trip... My Campsite was only available on June 8th-11th... It was the only good one left that we could reserve, and we reserved it and it's land locked sister site on January 27th!

The extra problem is that there are so many people who have heard about the exploits and adventures of my core group, that we've sort of started a new Outdoors renaissance amongst our friends... And now everyone and their grandmother wants to go with.

I'm the leader type and organizer of the group... The guy who knows everyone and talks to everyone with the most frequency... So I litterally have "Sign up Sheets" hanging in my kitchen for people to decide which outting they're going on.

cocoapi · 03-01-2006, 05:13 PM

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to go kayaking in the lakes of Ontario and camp over night for a few nights. But right now all of my money goes towards school so I'm going to have to wait a few years for that.

**fitnessman** · 03-01-2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocoapi

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to go kayaking in the lakes of Ontario and camp over night for a few nights. But right now all of my money goes towards school so I'm going to have to wait a few years for that.

Friend, take this from an older guy. Do not put these things off.

Your soul needs it.

GREENFEATHER · 03-01-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitnessman

Friend, take this from an older guy. Do not put these things off.

Your soul needs it.

Yep, do these things when you're young my friend!! I'm planning for all of the things I never did when I was younger. When you get older you look back and say " Damn I wish I'd have done that when I was younger". Unfortunately for me, Uncle Sam, school and a new business got in the way for a while. Now the business is doing well and I can afford to do these things. Money ain't everything, take a sem off to do some fun things, it really does the soul good!! I wish I had done this!

cocoapi · 03-01-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREENFEATHER

Yep, do these things when you're young my friend!! I'm planning for all of the things I never did when I was younger. When you get older you look back and say " Damn I wish I'd have done that when I was younger". Unfortunately for me, Uncle Sam, school and a new business got in the way for a while. Now the business is doing well and I can afford to do these things. Money ain't everything, take a sem off to do some fun things, it really does the soul good!! I wish I had done this!

Yeah, I realize you and fitnessman are right about doing it now.

I have two short breaks in class this summer, and I'm going to start trying to plan something during one of them now. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Does anyone have experience canoeing or kayaking in Algonquin?

mntbikedude · 03-01-2006, 08:45 PM

This summer my 13 year old son and I are planning to ride our bikes from Canada to California or further if things are going well. This tradition started with my older son now 20. First time we rode the 400 mile oregon coast when he was 16 and then when he was 18 We rode from Victoria BC to the calif border. 700 miles.

We carry all our gear and camp for most of the time. Of 17 nights last time we only stayed in motels 3 of the nights. My older son was also and exspert outdoor cook so we ate pretty well.

Anyways the younger son is pretty stoked about this and so am I although I'm a bit worried about the Washington stretch as there are some long stretches between towns. Like 40 miles or more and Before we had another father son team and this time it will just be Mark and I.

And it's quite challenging in Washington because it has a very narrow shoulder with logging trucks zooming by at 65 miles an hour. Oregon has wider shoulders and towns much closer together.

Still I'm excited the fact that Mark still wants to hang out with the old man, well who knows how long that will last.

Part of the fun is living that long with just what you can carry on your bike. It makes you realize how much we don't need to make us happy. Fact is I realize I waste alot of time just paying for and maintaining things.

If things are going well and we still are having fun then we will see how far into California we will make it. Maybe try for San Francisco or further.

**Nainoa** · 03-02-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntbikedude

This summer my 13 year old son and I are planning to ride our bikes from Canada to California or further if things are going well. This tradition started with my older son now 20. First time we rode the 400 mile oregon coast when he was 16 and then when he was 18 We rode from Victoria BC to the calif border. 700 miles.

We carry all our gear and camp for most of the time. Of 17 nights last time we only stayed in motels 3 of the nights. My older son was also and exspert outdoor cook so we ate pretty well.

Anyways the younger son is pretty stoked about this and so am I although I'm a bit worried about the Washington stretch as there are some long stretches between towns. Like 40 miles or more and Before we had another father son team and this time it will just be Mark and I.

And it's quite challenging in Washington because it has a very narrow shoulder with logging trucks zooming by at 65 miles an hour. Oregon has wider shoulders and towns much closer together.

Still I'm excited the fact that Mark still wants to hang out with the old man, well who knows how long that will last.

Part of the fun is living that long with just what you can carry on your bike. It makes you realize how much we don't need to make us happy. Fact is I realize I waste alot of time just paying for and maintaining things.

If things are going well and we still are having fun then we will see how far into California we will make it. Maybe try for San Francisco or further.

Damn... I've always wanted to "DRIVE" that stretch...

I say you push it... Take an extra week or two (Whatever you think.) Start out, and don't stop until everyone around you is speaking Mexican. Then Sell the bikes (FedEx them or whatever) and Charter a flight home.

I mean afterall didn't your oldest son get to do the Down and Back...

Maybe taking it in one long shot down the whole PCH is a good way to give this son a defining experience that the other son didn't have... Because in a way the younger son has been toiling about in the older one's shadow... And for him I'd imagine that this is a bit of a right of passage into Manhood. (Which is something modern psychology thinks we lack for our youth culture.)

The youngest boy has spent his whole life watching the older one get to do everything first. And while there may or may not be a sibling rivalry involved, I've got to imagine that it would mean something for him to branch out and be able to say he's done something with his Father that no one else has ever done before... A chance to really push himself, to see new things, new horizons etc... And also to do something definingly different with his father.

Then when you hit Mexico get him some kind of cool trinket necklace or something that he can keep on him as a momento... Then when he goes to college he can use the trinket as his lead in to the story of the time he "Biked the entire PCH" and it will probably be his Go-To impressive line to woo the ladies for quite the many years!

***

Okay... That idea might be way too over the top... IDK? I'm not much of a long distance biking guy... Just thought I'd mention it.

Either way though, Kudos to you for doing things like this that add to the quality of your son's character!

Budweiser · 03-02-2006, 07:34 AM

I'm going up to lake of the woods for the opener in May. Staying at border view lodge. Should be a good time, I've never gone fishing on Lake of the woods before but been to Canada plenty of times. I'm hoping to latch onto a 50+" sturgeon!

never2late · 03-02-2006, 06:12 PM

I'm looking forward to surf fishing when the Blues start running (usual spot Sandy Hook, NJ). Also get a little bit of pier fishing and crabbing in too sometime during the summer (if possible, piers and places to crab are few and far between anymore).

mntbikedude · 03-02-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nainoa

Damn... I've always wanted to "DRIVE" that stretch...

I say you push it... Take an extra week or two (Whatever you think.) Start out, and don't stop until everyone around you is speaking Mexican. Then Sell the bikes (FedEx them or whatever) and Charter a flight home.

I mean afterall didn't your oldest son get to do the Down and Back...

Maybe taking it in one long shot down the whole PCH is a good way to give this son a defining experience that the other son didn't have... Because in a way the younger son has been toiling about in the older one's shadow... And for him I'd imagine that this is a bit of a right of passage into Manhood. (Which is something modern psychology thinks we lack for our youth culture.)

The youngest boy has spent his whole life watching the older one get to do everything first. And while there may or may not be a sibling rivalry involved, I've got to imagine that it would mean something for him to branch out and be able to say he's done something with his Father that no one else has ever done before... A chance to really push himself, to see new things, new horizons etc... And also to do something definingly different with his father.

Then when you hit Mexico get him some kind of cool trinket necklace or something that he can keep on him as a momento... Then when he goes to college he can use the trinket as his lead in to the story of the time he "Biked the entire PCH" and it will probably be his Go-To impressive line to woo the ladies for quite the many years!

***

Okay... That idea might be way too over the top... IDK? I'm not much of a long distance biking guy... Just thought I'd mention it.

Either way though, Kudos to you for doing things like this that add to the quality of your son's character!

Man that was an excellant post thanks so much for taking the time to write that. You don't know how much truth there is in what you wrote. Yeah the fact is Mark has lived in the older sons shadow and it's not like a rivalry just that he's been waiting for his time. And in the mean time dad keeps getting older and it's just harder to do all the things that I did with the older son. So it really would be great to do something that was something that just was distinctively Mark and Dads adventure.

BTW though it's not just an extra week or two more like another 3 to4 weeks. When we went before it was 700 miles in 17 days and we flew-up Canada and then my wife picked us up at the border. But we can get home just as easy from Mexico as we can from California.

The idea of going all the way to Mexico isn't something I've ruled out. And in fact I have 45 days total if need be. What would determine it is just how we are doing when we hit the california border. The fact is your post was very inspiring. The challenge of making it all the way to Mexico would be far more challenging on alot of levels. But I believe it would be worth it on just as many levels. This son deserves to have this unique adventure with dad. And I understand that the amount of time left that this son would even want to spent this much time with dad is very limited. I mean maybe a year tops?

So anyways thanks again, I'll keep you posted how it goes, maybe we will keep a journal and update as we go. Also the idea of getting Mark something to remember the trip, something he can keep with him or wear is also awesome. The idea of using it as his unique opener to woo the ladies made me smile.

MBD

**Nainoa** · 03-03-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntbikedude

Man that was an excellant post thanks so much for taking the time to write that. You don't know how much truth there is in what you wrote. Yeah the fact is Mark has lived in the older sons shadow and it's not like a rivalry just that he's been waiting for his time. And in the mean time dad keeps getting older and it's just harder to do all the things that I did with the older son. So it really would be great to do something that was something that just was distinctively Mark and Dads adventure.

BTW though it's not just an extra week or two more like another 3 to4 weeks. When we went before it was 700 miles in 17 days and we flew-up Canada and then my wife picked us up at the border. But we can get home just as easy from Mexico as we can from California.

The idea of going all the way to Mexico isn't something I've ruled out. And in fact I have 45 days total if need be. What would determine it is just how we are doing when we hit the california border. The fact is your post was very inspiring. The challenge of making it all the way to Mexico would be far more challenging on alot of levels. But I believe it would be worth it on just as many levels. This son deserves to have this unique adventure with dad. And I understand that the amount of time left that this son would even want to spent this much time with dad is very limited. I mean maybe a year tops?

So anyways thanks again, I'll keep you posted how it goes, maybe we will keep a journal and update as we go. Also the idea of getting Mark something to remember the trip, something he can keep with him or wear is also awesome. The idea of using it as his unique opener to woo the ladies made me smile.

MBD

I'm glad you liked the idea...

As an aspiring writer, I can see how there could even be a book to be written out of the experience... It has all the aspects... Emotional drama, personal challenge, the needing to come together... The issues that always exists between fathers and sons... The passing of the torch to another generation...

***
A book that you might find motivating that feels along the same lines is "Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintence." By Andrew Pirsig (Sp?)

****

It is true though that one of the things that we are missing as men in the modern age is these "Coming of age" rights.

In the ancient/olden days, a Boy had defining moments that marked the journey into man hood... He started out "With the Women Folk." And then at a certain age or a certain point, depending on his culture, he was invitied into something... Whether it was counting cou (sp?), Going on the Ritual hunt, participating in a test of strength, or even jumping off a stupid tower thing with vines on his feet.

There always was something... There were always steps in a life, from Boy to man... A point where a Boy knew, and had proven that he was indeed a man, because he had been tested, had pushed through his fear and limits, had been changed, and had proven it not only to his father, but also to himself.

And what that really gives a man is Pride... Real pride... Not this plastic fantastic arrogance that we're fed today, where kids can call themselves "Alpha" or Join a gang, or prattle on about their life from behind the suburban reality shield...

Our youth today has nothing to define them... The step are "Going to High School." Being able to drive, Graduating HS, and going off to college.

Where the hell is the visceral understand and intuation of the self in all of that.

And as a result, and I hate to say this, but we are currently witnessing the weakest generation of males in human history. Because in many cases we're a group of men raised by women, with no defining challenges that set us apart... No moments that fill us up with pride...

Instead we just become some tightly stretched portrait of what our flimsy MTV culture tells us to be. Then we put some make up on the pig of our soul, cry out "I'm Alpha!" And think it makes us special.

I think that's a bunch of Horse****!

I spent 3 years where better than half of the time I was "On the Road." Learning about myself, building who I was, figuring out what I was doing, and proving to myself just who I was... And then spent another 3 years putting it all together and doing something about it...

And I would hate to think of the "Thing" I would had I not taken that trial of the self, versus the man I am today for having walked that path.

And I cannot commend you enough Bro, for raising your sons with defining moments, so that we can pass on into the next generation the pride, character and knowledge of what it means to truly be a man.

Hartski · 03-03-2006, 07:37 AM

I agree with you, Nainoa. There aren't any "Rites of Passage" for us anymore. About the only thing left is that first hunting trip and taking your first deer, but it's not as special as it used to be, with all the new gear making it easier than ever, and people hunting in groups, ect.

All the skills of "The Stalk" are lost to most hunters, so they can't pass it on to the next generation.

mntbikedude · 03-03-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nainoa

I'm glad you liked the idea...

As an aspiring writer, I can see how there could even be a book to be written out of the experience... It has all the aspects... Emotional drama, personal challenge, the needing to come together... The issues that always exists between fathers and sons... The passing of the torch to another generation...

***
A book that you might find motivating that feels along the same lines is "Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintence." By Andrew Pirsig (Sp?)

****

It is true though that one of the things that we are missing as men in the modern age is these "Coming of age" rights.

In the ancient/olden days, a Boy had defining moments that marked the journey into man hood... He started out "With the Women Folk." And then at a certain age or a certain point, depending on his culture, he was invitied into something... Whether it was counting cou (sp?), Going on the Ritual hunt, participating in a test of strength, or even jumping off a stupid tower thing with vines on his feet.

There always was something... There were always steps in a life, from Boy to man... A point where a Boy knew, and had proven that he was indeed a man, because he had been tested, had pushed through his fear and limits, had been changed, and had proven it not only to his father, but also to himself.

And what that really gives a man is Pride... Real pride... Not this plastic fantastic arrogance that we're fed today, where kids can call themselves "Alpha" or Join a gang, or prattle on about their life from behind the suburban reality shield...

Our youth today has nothing to define them... The step are "Going to High School." Being able to drive, Graduating HS, and going off to college.

Where the hell is the visceral understand and intuation of the self in all of that.

And as a result, and I hate to say this, but we are currently witnessing the weakest generation of males in human history. Because in many cases we're a group of men raised by women, with no defining challenges that set us apart... No moments that fill us up with pride...

Instead we just become some tightly stretched portrait of what our flimsy MTV culture tells us to be. Then we put some make up on the pig of our soul, cry out "I'm Alpha!" And think it makes us special.

I think that's a bunch of Horse****!

I spent 3 years where better than half of the time I was "On the Road." Learning about myself, building who I was, figuring out what I was doing, and proving to myself just who I was... And then spent another 3 years putting it all together and doing something about it...

And I would hate to think of the "Thing" I would had I not taken that trial of the self, versus the man I am today for having walked that path.

And I cannot commend you enough Bro, for raising your sons with defining moments, so that we can pass on into the next generation the pride, character and knowledge of what it means to truly be a man.

Again really good advice. And I agree with you totaly about the current generation. Part of the problem to is that we have made it to easy on everyone. I own a business and it's really hard to hire entry level employees and then they only want to work if the moon is in the right phase and they don't need to go to the mall bla bla. I mean if they run short of money mom and dad will take care of em so why do they need to work.

Or if mom and dad wont do it the government will take care of them. So most have no idea what it feels like to really make it on their own. It's why so many kids won't leave home.

Anyway back to the bike trip it could make a good story. The last trip my son filmed alot of it, even had a camera rigged on his bike. Afterwards he edited it into a documentary for a college class. ( He majoring in film production so it was pretty good).

BTW here is a web site I did about our last trip. http://groups.msn.com/Bikingthewestcoast

Baldsnake · 03-04-2006, 09:11 AM

I would dedicate the attached pic, taken last summer in the Everglades early morning Pinfish bait netting, to Fitty if he would only explain how he gets to put a fishing icon pic below his handle. So, I won't.

I want to go back one more time.

My favorite fishing over the past lifetime was on the border of the Yukon and BC, Grayling fishing in the waterfalls.