Usually, I have an uncanny ability to select the worst weather in the region - weeks in advance - to schedule my vacation, and this year was no exception. In addition to the 35' degree cold and constant heavy drizzle, punctuated by the occasional cloudburst and 30 MPH winds, I was spooked out of my original camping plans in the Superior National Forest by the massive Pagami Creek wildfire.

Forunatate to have a choice, I am just back from a week of camping in the Chippewa National Forest instead.

I go on one main solo camping trip each year, and I plan all year for it. This one was a little different. I brought along copious amounts of gear to 'test'. I could have outfitted an expedition with the stuff I brought this time. No doubt that a heater, a cot, an artic-weight sleeping bag, a folding lawnchair, LED lantern, and a bigger tent helped me to brave the bad weather, but it also increased my level of boredom, decreased my level of satisfaction with the trip, and as a special bonus, I gained two pounds. If you asked me why I feel this way, I probably couldn't explain it. It was almost like a hotel room, but with a muddy hallway and no TV.

I have a couple more short gear-heavy trips planned with companions, but this was my last solo of the year.

Next year, it's back to the basics..............the place where I once belonged.

Byrd..i know how that go's!! my last two BWCA solos involved a lot of sitting in a Baker shelter reading and napping. i have been over to that park in Wisconsin and it's not too bad,i found a place by a lake i could put my canoe in for some fishing.i also had a car-camp a week or so ago and packed the back of our SUV with everything plus..

I more or less just camped out of my truck this time. The area I was in is north of Grand Rapids MN, has hundreds of lakes and streams, and big woods. It is pretty nice. With all the gear I brought, I found that I spent more time sitting around than usual, probably due to the fact that everything was in the truck. It made me lazy.

Byrd..opps,i got my parks mixed up.i was thinking of the one over in Wisconsin, Chequamegon..which i can never pronounce...
i know Chippewa..nice place but i never looked around at it in detail as i always went up to the BWCA.

For those of us that can't get out on a solo camp out,being bored in the boonies still beats being bored at home!I'm glad to know your handle isn't JoJo,:)