Backpacking with G

We did it! All three kids got their "alone-time-with-Dad-backpacking-super-adventure" (or "ATWDSA") done. Garrett rounded out the field Tuesday to Wednesday. We went once again to Bowman Lake. The weather was not quite as cooperative this time. We ran through a quick shower on the way up. I thought we still might be okay, and I reasoned that if we were wet, it wasn't too far out to walk back and hit plan B. Plan B was never officially thought of, but I do my best work under pressure. We walked in, set up camp, and just as I was popping the tent up, the skies opened up. Whew, what timing. We dove into the tent, set up our beds and waited the storm out. And waited. I finally cooked supper by reaching out into the rain to fire up my stove (which was acting very cranky) and boiling water to make "special noodles." Special Noodles are just any packet of Lipton Noodles & Sauce; cheap, easy, and actually not too bad. Well, actually not too good, but the kids eat them, and you can get full on them. Perfect. The stove being cranky doesn't sound horrible until you realize that cranky means going full bore with 2 ft. of flame jetting out of it, to needing to be pumped up again to continue the 2 ft. of flame. Simmer, I had not. This is the same stove that almost burned our tent down in Canada. This is the same stove that almost burned our tent down in Bowman Lake now too. I would have killed for an Optimus Nova Plus at that moment.

The rain quit. We went fishing, and caught quite a few nice 'gills and one bass. We caught frogs. We had the mother of all light saber battles (yes, we carried in light sabers.) And we slept like babies. Only to awake to a huge rainstorm again. Thank you Lord for seam sealing.

Proud papa.

Garrett shaking water off of hands (just missed a frog I think.)

The sugar maples are just starting to turn color.

Isn't he handsome? Looks like someone I know...

I wish this could have been a nicer looking boat, but I did like the composition.