Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 17:06:26 -0400
From: BWCT admin <bwctadmin@cox.net>
Subject: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip Ch 0

Boundary Waters canoe trip, Original Cut (Chapter 0)

This story is 100% fact. It holds a place in my heart and will never leave
it. It was the best week of my life and I want to share it with
people. Comments to BWCTadmin@cox.net

Update 4/10/04- I warn you that this was originally written quite a while
ago, and for some strange reason I felt the need to fill it with the most
stupid blend of humor I could possibly imagine, as well as a lot of vague
references to fading memories.  However, you guys said you wanted the
"original" and that's what this is.  I make no assurances that you will
walk away happy, as this is so poorly written, but here you go.

	I was about 17 at the time, I believe. The years have passed and
its hard to remember when. I will NEVER forget how great that week was.

	I was part of a boy scout troop in North central Iowa (no
laughing!) and we were planning a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters in
Grand Marais, Minn.

	I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I first joined troop 401 in
Mason City, Iowa when I moved there in Late '94. My first impressions of
the troop were a little low. We were meeting in the Knights of Columbus, I
believe. The room we met in was small, it was actually a bar for social
gatherings the Knights had.

	I had transferred in from a troop that I LOVED in Southern New
Jersey. I hated to leave because it was a great troop. The kids were a
little on the strange side, but it was fun. Anyway, I had gone to my first
meeting and met Gary, the man who ran the troop. One boy in particular,
Chris, Gary's son, caught my eye immediately. He was short, very cute, and
I mean VERY cute, wonderful face. He was smart and funny, enjoyable to be
around.

	The troop kept meeting there for a while, until we were informed
that Gary and his son were moving to Arkansas. I was very disappointed. I
loved Chris (not in the TRUE sense of the word, but he was good eye
candy). Even Gary was a nice guy. But, there was nothing we could do. The
troop was then taken over by another boy's father, by the name of Chuck.

	Chuck, I felt, was not as good a scoutmaster as Gary. Of course,
that might have just been because he was quite large, and a
minister. Needless to say, the meetings began to take on a more religious
feel. Not to say we were reading the Bible and stuff, but we began saying
the Lord's Prayer after our monday meeting, and before weekend camping
trips. Often, after such trips, we attended a church on the way home. Not
that I hated it, but it's not something the scouts should be doing, what
with such controversy surrounding the institution.

	Well, it was about 2 years later when Chuck suggested a big late
summer canoe trip up north, to the Boundary waters. We were all
excited. For the most part, only the older scouts (those with first class
or above if you know what that means) were allowed to go.

	And so the plans began to be put into motion. We had to do a couple
short canoe trips in Clear Lake, a town a few miles east of us. This was
meant to help us improve our conoeing skills. I never did master the
J-stroke that was so important to the stern position. No giggling! it has
nothing to do with what you're thinking!! LOL, anyway....  I can't say as I
remember quite when we found out, but we were told that Gary and Chris
would be joining us on this trip. I was so excited to see him again! Just a
few short weeks and he would be here. I couldn't wait.

	Well, preparations continued until it was time to go. It was august
19th and we met up early in the morning at *somewhere* and I got to see
Gary and CHRIS! I was so excited.

	I finally got a look at him. He had changed so much in 2 years. He
had lost his boyish cuteness and was obviously in the throes of puberty. He
was in the middle of his awkwardness phase, but I never thought twice about
it. He was still cute to me. Maybe I did really LOVE him. He was blond,
and, it's sad that I don't remember the color of his eyes. If I had to
guess, I would say light green, though I can't be sure. He seemed to be
somewhat monotone, for some reason or another. I don't know why. He knew
most of the boys, but there were some who were new to him. Maybe he was
just nervous. Only he could tell you why, and I unfortunately lost touch
with him. God, I miss him.

	ANYWAY.....choke back the tears now, Matt. Whew.

	I'm pretty sure I hugged him, but it left a lot unsatisfied. I
could have hugged him for hours.

	We packed all our gear into the trailer and began the long drive to
Grand Marais, MN. Boy was it long! Some of us slept, some played video
games. I was busy watching Chris the whole time.

	I believe we stopped at McDonalds somewhere along the way. We ate,
joked, did what kids did, then were on our way again.  By the time we got
to Grand Marais, it was suppertime. We went to the main office, checked in,
and were shown to the cabins. Boy they treated us nice. The cabins were
good sized buildings, two or 3 rooms on each side, and an enclosed porch in
the middle. Some of us were on one side, some on the other. We basically
got all our gear loaded into the rooms, then went out for dinner. Don't ask
me what we had.

	After we returned, we had just enough time to shower, do our
nighttime deeds, and go to bed. We had to get up early the next
day. UNFORTUNATELY, I was not bunked in with Chris. If I was I would
probably be hard all night and soaking my pillow with drool the whole
night.

	Whatever time we got up the next morning, it was too damn early. We
basically had to distribute all the food, cooking supplies, and the like
into large waterproof bags, each canoe to be carrying one or two throughout
the trip. We were issued paddles, life vests, and given last minute
instructions before we shoved off.  We paddled a ways before we stopped to
rest and eat lunch, then paddled on until we decided to stop for the
day. Unfortunately, there was a limit to the number of people in the
campsites, so only half of us could stay at one, and half at another
downstream. Guess where I was. NOT WITH CHRIS! GRRRRRRRRR!

	It was time for dinner, so we got out the cooking supplies given to
us by the outfitters, as well as some food or another. Again, don't ask me
what it was. I only remember the important things, like Chris.

	Can you tell I was a little infatuated?

	Down, Boy! Damn love muscle can get you into so much trouble.....

	Anyway, we pitched our large tents and sacked up for the night. I
think we were too tired to talk. Canoeing isn't as easy as it looks.

	The following day, we decided to make this camp our home base, and
that we'd only do day trips around the area the next 2 days, then move up
to a new area and do the same. That's exactly what we did. We explored
around the islands in that rivers and lakes, made jokes and had
fun. Whenever Chris was in eyesight, I was happy.  After a couple days, we
moved on. We canoed until we hit a portage. If you don't know what that is,
its basically the end of a lake. There is a path set up to the next lake, a
few hundred yards ahead. So, we pulled up to the portage, got out, and
unloaded our gear onto a clearing then picked up our canoes and carried
them through the path, which, like I said, is about 100 to 200 yards long,
and put them down on the other side. Sometimes we would run into one of our
mates and help them carry theirs if they needed to. Then we would return to
the side we started on and carry all the life vests and food/supply packs
to the other side. The first time was by far the worst. We carried so much
shit that we were damn near exhausted.

	I don't remember how much further we canoed, but at some point, we
stopped again and set up camp. We went swimming at night once, and never
again. The water was FREEZING! Well, truthfully, it was pretty cold all the
time. During the day it was about warm enough to be comfortable, and nights
were bone chilling. I loved seeing my mates dripping wet. God they were
hot. No, unfortunately I don't recall seeing much of Chris
shirtless. Pity....

	And so begins more day trips, each as fun as the next. We
encountered a waterfall *somewhere* along the way, and we climed the rocks
and goofed around.  God, I wish I had kept my camera closer to me. I took a
lot of photos, but not nearly enough.

	On we went after 2 days to our last home base, portaging twice, I
believe. They were much longer than the first, but we got used to them.  I
remember going out at night to help gather water for purifying. I mean,
come on, did you think there were fountains in such an unpopulated area of
minnesota???? Sheesh!  Yes, I'm strange. Get over it!

	Jason's dad is an anesthesiologist, and he brought along a
purification doo-hickey. It was fun to play with. LOL! Yes, I know one
doesnt have much to do with the other. But he was dorky and cool all at
once.

	Anyway, here we were at our last camp, taking trips, having fun,
sharing memories, shooting the shit, whatever we could do.

	Don't think for one second that in all the hub-bub, Chris left my
thoughts, even for a second. This story is half about him. We talked, joked
a little. Less than I would have liked to do, but he had kinda grown away
from the group when he left. It was ok, I didn't need to lose my virginity
to him to know that he was my friend and I his.  Last camp, same old shit,
day trips, cooking kickass meals that left you fully satisfied, swimming
(yeah right! I'd like to keep my balls where they belong, ie not in my
throat).  We were on the home stretch of our journey, which was basically a
loop back towards the outfitters. None of us wanted to go home.

	When we arrived back at the outfitter, we turned in our gear and
rode took the long trip back home. We debated staying in a hotel along the
way, but decided just to go straight home.

	Another long ride, it was, and I was sad that soon I'd be seeing my
friend leave again. He fell asleep along the way, head resting
uncomfortably on the window. I guided him to lay his head on my shoulder. I
think he didn't seem to like it at first, but soon his head was resting
comfortably on my chest, my arm around his back. Listening to him sleep was
so great. I loved the feeling of my arm around his warm body. I was holding
the boy that I was so infatuated with, as he peacefully slept in my
embrace.  Would it surprise you if I said I was hard during this? Probably
not.

	Soon we were back at one of our scout leader's houses, disengaging
the trailer and unloading our gear. Our parents had been called ahead to
come pick us up, and some were already there when we arrived. Mine weren't
yet.

	I said goodbye to my friends till next monday, and found Chris
around the garage in the back, shirtless. FINALLY! LOL! I couldn't really
hug him close, cause it would have seemed awkward given his state of
undress. Granted he wasn't nude, but it still felt strange. I hugged him
lightly and said goodbye, then found Gary and we said our goodbyes.

	My parents arrived shortly after, and I said goodbye my friends as
I left, stowing my gear in the back seat of my father's camaro. The ride
home, we talked a little, but I was way too tired to really go into the
details of everything. The ride was quiet, and I was so ready to go to bed.

	Once arriving home, I had barely enough energy to shower before I
went to bed. I didn't even retrieve my pack from my father's car. I was
beat. I had just gotten home from the most exciting week of my life. I had
seen a friend that I never thought I'd see again. I'll never forget that
experience, nor my friend, Chris. Yes! You're right. I LOVED HIM! Got
something to say about it????? Don't care...

	I would give anything to be back there again with my friends, and
be young and happy. I would give anything to share my love with
Chris. Maybe I'll have to go searching for him again. Oh the wonders of the
Internet.

	Maybe now you'll understand why I think about my trip to the
Boundary Waters all the time, why it brings me happiness to remember, why
my angel Chris, or any of the others (not that they didn't mean a lot to
me), will never be forgotten.

	Well, that was it. I hope you liked it. Comments to
bwctadmin@cox.net