Shoalwater Outing

Darn....I always miss all the fun trips. Can't wait to here about this trip.

I second Ken's comments, and as usual, Ken is very modest about his contribution to the good weekend. His generous sharing of a wee dram of Irish Whiskey was a great addition to the trip. It may also have contributed to everyone's good disposition about the "questionable choice" of camp site locations. A certain advance scout who will go nameless along with a true Eagle Scout who will also go nameless, failed to recognize that they were one island short of the preferred camp location. The consequences of that "questionable" choice was that several campers awoke saturday morning to about 3 inches of water in their campsite. I shudder to think how everyone would have acted had it not been for the Bushmill's the night before. Next time, the advance scouting party will be a little more careful in the choice of camp sites. I appreciate how good natured everyone who had to relocate their tents and dry out their stuff was about that snafu. I'm sure the pictures in this months trip report will be worth a thousand words. All in all it was another memorable PACK outing. The best part of these trips is the group of people who go. PACK is a great club with outstanding members who know how to have a good time regardless of what Mother Nature may throw at them. Also, Kudos to Eli for leading the trip, always one of the best of the year and especially to his friend Paula who would brighten any campsite. She really is a terrific addition to our trips and is a real trooper to handle all the challenges that primitive camping with about 10 men can create. Hats off to Eli and Paula....

Thanks to Eli, our fearless group leader and Ken's hospitality with the fine Bourbon, and Ron's gourmet cooking, and everyone else for whatever contribution they made. And Ron, I consider  your delicious fried fish to be compensation for your choice of such a lousy campsite. Even though I caught no fish (which is getting to be a habit) and spending a sleepless night in a collapsed tent, I still had a terrific time. One thing that I learned is that I will NEVER be without my casting net again!

I should also mention that my new Native worked out fine. I would guess that I covered 90% of the distance using the peddle system and only paddled about 10%. In other words, it wasn't physically taxing at all. But if it were so shallow that I had to paddle those 5.5 miles, I would be dead.

I look forward to the next campout with you guys and a NEW REI low profile and overpriced tent!!! Joel

 Thank you Eli, for another great, adventurous, and SAFE trip.  Sorry about that campsite, but fighting the wind for six miles (the first two miles without enough water to use my peddles} left me bereft of the strength to argue with Ron about his selection being the wrong island.