Never ending lists and restless sleep

[pike mike]

The countdown is on .My screen saver countdown clock tells me I have roughly 3 full days left before we ,The Coca Cola Gang from the Hammer" , return once again to 3 Seasons Camp for a week in heaven . There will be 7 in our group this year .The usual suspects ,me-"Pike Mike" , "Smurf" , "Johnny Shad Rap" , "Fro" , "Scotland" and happily for the fist time together both of my two sons "Fred"(19) and "Chucky"(12). (Real names-Mike, Dave ,John ,Scott, Kyle ,Michael and Matthew) . The task at hand ...collectively bring less "stuff" with us and yet cover all weather ,insect  and fishing contingencies .A monstrous task by itself .My dilemma and personal task (keeping the endless lists growing and continuing my restless sleep ) bring less "stuff" but cover all contingencies for my sons and I ,not just myself . If I were packing for just me and forgot something ,oh well ,I'll make do but .......... trying to cover every possibility for my two sons ?? Thus the endless lists and sleepless nights
CANT WAIT TO GET THERE!!! Wish I could speed up this countdown clock!! Come on Saturday morning 3am !!!!

[RHYBAK]

oH-oH ,WHAT HAPPENED..STEPHAN (STEVE) IS NOT GOING?

[JLG]

Safe travels to you and your group Pike Mike.  Maybe we will be able to share a few stories over a cold one this year. I'll be the one walking around in a boot (broken ankle but still mobile).

[Fort Wisers]

Safe travels Pike Mike!
I'm sure you and your crew will have a great time!

I must admit, I found reading your post a touch therapeutic as I can currently relate!
My wife and I used to own on kipawa and are used to the stresses of getting ready for a "camp trip".
However we sold last year and are renting this year in July so my routine/mind set is a little off.

First, with previous Kipawa trips I'm used to certain things like fishing gear, swim suits, etc etc etc already being there, this year EVERYTHING is coming from home.
Secondly, We're bringing our two daughters (age 3 and 6) with the intent of having me and them (and my wife if she wants) fish most nights.
Bringing the girls on trips isn't new to us but bringing them with the intent of regular nightly fishing with them does seem to add a whole new level to the "did I think of everything?".
As you mentioned Pike Mike, if I forget something for myself, no big deal......but something forgotten for the kids and it could be a short night!
While this isn't their first trip to Kipawa, it is their first real fishing trip on the lake, so they're pretty excited (as am I).
However, I worry if the excitement will wear off quickly while out in the boat (if we happen to have a slower night) and only then will I realize I forgot to bring something else for them to do while I fish!
Even prepping the boat seems to be more stressful this year.
If the boat breaks down on a guys fishing trip it really isn't a huge deal.....makes for a good story even.
And when we owned, the shed was full of tools that may help fix an issue.
However, this year all I can think is, break down with two youngsters on-board and I suspect my blood pressure will be near fatal!
So i find myself checking, rechecking, worrying and contemplating rebuilding things on the boat that I previously never gave any concern to, as well as packing way more tools than I care to admit!


So all this in mind has got me worried that I'm going to forget something....something major!
I have to admit I have a lot of new found respect for all you folks who rent every year, especially you folks who are coming in from a very long way away!
(Not that owning on the lake doesn't come with it's own set of challenges but renting isn't quiet as care free as I think my wife and I convinced ourselves it would be).

Maybe I'm just getting older and am turning into a bit of a worrier!
In the end its all good, regardless!
We'll take lots of pictures and no matter how good or bad the trip goes, it will make for some lasting family memories!

Thanks for the post, glad I'm not the only father up at all hours running the lists over in my head!

Brent

[RHYBAK]

Safe travels Pike Mike!
I'm sure you and your crew will have a great time!

I must admit, I found reading your post a touch therapeutic as I can currently relate!
My wife and I used to own on kipawa and are used to the stresses of getting ready for a "camp trip".
However we sold last year and are renting this year in July so my routine/mind set is a little off.

First, with previous Kipawa trips I'm used to certain things like fishing gear, swim suits, etc etc etc already being there, this year EVERYTHING is coming from home.
Secondly, We're bringing our two daughters (age 3 and 6) with the intent of having me and them (and my wife if she wants) fish most nights.
Bringing the girls on trips isn't new to us but bringing them with the intent of regular nightly fishing with them does seem to add a whole new level to the "did I think of everything?".
As you mentioned Pike Mike, if I forget something for myself, no big deal......but something forgotten for the kids and it could be a short night!
While this isn't their first trip to Kipawa, it is their first real fishing trip on the lake, so they're pretty excited (as am I).
However, I worry if the excitement will wear off quickly while out in the boat (if we happen to have a slower night) and only then will I realize I forgot to bring something else for them to do while I fish!
Even prepping the boat seems to be more stressful this year.
If the boat breaks down on a guys fishing trip it really isn't a huge deal.....makes for a good story even.
And when we owned, the shed was full of tools that may help fix an issue.
However, this year all I can think is, break down with two youngsters on-board and I suspect my blood pressure will be near fatal!
So i find myself checking, rechecking, worrying and contemplating rebuilding things on the boat that I previously never gave any concern to, as well as packing way more tools than I care to admit!


So all this in mind has got me worried that I'm going to forget something....something major!
I have to admit I have a lot of new found respect for all you folks who rent every year, especially you folks who are coming in from a very long way away!
(Not that owning on the lake doesn't come with it's own set of challenges but renting isn't quiet as care free as I think my wife and I convinced ourselves it would be).

Maybe I'm just getting older and am turning into a bit of a worrier!
In the end its all good, regardless!
We'll take lots of pictures and no matter how good or bad the trip goes, it will make for some lasting family memories!

Thanks for the post, glad I'm not the only father up at all hours running the lists over in my head!

Brent

LOL.....We do it for months.

Even if I wasn't going this year ,I would do it just to stay in shape

[Oarin]

Brent, the 1st time renting is the hardest by far, you never know what you'll need. In the following years you'll have a much less stressful time. Most everything we take for the boat and cabin each year stays in water proof plastic containers all year. I may add stuff or take some out, but it's not that bad. I can see how the kids might raise the BP a bit, but getting them to Kipawa at an early age is great. I wish I had done that with my son, who's 40 now. We've been going for the last 5 years, but I wasted a lot of great times we could have had together.

[Fort Wisers]

Thanks guys!
@Oarin: I can definitely see it getting easier as time goes on and with each trip.
It's like anything new I suppose, takes time to create the routine!

@pike mike: you're getting close now!

Take care:
Brent

[pike mike]

Countdown : 2 days ,20 hours ,11 minutes until my alarm goes off and we leave .
As to the note concerning kids , yes I am very very happy both my sons are joining us this year .I know how valuable the shared life experience is . I am truly blessed to have a great relationship with my sons despite some bumps in the road of life for us all .My older son joined our 3 Seasons gang when he was 14 ,15 and 16 and his brother came at 10 and 11 but both joined us separately .This will be the first time to have them both out .Smiling from ear to ear !! Nothing better than watching your kids totally thrilled as they excitedly reel in the big one !

[CaptainCrappie]

Pike Mike...  Due to a lot of things, I will not experience the 3 Seasons Kipawa Experience this year.  The past eighteen summers I've had the privilege of going through the pre trip ritual.  Trying to make or buy some magic worm harness or lure, just to get Commander Bluegill's goat was always an added incentive. The Commander did the same to me. All the meetings, phone calls, lists, and time that vanishes, which, by the way, you do not get back, well, it's all good. I always had more tackle than needed.  We always had more food than needed, and except the week when I totally forgot to pack my skivvies, always packed more clothes than I needed.  Going commando really isn't that bad! I always felt that I'd rather be looking at it than looking for it and was the recipient of many snide comments.  Son Brian, who shared a lot of those trips was called "Sherpa" as he usually ended up carrying most of the heavy stuff like a trolling motor and it's battery on those Bat Lac pike adventures. He loved it. Oh, there were things that once in a while slipped through the cracks. Like the time I remembered on the trip north that I forgot to pack the corm meal mush, which became a traditional breakfast once during the week. That mush deal always brought back memories of my youth (and the Commander's) when growing up was a lot simpler, and that is what we had.   Thanks for Wal-Mart for saving that epic, monumental goof!  Just enjoy everything and take it all in.  Our group never caught 500 walleyes but we always ate fish and brought home our limits.  We made new friends and met many wonderful people. Just enjoy the stress, and all it brings. it's all good.

C.C.

[Fort Wisers]

@ C.C.
Wow, you have a knack for putting memories to paper!

Just reading your stories brought back a lot of memories of all our trips!
Thanks for the perspective and you're right, it is all good.
Sometimes the best trips we have back to look on are the ones that seemed like complete disasters at the time!
(my buddies and I used to jokingly call them "heck Trips"....)

Sorry to hear you're not going to experience your trip to 3 Seasons, that's a great camp and amazing part of the lake.
I hope you get on the lake at some point just the same.

Brent

[RHYBAK]

Pike Mike...  Due to a lot of things, I will not experience the 3 Seasons Kipawa Experience this year.  The past eighteen summers I've had the privilege of going through the pre trip ritual.  Trying to make or buy some magic worm harness or lure, just to get Commander Bluegill's goat was always an added incentive. The Commander did the same to me. All the meetings, phone calls, lists, and time that vanishes, which, by the way, you do not get back, well, it's all good. I always had more tackle than needed.  We always had more food than needed, and except the week when I totally forgot to pack my skivvies, always packed more clothes than I needed.  Going commando really isn't that bad! I always felt that I'd rather be looking at it than looking for it and was the recipient of many snide comments.  Son Brian, who shared a lot of those trips was called "Sherpa" as he usually ended up carrying most of the heavy stuff like a trolling motor and it's battery on those Bat Lac pike adventures. He loved it. Oh, there were things that once in a while slipped through the cracks. Like the time I remembered on the trip north that I forgot to pack the corm meal mush, which became a traditional breakfast once during the week. That mush deal always brought back memories of my youth (and the Commander's) when growing up was a lot simpler, and that is what we had.   Thanks for Wal-Mart for saving that epic, monumental goof!  Just enjoy everything and take it all in.  Our group never caught 500 walleyes but we always ate fish and brought home our limits.  We made new friends and met many wonderful people. Just enjoy the stress, and all it brings. it's all good.

C.C.

Wow, now those are words of wisdom'

[SgtCrabby]

Brent,  It's  simple:  all the information by the others is right on.  And as the probably longest distance member;  if it's forgotten, you'll probably make do without it and have it become part of the fond memories afterwards.   
And come to think of it, it's time for me to start figuring out what I'm going to take this year.
Sarge

[Fort Wisers]

Brent,  It's  simple:  all the information by the others is right on.  And as the probably longest distance member;  if it's forgotten, you'll probably make do without it and have it become part of the fond memories afterwards.   
And come to think of it, it's time for me to start figuring out what I'm going to take this year.
Sarge

Hey Sarge, yeah there's a lot of good advice on this thread, and you're right, it's all about perspective isn't it!