2011 New Years Resolutions

This is a bit of a first for me. I usually don’t like resolutions, especially forced ones just because the calendar reset. But in the midst of planning for this year’s trips, I found that while I don’t call them resolutions, I do plan  activities, goals and expectations for the upcoming year. Also, I’ve been looking back at some of the goals I set for 2010, and I proudly accomplished many of them. So to that end, here are my 2011 New Year’s Resolutions, listed in no particular order:

• Paddle to Protect – I wrote about this concept here, and would like to make sure that trips this year involve areas that need to be reinforced as places for canoeing and camping, or just need to be protected and so turned into a canoe destination.
• Tackle the very toughest portages – How do you know it’s going to be a tough portage? It’s got a name. I’m collecting a list of very tough portages and want to incorporate them into trips. I’d love to hear from anyone with suggestions in the comments section. Don’t forget to include its name if you know it.
• Teach Nancy to paddle – Maybe this one might be a long shot, but on a long day of paddling I can’t help thinking she might not be pulling her weight. Then again, maybe I’m overlooking the role she does play.
• Sliverpeak Trail – We didn’t make it last year, as a side trip. This year we’re going to create a trip dedicated to getting up to the top of Killarney.
• Help my wife – My poor wife has to put up with boring stories about canoeing and camping and paddling and the outdoors. She has to look at maps and be shown gear and have her house filled with camping junk. While it would be unrealistic to stop that behaviour (I’ve tried to cut it down), the least I can do is to help her out more. I resolve to do more chores and help out more around the house to lessen her burden as much as I can. She’s a busy lady with her business, the dogs, and a husband that just can’t seem to understand why maps aren’t as fascinating to some people.
• Try out a tent hammock – There’s a bunch of gear out there that I’d like to try (and have lengthy discussions with my wife about them), but none so much as a tent hammock. I’ve been reluctant to get one because I’m not so sure Nancy will be comfortable in one. I’ve decided this year that we’ll try it, at least once.
• ORCKA certification – I’ve never had formal lessons on paddling, and while I’ve read, discussed and practiced way too much on the subject of paddling techniques and making the most out of your stroke, I think it’s finally time to take a course to brush up my paddling skills. It’s never too late to pick up a new trick, or probably more importantly, correct a bad habit.
• Make a paddle – I mentioned in a previous post that I signed up for a course to make a fancy new paddle with Bruce Smith Paddles. I’m very excited about it. I just hope I have the patience and skill to take full advantage and make myself a great one.
• Take greater tent care – I should really “do as I say, not as I do” and take better care of my tent a little better. I advise people all the time to never store a wet tent, but I can’t count how many times I’ve pulled out a drenched tent out of the bag on the first day of a trip. I’m not sure how long that luck will hold up. My tent has been so good to me. It deserves better.
• Talk to Kevin Callan – I’ve read all his books, read his blog posts and watch his videos, and even sit in his little talks at the outdoor shows. He’s a friendly guy who talks to people and has his picture taken with them all the time, but I’ve never taken the opportunity to tell him how helpful and inspiring he’s been to me. (My wife believes me to be quite the nerd for whom I get star struck!) This year, if I get the chance I’m going to see if he’ll agree to take a picture with me and post it to the site.
• Organize my gear – I’m going to find a way to better organize my gear, finding an appropriate spot for it all in a well organized way (see “My Poor Wife” above).
• Plan a Group of Seven for Artists trip – This year we’re going to plan for a Group of Seven experience. Killarney Provincial park was the inspiration for some of the greatest works by Canadian artists. This trip will take aspiring artists into the very places where painters like A.Y. Jackson and Franklin Carmicheal completed some of their great works. A painting instructor will even be joining us for feedback and guidance. (Similar trips will be available for photographers and history buffs.) If you know anyone who would be interested, contact us at trips@portageur.ca.

Sounds like it’s going to be an exciting year! So from everyone at Portageur, best wishes for a fantastic 2011 with lots of great times paddling in the outdoors. What are your paddling plans for 2011?