Feedback from the show...

So I asked for stories, and they're coming in.  This one from this morning...

"This was my first time to Canoecopia and I had a ball. Since I'd purchased a Hurricane Santee Sport 116 from you in October, I of course stopped by the Hurricane booth on the floor. I got to talk directly to Brad Taylor, which was a nice surprise. We discussed the 116, naturally. I told him I bought it as it was the only kayak I knew ofwhich was designed with birders in mind, and I'm a hard-core birder. 

"He immediately asked what could be done to improve the 116 for birding. Since I've not had it out that much yet - thanks to winter - I told him what I thought so far and he made a strong point of asking me to send him e-mail as I continue to use the boat for birding so they can continue to improve it. I wasn't expecting this kind of close contact with the companies and their officers, and really appreciated it. I'll be back next year!"

A Week Out...

...and things are still relatively calm.  A few frantic folks didn't get their exhibitor packets.  I'll work on that one.

Everyone stay calm.  Please.  Worryin' never made anythin' work better, y'hear?

We had a good staff meeting Tuesday.  Bodie ran it.

See you soon..

         Darren

Congratulations, Canoecopia fans...

...you've succeeded in crashing our webserver.

To quote Scotty from the Old Star Trek, "I dinna think she kin handl' much more, Cap'n." We have a very good ISP, but when our traffic takes over the entire server there, they cut us off. So we're cut off.

We're working to solve the problem. I guess if you're going to have problems, having a server get overloaded with requests is a good one.

Thanks!

Darren

Two weeks to load-in.

Things are humming.  And we are getting a little bit silly.  Yesterday we were at a snowball fight and some work broke out.  It might seem strange to you, but the page came over the entercom yesterday:

"Attention all staff...a three-minute snowball fight

 will commence in front of the shop.  That is all."

This was about the same time that Brian build the snowman on the deck.  Before too long he was dressed for action.  Sadly, he melted an hour later.  No, strike that...  Happily, he melted an hour later.  We're ready for this to be over.  We want 50s and we want them now.

Seriously, a little levity is critical right now.  Those semi trailers you see in the background are product coming in daily.  Marit and Joe are running a smooth sailing ship...and the new staff are awesome.  Stuff comes in, gets received, tagged, and is turned around and stored in our warehouse until the big day.  Sometimes our manufacturers make mistakes, but they're all taken in stride and it all works out in the end.

The stress level is way low, for some reason.  Sasha is taking off for a week for a cruise (something that never happens - Sasha's a workaholic) with her partner and is actually not too stressed about leaving.  I think it's a great sign that key staff are taking time off so close to the event...that means the plans are in place, and that the team is willing to pick up some slack so people can get some R&R in before the season starts.

Oh...Mary (the Accountant) is back from her short L.O.A. and was presented with her own Herbert Kornfeld* t-shirt by Charlie, one of the new staff who also loves H-Dog.  

I love these people...

*Note that some of H-Dog's language is somewhat colorful. Word.

Meet Dorian and Ramon

Rutabaga supports several charitable organizations, and one of our favorites is Big City Mountaineers (BCM), a national organization that gets inner city kids out in nature.  A lot of these kids have had difficult lives, and had never been anywhere outside their neighborhoods, let alone the Boundary Waters.  Here are a few pictures and their own stories.

I went on one of the BCM trips last year and I loved it. The reason I liked it so much was because I got to experience how some people used to live before there were buildings and houses. I also got to go with friends and my mentor, Gary.  We all had to work together when we canoed and even simple stuff like putting up and taking down the tents built more trust in each other.

My experience was very good. Not all kids get to go on trips like this and enjoy nature and beauty. I have never seen so many wild animals. I enjoyed walking the portages, because we got to see the woods and animals.  I have never seen so many eagles in one day in my life.

The reason the trip was so much fun was also because of our leaders. One leader's name was Jeff; he always made us laugh and just did what he had to do to make the trip fun. I hope to have him again and can't wait to go again this year. Thank you BCM for making my summer complete.

Sincerely,

Ramon Arroyo

Hello BCM,

My name is Dorian Curtis.  I attended the BCM boundary waters canoe trip last summer.  It was my second trip and I was chosen to be a youth peer leader role model to the younger youth. I really grew by having the title and experience of being a peer leader. Being a peer leader made me more responsible for making sure the tents get up, the food get put away in its proper place and everything stays dry.  Being out on the water all day made us think about getting back to shore to eat and sleep. 

It was a great chance to get away from my harsh environment and meet people like Jeff, Ian, and Robb.  They taught me how to cope with the outdoors and how to canoe the proper way.  Being out in the wilderness is so beautiful and peaceful.  I'm really looking forward to going again in July.  I think everyone should experience the BCM trip at least once in their life time.

Thank you BCM,

   Dorian Curtis   

Both Dorian and Ramon will be at Canoecopia to help us out and talk with folks about their experiences, so stop by the BCM booth and see what Big City Mountaineers has done for them...and hopefully, what you can do for Big City Mountaineers.

Meet Al Barsema

Howdy y'all. We've been in a mad rush to get the gazette to bed, and more than half of the folks placing ads have been late (like three weeks late). It's frustrating for poor Annie. If you think of it, tell Annie you think she's awesome. I would have blown a gasket. But now it's all good, still waiting for a few ad agencies to earn their salt.

I wanted to talk about a speaker every few days to give you a little more insight than you can get from a bio or talk description.

Today I want to talk about Al Barsema. I want to be Al in 13 years. Al took a solo trip at 60 into Quetico Provincial Park. I called Al to ask him why.

"Why did I do this? Well, it was a celebration of my sixtieth birthday. After returning from Alaska, I wanted to do something in the outdoors, and I went to the Boundary Waters with some of the guys from church.

"My work is very intense, starting businesses and using a lot of new technology. Luckily, my wife is understanding. She's not a camper, and she understands that I needed to get away and unplug from everything, to get time to reconnect with the Creator and the creation.

"I go up every May and October, and have beeing doing it for 5 years. I was looking at the map and saw a lake in the middle of Quetico called Allan Lake. So I thought, 'Why not go from the top of Quetico to Allan Lake and back?' So I did, then I thought, 'Why not go from the bottom of Quetico to Allan Lake?' So I did. Then I thought, 'Why not go from the top all the way through?' So I did.

"The best thing about it was MAKING it. Seriously, the best part was being alone for 9 days. I'm not antisocial or anything, but I enjoy being alone, and I get into a different zone and it's a special time for me. The challenges of making it is great ...but with a little confidence you can make it. Its a wonderful park to play in."

As I said, I want to be Allan when I grow up.

Until next time,

Darren