Watching Goslings on our First Canoe Trip of 2020

With limited dispersed camping areas open in Wisconsin due to the Covid19 pandemic, we set off for a  closer-to-home destination. We went on a rainy spring day thinking the Turtle Flambeau Flowage would not be busy until Memorial Weekend. On the way, we saw other cars carrying canoes. As one sped by, I said to my husband, "Look they're racing you, they're trying to beat you to the campsite." We laughed, in a state with so much water, they could be headed anywhere. Imagine our surprise when we got to the landing and there they were, putting their boats. And yes, they did beat us to the first open campsite, although it wasn't a race and we were looking to go further in.


On this trip, we were testing our ability to enjoy a trip with less gear as part of preparing to try and single portage some longer portages in bigger wilderness areas in the future. Typically we carry two small packs, two big packs, a food barrel and a canoe. This forces us to double portage. We scaled back a good bit, and this trip we carried a food barrel, one big pack and one small pack.

On our campsite we noticed an abandoned nest full of downy feathers and broken eggshells. Much to our delight, we went for a paddle and saw geese with goslings we imagined came from our newly discovered nest. Video of the nest and the goslings are available in the video link.

Much of the trip was cold and rainy, being springtime in the north. However, this didn't slow the motor boats down much. It turned out our campsite, #32, seems to be a favorite fishing spot and we spent plenty of time watching fishermen slowly circle our small island campsite trying to catch fish. We also observed none of them caught anything.

Trip Video

Overall it was a good trip. We are accustomed to camping in the rain and cold weather, this was fine. The wild flowers had started, but the biting bugs had not started yet, such a nice time to be in camp. On this trip we learned that we enjoyed ourselves with less gear and the only thing that was dearly missed was the hammock. After having been cooped up at home sitting out the corona virus, it felt good to be outside where life is simple. Our biggest concern, putting one paddle stroke in front of the next and where to find dry firewood.

That's all for now, let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!