Compiled by Adam Fornear
I’m sitting on the dock with my feet positioned on either side of the stern thwart on Sawbill Lake, entry point #38, in the BWCAW. Were about to push off for our 23rd year of former-Nebagamon staffers getting out into the Boundary Waters for a fall paddle. Overcast skies, some light mist, temps just reaching 50 degrees, one sitting duff, and Duluth Packs loaded up with some classic Nebagamon trip food. Here we go!
We paddle to the north end of Sawbill and then take a couple portages onto Cherokee Creek, making our way to a very sweet site on Cherokee Lake. Many Nebagamon campers and staff have traveled this route, and for good reason: Cherokee is a spectacular lake. Lots of islands, exposed Canadian shield granite slabs, and undulating topography. Our group traveled smoothly, telling some of the same stories year after year (and still laughing). Portages were smooth, efficient, and beautiful with all of the downed leaves. I love traveling in the Boundary Waters this time of year. Once we arrived at our campsite, everyone got to work setting up tents, hunting down firewood and of course enjoying a bounty of Hill Valley Cheese, triscuits, smoked whitefish and apples (Jim Stewart insists that we bring a bag of apples every year…). Dinner was a delicious Pesto Carb (real pesto from Andy and Amy Mack’s yard/kitchen and was thoroughly enjoyed by all around the fire that Sam Kohn kept going well into the night.
The next morning Sammy got the fire going and we enjoyed some coffee and the classic egg glop (hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, onions, green peppers, cheese and spinach) before heading back down to Sawbill for our final night. It was a gorgeous day to travel by canoe and we ended up scoring a sweet, west-facing site on a giant slab of granite. Laughter, messing with the fire, and a stunningly beautiful sunset made for a solid final night in the Northwoods.
The crew consisted of Adam Braude, Randy Needlman, Jim Stewart, Jim Feldman, Peter Braude, Sam Kohn and myself. As I stated earlier, this was our 23rd year paddling the Boundary Waters together. Many of us were on staff together in the early 90’s and those connections and friendships that we made way back then are what keeps this trip alive year after year. I consider myself lucky to be a part of this crew and the strength of these relationships remind me everyday of the greatness of the Camp Nebagamon family.
After a final cup of coffee and some oatmeal around the fire Sunday morning, we loaded up the boats and paddled south back to the landing. The lake was flat, the paddling was smooth, and of course the laughter amongst friends from a summer camp in Wisconsin put a smile on my face all the way back to the traffic lights in Two Harbors.
Nice work on those of you that sent me some news since last month’s Arrowhead. Thank you a million! Let’s keep up the good work and have the rest of you send me some news as well so I can make you famous in the Arrowhead and maybe even (no promises) get that news/picture on our social media. Please shoot me an email at [email protected]. In the meantime, reach out to your camp friends to say hello or better yet, introduce Camp Nebagamon to someone new and let them enjoy all the great things about camp!
IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW THAT Micah Rosenbloom (Nashville) is rowing crew for his school and the Nashville Rowing Club. Jude Alderman (Tulsa) is going as Paul Bunyan for Halloween. We’ve seen the picture and Jude totally pulls it off, nice work!
IN THE WHERE-ARE-THEY-NOW DEPARTMENT: Bill Guthman (Atlanta/Chattanooga ‘70-‘75) has come out of retirement, as Sales Director for Tennessee Brown Bag, a manufacturer of Premium, Home Style, Fine-Cut Beef Jerky. Mark Caro (Chicago ’74-‘79) has created his own podcast and website called Caropop. First, there’s the Caropop podcast (or Caropopcast!) where Mark shares extended conversation with a creative person. In the first episode, up now, Mark interviews his favorite guitarist who’s also a fantastic singer-songwriter, Richard Thompson. Ryan Glasspiegel (CT/Chicago’96-’02,’05-’07,’09) is starting at the New York Post, covering the intersection of sports and entertainment.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT ENGAGEMENTS go to Madeline Scharff (Memphis/Portland, ME ’10,’12,’14) and Tommy Mourmouras (Portland, ME).
WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS go to Peter Soroko (L.A. ’02-’06,’08-‘09) and Kristen Kalkin Soroko (L.A.), as well as Jeff Schram (Boston ’97-’02,’04-‘06) and Natalie Mandel (Boston).
IN THE BIBS and DIAPERS DEPARTMENT! It’s a girl, Hannah Jo, for Joe Briggs (Columbus, ’12-’22) and Katay Briggs (Columbus ’17-‘19). It’s a boy, Trent Plaza, for Judd Rosenblatt (Playa del Rey, CA ’99-’04,’06-’08,’11) and Melanie Rosenblatt (Playa del Rey, CA).