A letter from Linda to the family while on her three-week Outward Bound experience in Minnesota, Canada and New Hampshire, during September 1982. She worked two jobs for a year to earn the approximately $2,000 she needed for the trip. We think Linda wasn’t able to mail the letter from the wilderness and gave it to Mom, not quite finished, when she returned home.
By Linda Beaver, September 1982
Dear Mom, Dad, Everybody —
It was good talking to you, but also frustrating. I wanted to know all of what was going on at home; who’s doing what, how each of you are spending the days and evenings. How are Grandma, Uncle Bob, and Tim? How often to you see Kathy? I wanted to be able to talk about all I’ve been doing — which is so much.
The canoe phase was something. Before it started I really wasn’t looking forward to it. All I could think about was being out in cold weather with rain and constantly wet feet — and I hate being wet and cold. As it turns out, that’s how it was the whole time but I truly enjoyed it.
Our days went like this: up around 7 a.m, into our wet pants, socks and shoes from the day before — eat breakfast and break camp. This all took 2 to 3 hours because there was a lot of work and packing to be done. Then we would set out into the cold, misty or rainy morning for our day’s work. We would paddle across a lake, find our portage trail and unload canoes and carry all our packs and equipment over land to the next lake or river. It was pretty hard work sometime — depending on the trail. We had to walk through mud and water, watching out for all kinds of slippery roots and rocks. We kept paddling and portaging until we got to our destination or until near-dark. Our nights were full with setting up tents and preparing supper over a fire. We did get nearly 8-10 hrs of sleep since it would be dark early.
It was good to travel across large lakes and smaller lakes in the wind and the rain and to know that it was all muscle power that put the distance behind. And the trees and cliffs surrounding the lakes were beautiful! Mostly pine trees and white birch, so the colors were mainly yellows and greens. We got to see a bald eagle 2 to 3 times. It felt good to see that (huge) bird perched on top of the tallest pine tree and then taking off in flight. The most beautiful sound was the loons calling. Such a lonely, lovely sound! This as by far one of my favorite experiences of the trip.