So my friend Mike had never been camping before. I decided to help him get started off on the right foot. Several months later, he had his Warbonnet Blackbird and a proper pack and we were off.

We didn't go far, but had a good time camping on an island in the St. Croix river not far from Osceola. Saw the Northern Lights sometime in the wee hours. Paddled around in the canoe a bit. A nice summer overnighter and not a bad first experience for my pal.