Planning an epic canoe trip

[Johnny]

I'm the oldest of five. My two brothers and I are best buds but live hours apart and don't get together much. Last year, we all met at my place for a long weekend and went on a canoe trip down one of Michigan's scenic rivers (Pere Marquette River). Even though we're all in our early 60's and late 50's, whenever we get together, we revert back to about age 8. The canoe trip was an absolute blast.

We did have one potentially major mishap. None of us secured any of our gear and one canoe flipped late in the trip. One brother is a Type I diabetic and all his "kit" went overboard along with dozens of items scattered in the canoe. Fortunately, I was downstream in a kayak and was able to catch everything to include 2 cell phones! When my wife found out what happened, she chewed our asses big-time. Deservedly so. Three 8-year old boys alone in the wilderness cannot be trusted. For the past year, every time we talk, the canoe trip comes up.

This year, we're doing it again but it will have one additional "8-year-old boy": a dude I grew up with that I haven't seen in decades. Like last time, wife will be in full support mode, transporting, cooking, and chewing our asses as needed.

I sure hope it works out. Right now everything's in the planning mode and everyone's geeked so far.

[Johnny]

It's 7 July. Epic canoe trip has started. My two brothers and childhood buddy showed up around 1030. I took them all out to lunch at a fantastic local greasy spoon for a giant burger and fries. We spent the rest of the day hanging out on the porch catching up, telling stories, and harassing one another. For dinner, I grilled brats, and corn on the cob. Wife made 3-ban salad. The boats are loaded. Wife will drop us off tomorrow morning.