The Man Trip - Camping Chevlon Canyon Lake...

Oh, the man trip... A concept employed by wives, girlfriends and mothers alike for centuries to rid themselves of the nuances of men and boys... We men like to think man trips are our idea and do our best to take ownership of the invention, but in some cases, the initiation is a suggestion of one of the women associated with one of the men... This trip was no different, and I'm not sure to say wether we acted more like men or boys...

Late into the night on Wednesday the 25th of May, four of us (65% of our six man group) set out from Amarillo, westward, toward Flagstaff, Arizona.  We were myself, Blake Henderson, Blaine Henderson (no relation) and Nate Dalke, who had recently arrived in Amarillo from his mission posting in Managua, Nicaragua.

"On The Road Again"... Heading out from Amarillo... (L to R, Blake, Nate, Blaine and Me)

Upon arriving in Flagstaff at around 5:30 a.m. local time, we all four collapsed onto the floor of a relative of a friend's house on sleeping palates they had set out for us...  After three hours of sleep and a delicious home cooked breakfast from our gracious hostess, we set about finishing the last minute details of our man trip by meeting up with the other two members of our expedition, local Flagstaffians Brian Tinder and Charlie McCallie, purchasing supplies and food and renting a canoe from a local shop in Flag.

Fast forward a few hours past some more organization, some driving and an hour long stop at Wal-Mart to purchase fishing licenses, more supplies, and, eh-hem a "little" beer, we were standing atop a mile long gravel road, impassible by vehicles larger than a four wheeler with around a half ton of gear, including our canoe.

So it began...

L to R, Me, Charlie, Brian, Blaine, Blake and Nate.  Just before our decent down a +/- 1 mile gravel road (on foot) to Chevlon Canyon Lake.

The stars and lake our fist night of camp (Photo: Charlie McCallie).

After my first night of sleeping outdoors, I needed some coffee (Photo: Charlie McCallie).

Blaine and Charlie went out in the canoe to find us a better camp site.  They were successful!

We had to haul all of our gear to the campsite for night 2 about 1/2 mile across the lake (Photo: Charlie McCallie)

Campsite 2

The View of Campsite 2 from a ridge above the site... (Photo: Charlie McCallie) 

My morning view when I woke up at campsite 2.

Nate had to borrow a tent from Blake.  Apparently, Blake brought the tent that his kids use.

On a ridge above campsite 2 (Photo: Charlie McCallie).

About to hump our gear back up the mile long gravel road... The smiles didn't last long (Photo: Charlie McCallie).

Camp 3.   

 

Our man trip, no matter who's idea it was, was indeed a great one. We were able to relax, re-charge, do man things like fish and paddle canoes (which this author may or may not have tipped over for no apparent reason 100 meters from shore in freezing cold water... It shall remain a mystery for those not present). We had great conversation, cooked fish pulled directly from the lake over an open flame, drank a beer "or two" and expressed our freedom to do things with our bodily functions that women hate and little boys and men alike think are hilarious...

Most importantly, we all picked up our friendships right where they left off the last time we saw one another.

On the morning of day 4, just before returning to Flagstaff... Left to Right, Bear (in the arms of Charlie), Charlie, Blaine, Blake, Petzl (in the arms of Brian), Brian, Me and Nate.

As it stands, we've promised to re-connect and return on a man trip at another time and place sometime in the next year. I've got my fingers crossed that it will work out for us all, as I will be willing to travel as far as possible to create new blogs about new trips with these guys for as long as I'm physically able. Check this blog throughout 2012 to see if we stayed true...

And, oh yeah... I think I can speak for all us men when I say we don't mind at all letting the ladies continue to think that the man trip was their idea...

Cheers,

-L