I dedicate this story to the members of my great crew who worked up with me at northern tier
We Are Blood Brothers To The End Bound In Service

I am an adventurer.
that is why I come upon this trip. to have fun do work and see a new world in the north.
but what a funny trip to go on if you don't have a strong swimming ability. Two weeks canoeing in the Canada Minnesota boundary waters. I could swim ought to save my self but the day before during the swim test was very difficult 100 ft to pass especially since I had to do this with my boots on but the worst part of that was that I was dealing with at least 30 other swimmers all trying to get around the cannon at the same time I was, we all were getting in each others way and slowing each other down and putting water in others faces, we all passed without too much of a hassle it had been a tough struggle but that was nothing compared to the challenge that I faced now. I was walking down a mile trail carrying at least 70 pounds worth of food .The weight was unbearable and I had not been so prepared for such a challenge. The pain in my back was very severe.
I am going to die was what fell out of my mouth into the air
I was at the back of the group at least 15 meters behind them
The loneliness of being the last person.
I question my sanity on this choice for this trip. The foreman notice that I am lagging behind. Forman Robert stops and waits for me to catch up, while the other foremen and scouts walk away. You having trouble he asked.
yes . You got to keep going were almost there. He starts singing big rock candy mountain. the strain is hard as I put one foot in front of the other I
The commissar is going to shoot me I think of as my thoughts think of the imperial guard and the fires of the commissars yells and executions, in order to keep myself going.

It didn't work as I keep going but was very much frustrated and could feel my weakness growing. I felt that I let all my values down cause I was weak and feeling fear and fatigue. I traveled over a stream and through a mud pool lucky not getting stuck and more fortunately not Turtling. The great imaginings of my heroes came into my mind like Lenin and Marx and countless others all watching me to see my struggle.

I made it to camp in a tired state when I got there I kneels down and waited for one of my 5 companions to relieve me of the heavy burden that I brought upon my back and put it down. I then pretty much collapsed from exhaustion for a few minutes but the ever present urge to work came out from within me to. I was embarrassed to take so long but I think the others were fine since I was the youngest member of this exposition at a few days over 16. We set up our tents and took our gear out of the granite gears. I was glad I packed light bringing what I need and some extra tools to survive that was it. I quickly changed into my dry clothes since we had just finished canoeing for the day and dry cloths and feet would be a rarity for a while. 2 weeks in the north with 7 other people I only just met this will be fun I think . We would be working around this one mile proatge trial for he next week and the we would go adventuring across the area. we ate well that night rice and beans or some other food with lots of carbohydrates and calories. we be gain the work of the week. Hard work breaking rocks but it would build my strength and a bound of fire with my fellow arrow men. But upon that first day I would face another challenge that of hauling the 80 pound aluminum canne half a mile to camp. To do this single handed required a special way of getting the cannon up and the I would have to balance it to keep it from falling. When I first pulled the cannon up I was exhausted from a days hard labor but was determined to carry on. I then noticed a few minutes later that I could hardly breath and lacked fresh oxygen. my steps became considerably staggered, and I could barely put one foot in front of the other. I several times dropped the cannon to the yelling of the foreman I would then pick it back up and continue on my long path that I was sure could only lead to death. but I turned on till I was at the waterfront . the put down the cannon and physically collapse from exhaustion. I was so ashamed that I had failed to do and efficient job and had dropped the canoe.
we worked a week building a roman style turnpike we broke rocks and dug out dirt and this greatly benefited my strength and I got better every day at caring the canoes but was still very nervous.

We learnt more about each other during the first week Justin and Peter were from the same town in rural Iowa. Jimmy was from Wisconsin by Milwaukee. Marshall was in panon IL and Wyatt form a small rural town in central Illinois near St. Louis. Wyatt liked comics while Jimmy as a major reader of philosophy especially Voltaire who he had brought with him. Marshall had burned himself and reused a deer and was the commander of the section I belong to . Justin loved theater and wanted to make it to Broadway. Peter was a fisherman who wanted to make a big catch . Across the river was Canada and from our campsite we could all see a large blueberry patch. We took the canoes and crossed for the fun taste of more food and adventure there we found the great blue berries in the largest patch that we would find in our time up there. There were two others with us the foremen who were in charge of safety and managed the work project that we worked on. Ryan was form WI also and had a crazy life he wore a large hat and had some straw on him at all times. Ian was the only one not from the Midwest he was from South Carolina he was tall and had a big black beard that covered his face . My beard at the time was a bit small but still very viable that was the start of my adventure Bread.

We when embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in the next week but before leaving the worked portage trail we gathered and were sent one by one down the path in revelation of these who worked before us on the land. I thought of the other crews for boys and young men so similar to our own ragtag band of brothers who worked and lived together. There was Wyatt who was part native american and very similar to me in the fact that we had many problems he like me would have to overcome. Jimmy who was an introvert who a little strange but very nice I saw a lot of my self in his solo and intercall advice but he was perfectly willing to work if others would too. Justin who was a playful fellow of the charter as well he repented my love of theater and telling stories. Peter was a neat mate who was a daredevil jumping off rocks in the waters and having great fun at it he represented my will to change that which I did not know and adventure. The there were Marshal who represented leadership and rebirth he was a great leader and was the chief of the entire section of the northern Midwest. A year before he had been hurt in an explosion that burned half his body and left it charred only now was new skin growing and he had to protect it from the sun. This rebirth of his skin was like that which would find in myself during this journey. The Foremen where the representation of Authority who I had to listen to tho they were not the true leader that was elected by us who was Jimmy they were responsible to keep us safe and they had useful tips and knowledge of the area.

We begin our journey in a normal manter and for the first day was a good pace of 15-20 miles that first day. When we came into camp that night we had just pulled out the tents when the second crew showed up and I was neat to meet the other group of workers out these weeks I saw Mike Grey the Midwestern region chief and a good friend. the we met our foreman Ians brother Grayland and he was a crazy person but was so in a good way (for the most part). It was the that we shared our story every night of our lives and I shared my life with my fellow letting out things that i had not told people back home about how I had ADD and used to suffer for depression and how I faced my challenges standing with a smile to accomplish it and carry on for the betterment of humankind. We then went up toward a lake in Canada that was clear as the sky ,and you could see the bottom the foremen said it was because it had no inlets or outlets that it was this way. While that lake was nice the way in as well as out was difficult . We had to go to thought a beavers swamp the get out and climb up a steep cliff on a narowi dirt path if you staggered you would fall and have to hope that the next person can save you. Luckily though i was hard to carried the food I didn't have to navigate the long cumiergosn canoe up the cliff, Ryan found a different way and just glanced along cause Ian some playful yelling at him since they were both Foremen. Beating up that path was a great achievement but another would follow in the coming days.

The day we camped on the bottomless clear lake we left and canoed what had taken us 3 days to cover in one putting a great strain on us. But in this route we crossed the 1 mile portage again. I would face it again with pride in the new found strength that I had fought for . when i got out on the trial and picked up my pack I hit the ground running wanting to get done with this trail and accomplish greatness. I could this time see the faces of my crew mantes alongside those other workers leaving an impact for good on the area. This and my singing inspired me to go on it inspired us all to go on my singing did. It motivated us to pull up our heads and finish the fight.

and thats what I did.

I marched on

Despite my pain and I reached the end with a smile on my face.

This time felt so different than before filled with experience and joy instead of fear I pushed the trial and it pushed me and I reach the landing as the second man with a smile on my face. we ate lunch and the paddled onward till 3am I was wearing little more than a t shirt and nearly froze to death but I would not let my self, I pushed onward and had many more adventures that week.

My crew were a great lot of people and they became a part of me and I hopefully a part of them. I would not be the person I am today but for the commitment of our group to reach a goal. I own these guys my life for we are brother bond those are work and dedication . I miss these guys but I carried these memories and i have written about them and have photos so that they will never fade forever they will always have a meaning to me and will brighten my day. I have found a few of them in my normal life even though they live many miles away from Chicago. They are family and it is great to see them. They congratulate me on my achievements of being elected to service my lodge as it secretary and as being nominated for the vigil honor.