After living in Minnesota for almost three years, I’m finally getting around to some of the things on my “Becoming a Minnesotan” to do list. I’ve already checked off a visit to the Spam Museum, so now I’m making an effort to understand baseball and pretty much crossing off or trying to understand everything on this list: http://www.commonplacebook.com/jokes/you_know_youre_a/you_might_be_a_2.s....

But this summer I’ll be doing something that I’ve wanted to do since I was in high school, and something that is distinctly Minnesotan. In June, I’ll be making my first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

A friend of mine from church has gone on a canoe trip every year for the past several years, usually with family or friends from his hometown. But this year he decided to lead a trip of young adults from our church group, and I jumped at the chance. My fiancée did, too, but had to back out after she found out she would be taking photos at a wedding that weekend. (She’s a great photographer, by the way. Check out her Web site at www.lemonlimestudios.com.)

The trip isn’t until June, but I’m already excited. And I guess I’m not alone in my excitement, because the eight (possibly six) people who are planning on going met this weekend to discuss a few logistics. My friend had already printed out a list of things we need to bring, and we talked about who was able to provide the supplies and where we might be able to find more if needed.

I thought his list was pretty comprehensive, but I’ve never been to the BWCA before. Do you have any suggestions from previous trips that you could share? What do I need to bring? What supplies aren’t usually listed but make the trip much more enjoyable? What shouldn’t I bring?