This week I'm taking you along on a truck camping adventure into a forest north of Backus Minnesota. It's on a trail system called the Spider Lake Recreation Area. There are miles of trails for ATV and 4x4 off-road enthusiasts. Scatted throughout the hills, valleys, lakes, and forest are multiple opportunities for dispersed camping. Some campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, while others only have fire pits made with rocks.
By the time I got off of work Friday, the rain had turned into snow, and the roads were horrible. My first stop was in a State Forest a couple hours from home, a single dispersed campsite on Perch Lake. When I arrived, I found the trail leading in was extremely steep and full of ruts. I was afraid if I went down the hill, I wouldn't be able to make it back up. At this point I did not have cell service and was striking out on finding a campsite. (It was an extremely dark night) I knew of a State Forest Campground about 30 minuets north, so I made the drive hoping to find a safe spot to sleep for the evening.
I arrived at the Campsite on Bass Lake but was not excited about it. Although it was dark and I couldn't see much, I didn't feel like this was the camping spot for me. I remembered there was a free single campsite on a lake a few miles down the road. Mandi and I had stayed there a few years ago. Although I like visiting a different campsite every week, it was getting late, and I was ready to go to sleep.
By 1:30 am I had the camper parked and was feeling good about my weekend home. The next morning, I awoke to the sound of banging beside the camper. I looked out the window to find a group of fishermen unloading an ice shack from their truck. I couldn't be frustrated or upset, they have just as much of a right to be there as me....and I was a little jealous they were going to be spending a full day on the lake. Their trucks were parked next to the campfire ring. It would have been inconsiderate of me to start a fire that close to them, so I decided that this spot wasn't going to work for me either.
At this point I was unsure if I was going to make a video. I was thinking about going home and working on a few projects that needed to be done, my plow truck is not starting. I thought this was the universes way of telling me I needed to take a break. In a last-ditch effort, I decided to check out this trail system on my way home. That is when I came across this beautiful campsite sitting on top of a hill overlooking a lake with no name. I knew this was going to be my home for the weekend.
I hope you enjoy the video!

Since you have read this far Ill assume you are a supporter of the channel. I really want to thank you for that. The comments you leave, along with a thumbs up, really help with the algorithm pushing my videos to a new group of potential viewers and subscribers. The channel has been growing over the last few months. After 2.5 years of recording my weekend adventures people are starting to watch the videos. This unfortunately is a double-edged sword. Along the outpouring words of kindness and support in the comment section, there are also the sad people that try to spread hate when they see someone doing something they love. I realize not everyone is going to like the videos, or my personality. I'm completely fine with that. I have also learned that sometimes a comment will come off as negative, only because the contexts get mixed up in translation. I really appreciate all the constructive criticism. That is how I learn if there's something that needs changing.
However, the last few weeks, the comment section has been tainted by people saying hateful things. I receive disgusting comments saying my girlfriend must hooking up some other dude while I'm in the camper or accusing me of being horrible father for not staying home with my kids on my days off work. I delete the comments and move on, but I can't say it doesn't affect my willingness to press record and make a video.
With that being said, I decided to not spend as much time in the comment section. I'm no longer going to read the comments before, or while I'm out camping. They get me in a funk, and I don't want them effecting my weekends. I'll still be reading and responding on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but not to every single comment like I've done in the past. I have also removed the Super Thanks donation tab; I don't want to receive a donation from someone and then not respond to them.
It seems like there's always someone that is trying to drag you down. It reminds me of something I recently saw on VanCity Vanlife. Chrome was answering questions, the most asked question was 'why did you and Emme break up'? Chromes answer..."It's because of YouTube, the people in the comment section ruined their relationship."
I'm going to keep doing what I love. There is a reason why I look for isolation in nature, it heals my soul. And I'm super thankful for all the kind supportive people that want to follow along.
Thanks