Returning to Camping after Injury (+ update)

OMG yay! New Lost Lakes! I don't care if you're camping out of a rental land yacht hitting nothing but side-of-the-highway RV camp grounds, I'd still watch the hell out of that. Cheers for your continued recovery!

I built my entire channel on a torn meniscus which I did over 10 years ago playing baseball. My only regret is that I didn't tear it doing something I really loved doing. At the time, baseball wasn't something I liked doing, just did it with friends. I wish someone told me to cool it in my 30's because that's exactly the age when your body will break if you do something wrong. In your 40's you slow down because it just takes a lot longer for your body to recover. Thankfully my tear is small, never swelled up, but was quite sore, and would act up funny if I used it too much. I didn't insis on am MRI until about 8 years in. I have noticed it takes a bit less to irritate it now, but it's far from arthritic, which you are right about if you get surgery. Seems not matter what you do, you've got about 10 years as a sort of guarantee that it will turn. So I can't say mine will or won't given I've outlasted that frame, but we should always make the most use of things while we still have them, as only nearing your 20's do things actually get stronger, after that they just get weaker, and things become more difficult - not just joints, but full body recovery! So my advice as someone in their nearly mid 40's is to make the most of it - which you seem to be doing. I'm lucky mine wasn't worse, but know exactly what you are thinking. Should I save it, or use it. I can't tell you the right answer for you, but listening to your body, giving it time to recover, and going a bit slower is not bad advice. The distances you travel will not necessarily bring you to a different experience. Some of the best things are right in front of us.

Good for you, John. Your monologue about keeping your line in the water got me tearing up. It's so good to have you back.

I'm glad Xander (3:04) showed up to cheer ya on! Wishing you a full recovery.

A reminder why Lost Lakes is the best outdoor adventure channel there is. Jon, thanks for this. Your full recovery is what matters most!

Great to see you back John. No one will mind these simpler approaches you need to take. Not everything needs to be “extreme”. In 15 years we will be watching you in a motor home pulling into national park campgrounds and struggling to get your satellite TV hooked up right! Here’s to a chuckle, and a full and proper recovery. You have been missed by total strangers like me.

Honestly love your videos, like others mentioned it doesn't matter what your doing we just love seeing ya back! Personally for me I loved this video. Showed me a good perspective of scouting out sites, logging roads etc. 🤙👍

Dude, glad your outside. Never take it or your queen for granted. As you said, the outdoors is your church. Really, it’s Gods cathedral. And you were where you were with who you were for a reason. You will see in life that there are no coincidences. Peace to you and your soul, Tom. I am heading to the off grid cabin tomorrow.

Good on you Jon, focus on what you can do! Not what you can’t. We are all cheering for you ❤

It’s good to hear from you Jon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

“It’s hell to be separated from something you love.” This once active grandma is struggling as well and I thank you for this beautiful post and your “can do” list and attitude. Who would have guessed a young man from northern Canada could be so helpful to a 74 yr old granny from Florida?

Three years ago arthritis put an end to my own excursions into nature. I'm only a day hiker, but sorely missed my days wandering around my favorite wildlife management areas. I've now had both hips replaced, and am slowly - VERY slowly - regaining the muscle tone lost to many months of physical inactivity. Your joy at reconnecting with nature literally brought tears to my eyes, just as my own reconnection has. It's unlikely I'll ever climb our local peaks again - I'm 73 - but that doesn't matter, as long as I can still lose myself in the woods for an afternoon whenever I feel the need. Peace to you.

As much as I love backcountry trips, there’s nothing wrong with a road trip. Plenty of roads to explore…keep on keeping on my man!

One tends to feel sorry for themselves, especially after an injury like yours. The good news is, they can fix almost anything. Maybe a new knee is in your future. Don’t sweat it. When I got my new knee, it was life changing, no more pain! That was after two new hips. There is nothing I cannot do now. Next, a new shoulder😢. But as you said “keep a line in the water!”. Each day is a blessing. Consider your injury as a bump in the road, a chapter in your life story. Now on to the next chapter👍👍👍

Obviously your injury isn't a good thing but your passion for life is turning it into a gift! You make great videos but for me this is one of your best, very well shot and structured and you really tell the 'northern story' well. Also Owen loved the techno music at ~6:00. :)

Absolutely love watching your programmes.. I will never afford to travel to Canada...so watching your films is the next best thing... I am so grateful....take care..

currently going through a period of exams and unable to get outside much, so seeing someone having the same feeling and knowing that soon I can get back out exploring is an amazing thing! Hope the recovery continues good and amazing video!

1) There are chapters in the playback bar if you want to skip the updates 2) The podcast I was listening to (27:00) is actually a weekly livestream (Tuesday nights) called Canoehound's Outdoor Adventure Show: youtube.com/@CanoehoundAdventures 3) If you want more details on the injury... -I kneeled down and turned my torso to the left to get a shot of Erin...that's it -the lateral and medial meniscus were both torn (one was a "bucket handle tear") -this locked my knee for 10 weeks until the surgery and I'm working on getting flexibility and strength back -the surgeon tried to repair the tears but couldn't so a lot of the meniscus had to be pulled out -so my right knee doesn't have a functional meniscus anymore which will make conditioning crucial moving forward -the upside of removal is that I can get out there sooner...there's nothing left to injure and this won't happen in that knee again -arthritis is a matter of time and the surgeon thinks I can go 20-25 years before a knee replacement if I remain otherwise healthy -on May 16th I got cleared by the surgeon to do whatever isn't painful so I can start with some easy canoe trips soon (portage-free until I'm confident) -thanks for the recommendations for the "knees over toes" regimen...working on it along with a stationary bike :)

So good to see you out again! Lessons in acceptance can be a challenge. Here rooting for you!

You know that feeling when you wake in the middle of the night and your throat is as dry as a sandbox but you go in the kitchen and chug a pint of water in 1.5 seconds? That's the feeling I get watching this episode. Kudos, Jon. Bless you! 🙏🙏🙏