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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

For how restricted you were, this turned out amazing. You do not need to kill yourself to make great content!

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. 🤙👍

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!

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. :)

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.

“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?

We aren't even through watching your NEW video, but feel the need to comment on it already. Welcome back, Jon. You have been missed. Even THIS type of filming and content are FANTASTIC and GREAT to watch. So many others who do these types of videos seem to pale in comparison to yours. Canada is such a fine place to see. Take it careful and cautiously in your return. Thanks for sharing...again.

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.

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: www.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 :)

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👍👍👍

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..

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! 🙏🙏🙏

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!

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

A "can do" list can get you through a lot. Thank you for sharing your struggle, and your recovery process. Beautiful video, as always. Take care, be well

Thanks for the update and honesty. Great to see you in your natural habitat. Glad you are in the mend. Keep posting vids we love seeing anything you have to offer!

Missed you so much and very grateful to have you recuperating from your surgery and taking us back out to nature! 🙏🙏🙏

Hello from Germany! What a nice trip in a wunderful landscape wth this rich wildlife, very well photographed! I like your clips very much, glad to see you back again! Thank you a lot for showing us this most beautiful country in the world!👍👍👍 I wish you all the best and a full recovery soon! But please be careful and don't underestimate this injury and time of the healing process, as hard as it is to stay calm and slow for you... Greetings form Koblenz in Germany, Achim PS: And for sure I as a german guy like your gusto for tasting different beers... 🥰

It’s in your soul Jon, you simply have to do it and lucky us, we are the benefactors! Thank you, I get my Canadian wilderness fix! I lived in both Ontario and British Columbia for many years and now live in Spain and I miss the beauty and wildness that both provinces are abundant with. At first I was wondering why my imagination was completely captured by your videos and then I realized I too felt this way about the wilderness and while I’m not the adventurer in any sense that you or Erin are, I feel like I am when I watch your videos.

It's great to see you out on the road. Keep healing and rejoin the life you love and share with us.

This is what is, John! Your insight was an inspiration to me, spending all of 2022 at home recovering from leg surgery, I can relate. I learned to live in the moment, knowing that things will get better (and worse at times). That is life. Your photos were beautiful to take in, it was like being there! You can look forward to many more adventures, different adventures, and cherish every moment. Your oldest fan….

I was worried that your brand of even-keeled, peaceful, introspective adventuring was in danger. So relieved you haven't given up and that you're back at it. Thanks for sharing your ever-motivational experiences.

Nice to see you're on the mend.There are some beautiful spots to car camp while you recover. Getting out is what matters, not how far you go. Take care!🤝

After your injury can now imagine how people who are old or disabled that love wilderness feel. We will never experience this again with the exceptions of your videos and others like them. God Bless, stay healthy as long as possible and May you never lose the wilderness.

A boondock trip to take care of the I Can Do List was a good idea. Thanks for bringing us along. Stay positive Jon and heal well.

Different from your usual trips maybe, but the quality is the same. It looked like an extremely cathartic trip! I really liked hearing your thoughts particularly in update 2 about how what seemed like a worst case scenario could have actually been a lot worse and the new respect for wilderness it gave you. I just got home from my first trip and seeing this just makes me want to get right back out there. Whether it's canoe trips with no portaging or even more car camping like this, I'm excited for the new experiences you'll share with us this canoe season.

Great to have you back John. Just goes to show how you can still enjoy nature even when you can't get as far out as we"d like.

Rolled thru to this video So Sorry that this happened. Erin you are a Rock Star! Glad to see that you made it thru. This is LIFE - in all senses of the word. You two inspire so many! Sending Best, Magdalena

So lovely to see your journey! Appreciate the openness in your updates, I can really resonate with some of your struggles. The perspective of what you Can do is amazing. Love watching your videos! So well-shot and thoughtful! Take care!

John I just want to say I understand your pain the last few months of recovery. I broke my right leg in half skiing when I was 17. I ended up with a metal rod and screws to make sure it went back to normalcy. I'm 41 now and I was told I may not walk properly and it took a toll on me mentally. Good news, I've been walking normal and been super active since. I also fell in a pool my friend was building a couple of years ago and broke my ankle. That led me to surgery as well with metal plates and screws. I was so worried I wouldn't be able to live life after each impact. It was draining stewing over my life looking forward. Especially since both instances happened during and just after winter hit. I lived on a couch and in a bed with not much activity. That being said, you got this. Your body is an amazing machine and everything will heal back to normalcy. Just keep taking care of yourself. I would also like to thank you for this video because watching you helps my anxiety and depression. I was worried about you and if you were coming back. You're back my friend. Just be patient and things will get back to normal for you. Thank you and God bless

There is something about the wilderness that speaks to people's souls. More and more I find that I not only want to be outdoors but I need to be outdoors. I just wish that Ireland had wilder spaces where you could traverse and canoe without constantly being on someone else's land.

Loved seeing you out again Jon, thanks for sharing your first trip back out. Looking forward to seeing whatever you can do this year and I hope those lakes throw some more beauty at you

So nice to see you back again! Take the small steps and when you feel it take us with you. Your health is the most important thing. Maybe meet up with Steve Wallis for nigth out under a highway-sign. ;)

Amazing to see you again and feel the world through your eyes...as an Israeli, we have many injured soldiers (including myself) and while building our after-injured life we always say "maybe you wont be able to EVERYTHING like before injured, but for sure you'll be able to do SOMETHING..."

Love to see fellow outdoorsmen picking up any trash they come across while out in the backcountry. Not sure how anyone could leave trash in the bush . Hope you get back to normal soon Jon .

Welcome back. Missed your missions and May GOD continue to bless you and Erin (I hope I spelled her name correctly). You and Erin were and are missed🐞🙏🙏🙏🙏🐞. Don’t rush the healing.

Each episode has been a treasure, but this one moved me to tears. From a place of uncertainty and pain, making a list of what is possible and then doing them, it was the most inspiring episode of all. Maybe I needed this today, but thank you so much for this example of "doing with what you have" and finding joy and comfort in the doing. You also had hints of your special humor a few times!

For those of us who don’t camp, this trip is a no brainer. Something like this trip is even possible here in the over-populated NE Illinois. THANKS for this! Enjoyed every minute….will get out and try the same!! Glad you’re feeling better too!

I hope you are doing well Jon.

"Start by starting", three words to change our mindset when facing a daunting challenge. Well done.

Glad to see you back. Take care of yourself, and don’t push yourself too much from here on out.

I missed you Jon. please take time to heal properly

Being in Nature and with Nature is the greatest healing. Glad you had the strength and courage to overcome your physical and emotional struggles. No matter where you are or what you do ...Lost Lakes is you! And of course Erin 😉

Welcome back mate 👍 Great to see you up and back in nature. Thanks for sharing 👍 All the best Scott B

I'm glad you're healing Jon, and I'm glad this trip helped you decompress and relax, and experience nature once more. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I just had a weekend in the country myself, after months of not experiencing a simple bonfire. So I know how you feel. Can't wait to see you in your element again, I look forward to the mega lakes of 2023. Stay safe out there!

As a avid outdoorsman, who's been injured outdoors, I understand how your feeling. Being outdoors plays a huge part in my life too. I carry a Garmin GPSMap 66i on my trips outdoors and am glad of it. Of course, I want to be as safe as I can at all times. You seem to be doing well and I'm glad for that. Don't give up. Take it slow and fucus and what you can do. The rest will come in time. Take care, and be well.

It's so great to see you back out in nature after the accident. Wishing for a full recovery.

Word of the week! Vermiculated 1. (especially of the plumage of a bird) marked with sinuous or wavy lines. 2. carved or molded with shallow wavy grooves resembling the tracks of worms.

Awesome video! I’ve missed watching you. I feel the love you have for nature through your videography! Great job! That’s why you’re my favorite!

So glad to see you back and on the mend. You needed this trip as much as we needed this video. Wishing you a fast recovery friend.

If you just paddle on the same lake 100 videoes in a row, just fishing, camping and making meals in the wilderness, I would still watch every video! If you drive from location to location making bonfires aside your car, i would still watch you. Do not let doubt and uncertainty get you, just power on with what you can and want. You are awesome man. I really like you and your videoes, good luck on your recovery!

Car camping?! BRILLIANT! Minus the headbump… I know this isn’t ideal for you, but what a nice temporary compromise. If you made a beaver dam out of popsicle sticks and glue, I would watch it. Nice to have you back. Cheers 🍻

Welcome back. You and Erin have been missed! Beautiful footage.

Sorry about your injury, John; quite a few of my fave youtubers have been hit hard by this last winter. Let's hope things can only get better👍

It doesn’t sound like you have a death sentence. Smile and enjoy. You’re in a good spot in life that most of us would trade for any day. Thx for sharing your adventures. I enjoy them. Watching from Ontario Canada 🎉

Isn't it interesting that all the things we said we wouldn't do when we were younger are now things we do as we get older. We all find ways to keep getting outdoors, even if it's not what we had in mind. Adapt and overcome, especially as we all age.👍

Хорошо что ты тогда не был один. Выздоравливай.

Congratulations on your recovery and for a small adventure! It will come; you’ll be back in the woods.

Love the frogs. I moved in the last couple of years and miss the sound of the spring frogs. I used to sleep with my bedroom window open at night with nothing but the sounds of the frogs. 🐸Now I live in a town. 😢. That time of spring before the mosquitoes is my favorite time of year as well. 😍

As someone who has dealt with chronic back issues including 3 herniated discs which when flared up left me bed ridden during the best parts of my young adulthood I can appreciate the need to go and do when you can. I am from Louisiana, there are no mountains here, the highest elevation is 500 ft above sea level but mountains have always spoken to me so when I am able that's where I go to commune with nature, and it never seems to fail that a flare up will occur shortly before my next excursion almost as if it's psychosomatic. I don't have a RU-vid channel, i don't have a blog. I do have an overwhelming need to be outdoors that has not and will never subside though and during the tough times when I've been unable to do anything but sit down without being in pain, it's channels like yours that help me live vicariously through it when I cannot go and do it myself. I am glad to hear you've taken this first big step back into your life and thank you for sharing the journey with us.

Welcome back brotha we ALL missed ya, stand strong on your next journey and thank you 👊😎📽

Yay!!!!! So glad to see you back to making videos!!!!! Stay safe!

Thank you for your inspiring trip videos. Dealing with injury and recovery is always a test of character. But fortunately with age one gets more and more opportunities to practice. I'm 53 now and had my share of breaks and tears that have become a part of my experience. You "just keep swimming... Just keep swimming." If you've got the fire in you. You'll find a way. You just carry a little less and take a little longer.

Man have you been through it bud.....mmmmmm 😟 brilliant to see your on the road to recovery, looking forward to future excursions, but take your time....we will all be here....👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🍺🍺🍺

Yay Jon!!! So happy to see you out and about!! I love Lost Lakes and watching your adventures!! Take your time and heal.... Appreciate any new episodes wherever you go❤

Nature has a great potency for healing. Welcome back Jonathan!

So glad to watch your recent video! Have had two arthroscopies and can relate to boredom and depression. I am also so touched and need nature and wilderness. I live in Santa Rosa, California which is beautiful but I am Canadian and lived in Calgary and Vancouver where wilderness is not that far and the beauty spectacular. I will be heading there next week for 3 weeks and it I hope will bring me what you have found. All the best!

You can't keep a good man down! The stargazing time lapse with aurora glow was spectacular!!You are such an excellent videographer, that should not worry about content. Just get out there like you did on this one and make beautiful movies!!

A lot better than moping around at home ,, yep it sure is. Not my favourite time of year, spring breakup, wet soggy ground, ice too far gone and very little open water. My memories are around getting our bikes out again, rainbow fishing with egg sac bait, and finding all the treasures lost over the winter as the snow banks melted back. Good to see you on the mend, hope you have some rehab program going. Thank you for bringing back the childhood memories of Nipigon etc, hockey trips as a young boy. The most amazing part is the drone view from altitude, beautiful. I flew north on the freight hauls as a swamper for White River Air, back in the day. Best wishes with your health.

Glad to see you made this happen Jon, I really enjoyed it! Being injured sucks. Over the last two years you videos have just got better and better. I am 100% certain your best videos are in the future and I cant wait for them.

So great to see you easing back in.Your still the man,just with an injury.Will always thirst for your content.Cheers!

You were truly missed John, take it one step at a time, your editing is top notch and entertaining no mater how you connect with nature, Your adventures resonate visual memories that will last a lifetime I'm sure with all of your loyal viewers.

Good to see you up and about @Lost Lakes . Don't rush it , that joint will have to be taken care of, to support you for another 40-50 years. Take it easy. RU-vid is not going anywhere.

❤ dear John, how nice to have you back, you are one of my favorite bushcrafter! I myself am a believer in our Maker God Almighty! When I see how you enjoy all the beauty in nature, see the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, you live in a country with SO MUCH BEAUTY, I almost think you would be a believer, who else but a mighty God would do all this could have made (except HE) every painting has a maker every building is designed by an architectural draftsman everything that exists has been designed by someone, 🤷‍♀️very simple actually, ! nice to have you back!❤God bless from the netherlands ❤️

It never ceases to amaze me how some people can just throw their trash on the ground...😢just don't get it 😒 thanks for always picking up the trash Jon, even when it's not your's.

Missed ya, Jon. We all are glad to see you outside no matter the circumstances. Continue to take care with your knee, not attempting anything too strenuous until it lets you know that it is ready. I look forward to your trips this summer. I'm sure you realize not all of us live in places of such magical beauty as you and half the enjoyment from your videos comes from the amazing scenery and wildlife. Any trips you do that show us that will be successful.

Going thru the same mental process after a total knee replacement. “Keep your line in the water” will be something I can hold on to along this journey. Thank you

Having broken bones in both feet 30 years apart, I know what you’re going through. It’s so frustrating and depressing at times. Better days are coming. Great idea for this trip. And “keep your paddle in the water!”.😊 All the best.

John, as a fly fisher and fly tyer there is a saying when tying that "less is more." It seems you have embraced this concept for the moment and are more at peace with yourself and your situation. From your dialogue, it seems that your state of mind has improved immensely. Keep a healthy attitude, you'll be in your element soon.

I know this is an old video I just am seeing it now. So glad you are in the mend. Remember this. We don’t watch you because you do the hardest hikes. I watch because of you and Erin. Maybe just change in your winter camps to get a snowmobile as a safety precaution. It doesn’t change you being in the winter outdoors. It’s just a helping insurance policy that you will be able to donwhat you love and the ability to bring great videos for years to come. 🤷🏻‍♀️

he is back baby HE IS BACK ❤. And only 90 miles away from my thunder bay friend (whos last name is from the card maker!). 🎉🎉🎉🎉 enjoy the little moments. Baby steps! It is what i do.

Welcome back. U were missed. We don’t need big crazy wild trips to enjoy your content. Keep it coming

Nature (boy) is healing. It’s good to have you back. Keeping a positive attitude when you’re temporarily disabled is hard. Try for the good vibes, but don’t punish yourself for the dark moods. And you don’t do “social media for a living.” You’re a filmmaker. Maybe you don’t have a script and a crew like Bill Mason, but the heart and eyes are there.

Glad you're feeling better and getting around. The wilderness have such an amazing quality that offers both healing and peace. Glad to see you stopped in my hometown at the end of the video. Hope your healing keeps progressing well!!

My brother always used to say that being in the wilderness grounded him, that goes for me too. Being away from that life for a while and I start the "stinking thinking". I've learned to recognize the symptoms and get a fix. Looking forward for more of your incredible photography.

Glad you are feeling better and sorry getting older means spending more time taking care of your body to enjoy all that nature has to offer. Stay strong.

As an old guy I understand your pain there's a lot of things that keep us from the things we love it's a beautiful area spent many years as a young lad with my aunts and uncles and cousins you're still young you'll bounce back quick

Well done...❤..."What i CAN do." The only constant in life is change. Learn to embrace it. Swift healing, my friend.

We watched that whole video where Erin had to get you out. God blessed her strength and love for you. Thankful you are starting to recover

Been missing your content. So glad to hear things are looking up and your healing process is working. To different trips and new adventures!

Keep your line in the water is a great analogy. I need to think of the things I can do and do them when I’m injured from mountain biking. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Very timely video- I had to back out of a 6 day canoe trip last week due to a bulging a disk in my back the day before we were to leave. Watching this is a good lesson to focus on the things you can do instead of dwelling on the things you can't. Thank you and wishing you a speedy recovery.