Final answer:
John's father has influenced him in the Lake of the Woods by encouraging him to take a trip North.
Step-by-step explanation:
John's father has influenced him in the Lake of the Woods by encouraging him to take a trip North. Despite coming from a financially struggling background, John's father, a colonel, had achieved success through hard work and wanted his son to experience the same. His father's advice and respect for John's capabilities have likely played a significant role in shaping John's decisions and actions during his time at the lake.