The canoe, she has been stored all winter, waiting, just waiting for spring to show up so she can wet her legs. Well finally it seems that spring has arrived, and with temperatures up to double digits we got her ready for her first paddle this year. This past weekend just also happens to coincide with my parents visiting so we took my mother with us for the paddle.
Since my mom did not have rain boots, she wore my pair. One thing you need to know is that I wear size 11, and she wears size 8… So inside these boots she is wearing her slippers 🙂 True Newfie style!
We have paddled the Moira before and knew this would be a great paddle for my mom and us for the first time out. We loaded the canoe at the HWY 37 access point. My dad wasn’t joining us for the ride, but did take some photos of us in the canoe and preparing for this little paddle.
My son is attached to my mother’s hip when they visit, and today was no different. As we prep the canoe, get the vehicles back out of the access lane way, they are both either throwing rocks in the water, or just chatting together waiting to go.
We head up river and the goal is to paddle as far as the Frink Center which would be about a 3 km round trip. All along the river, the banks are flooded and the trees and calm water makes for great mirror image views.
The paddle was so wonderful. Even Hayden decided to lie down and enjoy the sounds of the birds, and watched the sky go by above our heads.
On the way back, we took a little side “river” in through the trees. It is actually quite amazing. I love how we can weave around and just hear nature at its best. We were even treated to a woodpecker in the distance. I tried to take a video, but it was so irregular that I only got a few seconds of the sound. If you check my Facebook page, you can watch this little video.
Back at the put in, this sign is posted… something that should be common sense, but not always followed. We do wear our life jackets, because you never know the situation you might find yourself in, especially in cooler water like today.
It was so nice to be able to bring my mom out for a paddle. Maybe one day I can bring her out on a backcountry trip. However, that would require her to come visit us in the summer, and go camping, and bear the heat of Ontario LOL 🙂
Again, a lovely read. I totally enjoyed the canoe ride. I grew up rowing in your Grandfather’s boat but paddling is a bit different; however, both so enjoyable. (and good exercise!). Back country in the summer heat??!! Not as committed as you are. I will stick to gardening! <3