A Canoe Trip in Wallaceburg

A couple of days ago I finally got to take care of my craving of having, almost needing, to go in the canoe. Canoeing is just part of my life, and something I have been doing for most of it. I don't think there was ever a time I was "too young" to be in a canoe, and I remember vividly being out on rivers with my brothers as young teens (though watched from the shoreline) as we figured out the ropes on how to paddle and fighting over who got to sit in the back and steer. Looking back this was probably a good team building sibling activity. Well played parents.

We took our 4.5 year old out for the first time when he was 18months old. He loved it. Due to some health reasons in the family and for some other reasons (possibly second child syndrome) we were unable to take the 2.5 year old out last summer, so I definitely wanted to make sure we took him out this year.

We went to my parents house who have and store the canoes and with the help of my dad got the canoe on top of his car and tied safely to take it over to Corothers park in Wallaceburg. They have a really nice little dock there that made it easy to get the canoe and ourselves in. Our oldest was super stoked to try out his new life jacket as he grew out of his old one just in time for little brother to take it over. I was sure the youngest, who some would consider him as our carefree, wild child was not going to like the canoe as he would have to sit still, but to my surprise he ended up loving it!

 My dad sat in the front, and the boys were in the middle with their own paddle, and I was steering the canoe in the back, while making sure the boys didn't get too excited and dump us all over board. We only had to do one rescue mission for a dropped paddle, so that was pretty good! The boys were excited to see many duck families on the river, a turtle, and lots of birds as well. The lily-pads were all out with the water lilies in bloom, and the water with a beautiful greenish tone made for a beautiful landscape. We had a couple of boats slowly go by us which the boys thought were awesome as it meant we got to go on little waves. We made it out for 20 minutes before the 2 year old started to get a bit fidgety as he was starting to fall asleep and would catch himself, then try to move around to wake himself back up. All together we spent 40 minutes with a 4 year old and 2 year old in a canoe, and I would call that pretty successful. They are already excited for the next time we get out there.

After dropping them off to my parents who took them to the play equipment in Corother's park, I took my hubby out for a ride on the canoe. He didn't start canoeing until we started dating and I love sharing my love of being in a canoe with him. We went the opposite way, and also saw the same wildlife, and met some friendly 'neighbours' in their backyard ready with a greeting and a wave. We were out for about an hour there (wherever 'there' was) and back. Then it was time to pack it all up and head back home.

I genuinely believe you can't go wrong canoeing anywhere in Chatham-Kent. I wish it was a bigger deal around here so we could have more people (especially young people) experience a canoe ride. I can already picture our boys our in the river having the battle of wills of who gets to steer, and finally figuring out a system that works for them both just as I did with my brothers. I am going to remember that team sibling building experience, thanks Mom and Dad!