Don't Rush Me, I'm Canoeing

Look at this good looking group of boys. They had such a great time last month when we decided to go on an impromptu canoe trip and picnic. They had a ton of fun going on "adventures" and throwing as many rocks as they could imagine.

I felt really old when Josh was "sharpening his stick" with a rock and told me, "This is how they did it in the 80s." Really? Maybe he meant 1880s? I mean now they have an app for sharpening your stick, right?

Jason totally in his element in a canoe. I don't think he is happier than when he is paddling. And I know I'm much happier when I don't have to paddle. I mean I have photos to take...who could expect me to paddle too? Clark LOVED being in the canoe. He hung over the side playing with the water the whole time. I see many long weeks of the boys on canoe trips and me all alone at home. Poor me, hehe! Oh what could I do with that free time?

Somehow Jake also got stuck paddling on his own! He didn't seem to mind at all though. The older boys had a lot of fun, but it was Zachery that was cracking me up! He just sat in front of his dad giggling the whole time. Such a cutie!

The Shore Crew...mostly because she'll hate it....oops!

The Babymoon I've Always Dreamed of...

For our babymoon, I had a lovely weekend planned out for Jason and I in Door County, Wisconsin where we would go sailing and enjoy the fresh air. We could eat the famous fudge and have a very relaxing weekend.

Instead...a lovely canoe trip along the Wisconsin River.

Highlights

Jason did fall in...

Cutlass did enjoy the water...

Dave and Carin came with us...

We saw a bald eagle up close and personal (i.e. going to the bathroom)...

Shawnee National Forest

Luckily for us, Metropolis is located pretty close to the Shawnee National Forest which gave us something else to do than ogle at Superman merchandise and collectibles in the only store in town. Shawnee was gorgeous...half the time I couldn't believe I was still in Illinois. Although you would never guess it with the accents and bad food! I guess that is just Chicago.

Don't rush me, I'm canoeing. Jason is a canoeaholic. He can't stop talking, thinking, dreaming about it. I, on the other hand, need a bit more practice

Garden of the Gods - This is Camel Rock.

Our family picture on table rock

This is Cave in Rock, IL. What a name! This is where the pirates used to wait for flatboats on their way across the Ohio River. I guess they were like the welcome wagon!

More canoeing! This time we were in a Cypress/Tupelo swamp where the trees grow right in the water. It felt like we should have been in Lord of the Rings or something. This is also where I saw a water moccasin. Jason was pretty upset that I saw it and he didn't. I still can't believe he took me to a swamp where I might meet one of the most poisonous snakes in the US.

Our State Champion Bald Cypress tree that is over 1,000 years old!