This memorial Day, we did something surprisingly fun.  I told my husband I wanted to try canoeing with our 3 and 4-year-old kids.  So, he enlisted the help of some canoeing friends and the day was set.  We decided to go down the Red River in Shawano, WI in one very large canoe.  I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but everyone had a super good time. 

Ok, with the ratio of adults to kids, and the fact that the weather was perfect, there were no bugs or set mealtimes, it was a slam-dunk.  We found the rock-bottom shallow river to be a perfect playground for all of us!  There were endless crayfish, trout and suckers in the water to keep everyone entertained.  We challenged our comfort levels by sliding down rapids. 

Our path took us by several waterfalls which afforded the kids the opportunity to get out and walk or swim.  It also took us by an old abandoned monastery with an incredible view.  We stopped to eat lunch in an area where the kids could barely stay in one place to eat.  There was just so much to do and look at!  The dragonflies were molting literally before our eyes!  With two science teachers and two moms, that was a real treat!  (ok, more like creepy, but cool)

In the end, we made it to a waterfall and swimming hole which turned out to be the local hang out for everyone in the entire area.  It was really fun.  We only made it about 3 miles total in the canoe.  But, the trip took all day.  I can’t thank our friends enough for taking us on such a great trip!  We are all still talking about the cool and brave things we did!  The car ride home was incredibly quiet and we couldn’t be happier!

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