Dings' Dock

(Grace, Margo, Andy and Nick with me in back)














Yesterday Mike and I braves canoeing the Crystal River with four children ages 7, 7, 10 and 11.
The water was exceptionally low due to lack of rain and excessive heat this summer so that presented challenges. We paired off, I canoed with Andy (7 years old), Mike canoed with Margo (also 7) and Grace and Nick (10 and 11) canoed together. Click here for Ding's Dock website!

The trip started with water so shallow that we literally had to walk the canoe in spots because we were grounded just sitting there. The river winds along through beautiful trees, bridges, tunnels, and rapids. It is something that small children can do, but also has enough obstacles that make it challenging for adults. Everyone tips there canoe at least once, especially on the rapids. Our canoe became lodged on rocks many times, requiring me to get out and banged up on the rocks. Grace had a bloody knee, Margaret and Mike submerged and became stuck in rapids and were there for about 20 minutes before the next group came along and helped them. Andy and I did fairly well, but did sink once when we hit a fallen tree and tried to maneuver around it.

The trip itself lasted 4 hours and we have no idea how far we actually went. Several weekends ago when Mke and I kayaked we did over 10 miles in 3 hours...BUT, we have a feeling we maybe went 4 or 5.

This morning it is 9:15 and Grace is still in bed (unheard of, she's wiped). I have bruises all over my body, and Margaret is flopped out on the couch. The river got the best of us, but boy was it fun. Our only regret was that we didn't (and couldn't) take a camera down river with us. Those shot would have been hilarious!