Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Sold ... One Canoe


Off she goes!
 
Well, after one day of advertising, we sold our dear canoe last week.
 
Off she goes with a new owner and a new chapter in her life.  We had many happy summers together on the water with that canoe.  Most of it spent in Algonquin Park and Charleston Lake.  Although we've not done any back country camping, we've taken our canoe through many of the lakes and rivers that border Hwy 60 through Algonquin.  We've seen a lot of beautiful scenery and wildlife from it ... kids and dog packed along with us.
 

 
We've had this canoe since our kids were small, and ordered it special with cherry wood to please my woodworking husband, and with a middle seat to please our daughter.  She's never been very happy in the canoe, so the additional seat allowed her to sit in comfort and read a book while we all paddled along.  It helped.  One memorable canoe ride was when she was about 3 years old (we were renting canoes then).  We stopped at an island to explore, but then my daughter refused to get back in the canoe, and I have an adorable photo of her standing high on a smooth rocky hill just screaming her little heart out in anger for the rest of the wilderness to hear ... and I'm sure they did hear. 
 
My son took to the canoe much better, and has always enjoyed being out on the water for a little adventure or just fishing.  He bought his own kayak a couple of years ago and enjoys the independence of his own boat.  But he does get tired after a long day when he's the sole "power".  We'll occasionally take pity on him and tow him a little ways. 
 
My son & Cody in his kayak, Alqonquin
My son was sad to see the canoe go ... he used to say that we had to keep it for when he had a family and he would be able to use it again.  Unfortunately, we just don't have room for extra canoes, but I do like his sentimentality, and I'm glad that he has lots of happy memories with this big ol' boat. 
 
Barron Canyon, Charleston Lake, Oxtongue River (me)
 
Our next canoe is already on order and we plan to pick it up in May.  It's being delivered to the store just outside Algonquin Park, so depending on how bad the blackflies are, we may take it for a paddle that day.  We'll at the very least pop it into Oxtongue River beside the store to check it out.  I can't wait!  Our old canoe weighed 65 lbs. and was 17 feet long.  Our new canoe is 35 lbs. / 15 feet.  The convenience of the smaller, lighter canoe will open up new routes for us.  My husband has flat out refused to go on any long portages with the 17' canoe, and I'll admit it's no fun lugging this size through the woods on a rough trail.  I'll soon be perusing my canoe routes map to see where we can go this summer ;)
Rock Lake (our last paddle)
One place we'd love to visit is the north end of Opeongo Lake. 

Costello Creek off Opeongo Lake, Algonquin Park

Opeongo is a huge Lake which we've paddled on many times, but because of it's size, you just can't canoe all the way up the lake in one day and expect to be back to your start point by nightfall.  There is a convenient day outing arranged through the park that will take you and your canoe up to the north end by water taxi.  There you have options of continuing with a guide or go it alone, but this particular spot is a haven for moose!  So you can take the canoe from that point and see the moose and enjoy a picnic and then meet the taxi to take you back at the end of the day.   We've always wanted to try this, and perhaps we'll do it this summer, who knows. 
 
 
New adventures await us with our new canoe, so we're not too sad to say goodbye to our old Swift.  The guy that bought our canoe camps in Quetico Park each summer.  Quetico is a place I've always wanted to go, but it's a fair distance from us.  Over 12 hours of driving apparently.  It used to be all backcountry camping, but they've opened up about 100 campsites for "car" camping now.  There are over 2,000 interior campsites in comparison.  It sounds beautiful, and I'd love to see it one day.

On the weekend my husband repaired the end of my paddle.  He gave me this cherry paddle years ago, but it's getting a bit damaged on the end from me digging it into rocks as we come ashore.  A bit of sanding and a lot of varnish, and it should be good to go.  I expect we'll be shopping for a new paddle this summer with a protective edge on it though, and I'll just use my cherry paddle for "deep water" paddling. 


Charleston Lake
 
Well I could go on about canoes & camping, but I'm sure you've all read enough.  It's another beautiful day, but the temperatures are having a hard time keeping above 0, and most mornings it's still around -12C.  Our robins have returned however, and I'm very excited about that!  They're even finding some slow-moving worms in our frozen ground.  Yum ;)
 

Charleston Lake
Anyway, I hope everyone's week is going well.  My daughter came home for an unexpected visit over the weekend which was nice.  She's now back in university town and won't be able to nip home until after her exams next month.  Although the winter dragged on this year, I can't believe we're now heading into April and she'll be home for the summer months.  Of course I'm just thinking "summer?!" ... "where's spring?!".   I'll have to check to see if there's anything pushing up through the ground in the way of flowers soon.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy

 
 

37 comments:

  1. GORGEOUS! I so miss Algonquin,we used to rent cabins there,but now with thirteen cats,some with health problems and one that needs twice daily injections,it just can't be done.I'll visit via you!
    Jane x

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  2. I'm glad you managed to sell your canoe so quickly Wendy, what stunning scenery, you have all those lovely photo's and memories to look back on. How exciting for you a new canoe and the planning of all the trips you are going to take to look forward too! I hope it warms up soon for both of us it's pretty cold here too just now, :) xx

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  3. At first I felt sad that you sold your canoe...but you have a new one on order! YAY! Lots of happy times ahead. And that's a moose? WOW! He is a funny looking fellow, isn't he? Not sure I would have known what he was! Enjoy your week! I'm wishing you fair weather for Spring! Hugs!

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  4. Glad to see that the snow is melting out your front window there but it will be so much nicer when it actually warms up. All of your photos of your canoe trips are amazing ~ like a picture perfect life out in the wilderness! I cringed a bit when your son said he wanted the canoe for his own family... aww he is really going to miss it. I am surprised that a difference of 2ft in length reduces the canoe weight by so much. Yeah, that is going to be a lot easier to carry. My husband and I want to canoe a lake here but I'd like the kids to be a bit older before we do it. I hope you are well.

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    1. The old canoe is made of fiberglass, the new one is made of Kevlar which makes up most of the difference in weight. We're so ready for a lighter canoe ;) I loved taking the kids out when they were small and my son would fall asleep in the very front of the canoe rocked by the waves.

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  5. What wonderful memories! Even the screaming daughter one! lol

    I have trouble parting with things like that. Must be why my shed is jammed to the ceiling! time to purge I think.

    Have a great day xox

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  6. Absolutely love all your photographs in this post... lovely post Wendy.

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  7. Well you'll always have the memories of the "old" canoe. :o) So many lakes and rivers so little time. You live in gorgeous country! Winter is back, complete with snow this afternoon.

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  8. What a beauty that canoe was! You can find so many out of the way places paddling along in one. So glad to read you have another one on order. I am sure the new owners will have many adventures with the old one.

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  9. You are going to have so many new places to go now that you are getting a lighter canoe. I take it your daughter wasn't too sad to see the old family canoe get sold. That's a hilarious story about her standing on the hill screaming because she didn't want to get back in the canoe. :-)

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  10. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got to the part that you are getting a new canoe. That you are simply, um, downsizing. Beautiful photos. Beautiful memories. Summer WILL come. Maybe even spring too!

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  11. Obviously your daughter loves horses more than canoes - bless her! Such lovely memories you have Wendy, and now all sorts of plans and excitement in the offing, just waiting for that lovely new, and lightweight, canoe to make its presence felt in your lives. It is sad though, to be parting with something that has been such a big part of your lives during family growing up days! You shared some lovely pics with beautiful scenery, I really enjoyed seeing them and reading your account of wonderful adventures, thank you, and all the best with the new! Hugs, Joy xo

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  12. gorgeous moose. i love your blog background. what a great canoe trip. we love our kayaking trips. can't wait to get started this year. so fun!! ( :

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  13. What a lovely post full of memories. Your canoe sold fast but I'm not surprised because it was a very nice one and obviously well-loved and cared-for. I'm sure the new one will bring you lots more fun experiences.

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  14. Ah friend....your photos out on the canoe are just so crisp and STUNNING! Every single one of them looks like a dream and I can so see why you love it there! How very sweet and loving that your son wanted to keep it for his family! What a cutie!!! I can't wait to see the new canoe in action and I would love to see that shot of your daughter not wanting to get back in the canoe....good to know that my beans are not the only ones who like to take their stand!!! Wishing warmer spring days and flowers ahead...I could really use it about now as I woke up to snow this morning and feel as though I am in a bit of a rut! You take care...Nicole xoxo

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  15. Wow, you have some seriously beautiful scenery where you are! I hope you make as many happy memories in your new canoe as you did in your old one. And, I hope to see lots more of your wonderful photographs of the new places you're able to go in your lighter canoe.

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  16. Gorgeous post Wendy. I loved all the photo's and your stories of your adventures in your canoe. Your scenery is simply stunning!! One day we love to visit Canada. Have a lovely week, Sarah xo

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  17. Oh Wendy, I just love your pictures .. it's all very Swallows and Amazons, isn't it? I'm glad you're getting a new one, as then it won't be as bad to let the old one go to a loving family ... I thought at first it was the end of an era ... but more watery adventures are yet to come!

    It's lovely to get a surprise visit from our kids, and yes they'll be breaking up soon ... seems a long time since the traumas of September ...

    In reply to your kind comment over at mine, I've had a thought! Why don't you be the one to start up a vintage fair in your area? Test the water by putting something online locally, and who knows, it could be the start of something really big! I can't believe that we had nothing 'vintage' around here 3 years ago and now there's something almost every week ...

    Take care and hope it's warming up for you!

    Love Claire xxx

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  18. It is so lovely to read and see your canoe stories Wendy!! You have been to some beautiful places and I expect that you will be able to see even more when the new one is ready for you! Very exciting hey. I love that your son wanted to keep the old canoe for his family, that is so lovely and if you had been able to keep it would have been a wonderful thing. The memories and the knowledge that he wanted to keep it are pretty wonderful too though! I'm glad that the weather is starting to warm and that the robins are returning. It will be canoeing time again before you know it and I for one will be looking forward to seeing the pictures of your new travels - and the new canoe too of course!! Happy trails. xx

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  19. We are ocean kayakers because we live on the coast. It would be fun to kayak on a lake or river sometime.

    Does your son have a pedal or paddle kayak. We have Hobie kayaks that we paddle, but are thinking that it might be nice to have the pedal kayak to get a workout on both our arms and legs.
    I have fond memories of canoeing during the summer when I was a camp counselor. I thought it was so much fun to get out on the lake in the canoe and used to do it on my days off without the campers.

    Have fun with your new canoe.

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  20. What beautiful tales of your family and your canoe! Happy memories!
    We have a photo of me, (as a child!) in full temper on holiday...having put my foot in a soggy bog!
    Looking forward to many tales of happy canoeing with your new boat!
    Ali x

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  21. I appreciate your son's sentiments - it's how I feel about things, too! My own son loved his decked canoe and used it a lot when he lived in Raleigh, NC. I know he misses those days.

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  22. You live in such a beautiful area....thanks for sharing those lovely images and memories!

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  23. Wendy,
    I have been sitting here looking at these beautiful photos and re-reading your post. You live in such gorgeous country and what amazing and quality family time you all spend together. The tale of your canoe's would make for a lovely children's book-complete with moose and and what other adventures you encounter.
    Thank you for sharing this very treasured part of your life.
    Sending you warm hugs for the early morning hours!
    Jemma

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  24. Such good and happy memories of your canoeing.. HUbby and I talked about getting one someday..But, now we can just rent one where we go.. I loved the photos, gorgeous shots of the lake.. I have heard of this park, It is a hot spot for the warblers in the summer.. . Have a happy weekend!

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  25. How wonderful to have spent such happy and adventurous times with your family on these gorgeous lakes that provide such stunning beauty to Algonquin Park! Truly, your photos are breathtaking. I wish you equally happy times with your new canoe and explorations to record and remember.

    Poppy x

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  26. We had a canoe when our children were little as well. It is long gone but for the memories.

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  27. Wendy...
    I am in awe at all the adventures you have embarked on. How lovely for your children and you to have all those fabulous memories and that scenery wowee
    bestest weekend wishes to you all
    Daisy x

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  28. A lovely post with great pictures. Haven't done much canoeing but do really enjoy kayaking.

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  29. Hello Wendy, thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures and special memories with us. You must have mixed emotions, but think of this as a new adventure with exciting plans to make new places to visit. It sounds wonderful to me.
    Take care
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  30. Lovely photos hope you enjoy your new canoe as much as your old one x

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  31. Wow what beautiful pictures on the water. I do hope that you will be able to make new & happy memories with your new canoe. We still have cold weather here and I too can't wait for summer. We seem to pass spring every year and go right into summer. Take care and have a nice weekend.
    Julie

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  32. Wendy this was just an inspiring blog and really made my heart sing, thank you so much. You live in a beautiful part of the world and reading your story was so enjoyable. I cannot wait to see your new canoe and see what adventures you and your lovely family have. Have a gorgeous Sunday Wendy, sending you big hugs and loves as always
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  33. So many wonderful memories! Soon you'll be making more in your new canoe. And as beautiful as the bigger one is, I'll bet you'll smile every time you hoist the new one.

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  34. It is amazing how many family memories can be wrapped up in a single object. We have a canoe that never saw water last summer and it is one of my deepest regrets about last year. This year we are going to make use of it for sure. I don't blame you for turning in the big canoe for a lighter, shorter model. Canoes can sure be heavy!
    Tomorrow is supposed to be 10 degrees. I can hardly wait!

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  35. Well I'm not surprised it sold in a day - it's such a beautiful canoe! Lots of happy memories there and I'm sure the new one will bring bring lots of new adventures too. It's slowly getting cooler here but it's nice to see the warmer weather come to your part of the world...Mel x

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  36. How green am I ... all that incredible scenery and a new canoe to enjoy it from ... I love where I live - I just wrote a blog post about it - but it's not a patch on your neck of the woods!

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