We finally made our goal of taking this vacation!
12 years ago Clay and I took our first canoeing trip
to the Adirondacks and the Saranac Lake Region of Upstate New York. His Grandpa Jack and his Dad had told him about the trips they had there with their family :)
By the 3rd time we headed back east we had decided we wanted our children to have this same experience.
2008
(pre Chester)
2010
2008
And we couldn't have asked for a better time together :)
Waiting for our red eye flight to Upstate New York
They didn't stay awake very long, haha
Day One:
Layover in Charlotte means Clay got to introduce us to the infamous Bojangles :)
onward to Albany!
our vacation took on very, very large bags of gear :)
Luckily, Lucy is super strong!
So, here is our vacation in a nutshell :)
A stop at Walmart for all of our food and some gear and some styrofoam heads, haha
We prepped all of our food the night before at the hotel.
Campfire dinners, beef stews, lunches, hot cocoa, apples, oranges...we ate very well to say the least :)
Day Two:
The gorgeous drive from Albany to Saranac Lake, New York.
We planned our time there so we were there during the week.
Hardly a tourist to be found...except us :)
Getting everything in order to launch into the St. Regis Canoe Wilderness Area!
The forecast was calling for rain that night, so we hustled a bit :)
But mostly goofed around and
just began to really enjoy each others company
I think we look good in fall :)
Lucy and I in our matching pullovers :)
Clay lining everyone out
This is the most organized he gets in life...laying out all the gear
Chester getting so excited for this adventure...he was thrilled to be out in the wilderness, playing and exploring again.
Sidenote: he cried when the canoeing part of the vacation was over. But you'll see he got over it in Vermont.
patiently waiting to canoe for the first time!
We said a prayer (I think...or probably should have, haha)
and headed out.
This is when my camera was put away!
Our first stop and campsite.
Like I said, rain was forecast for that night and the entire next day...so I was bustling around to get the tent up with the kids so we could stay dry.
Right after we all got cozy the rain started. Clay fell asleep like a baby...some of us found the rain to be really LOUD!
Day Three:
Clay woke up and got a fire started and began breakfast.
We decided to just stay put for the day on this peninsula and it was definitely the right choice. The kids loved exploring and building forts and hanging out.
It was a nice way to ease into the trip,
plus...I was not going to canoe in the rain.
I walked around and took photos of what we did until my camera died :)
dinner
someone likes playing with fire
rain cleared in the afternoon so the kids headed out and explored on canoe
Lucy took this shot
fort building
magical little mushrooms all around
the fortress :)
hot cocoa time
make shift canopy for the day
a happily spent, moody fall day :)
Day Four:
We woke up to a bright, warm fall day with
a crisp breeze off the water.
We portaged from Polliwog Pond to Hoel Pond to Long Pond.
It's fun to mix up the days between canoeing and hiking and camping.
Keeps you going!
Clay hiking with the canoe
me finding every single thing about this day beautiful
Arriving at Hoel Pond, we picnicked before getting on the water :)
Chester with his gear to portage and the perfect sweatshirt for it 😊
pumping water
our crew mates
Hooking our canoes up to float for a bit
At this point it is nice and warm...so Clay and Chester strip down to their underwear and take a dip in the water.
Much to the chagrin of his sisters as he was in his birthday suit, hahaha
I'll just say he did a nude tree pose.
sigh
Postcard worthy!
But even the smell of the woods was magnificent.
mom
Found our last camping spot for the trip
I love being in the woods with my family :)
Clay getting firewood
end of the day light
Our last morning and canoe before portaging back to the outfitters
The memories will hopefully last their lifetime.
We couldn't have asked for a more peaceful and fun time to be together :)
But I would be lying if I didn't say...there were some arguments and leaving siblings alone on the trail and some tears....
but it all works out...I guess...I hope :)
Chester could not get enough of playing in the campfires :)
We portaged back to the base, returned the canoes,
packed up the car and drove through the falling leaves with
a trail swirling behind us.
On our way to happily shower!
Some of us were very glad to have left the camping behind
(Audrey...but she is no complainer, and I think she likes it!) and some of them were in tears...(Chester.."i hope I appreciate this part of the vacation").
I am so content that we did this trip.
They all want to go back again.
How could they not?
So long wilderness!
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