Today we went on a big adventure: We joined the "Fort-to-Fort Float" on the Kennebec River. This is a yearly event where people in canoes and kayaks paddle from Fort Halifax in Winslow to Fort Western in Augusta.
Mom rented a canoe in Waterville, and the girls thought the canoe on top of the car was quite a sight.
An adventure like this takes a lot of logistics. Dustin and LeeAnn joined us, and we had to drop the canoes and kayaks off at Winslow, then drop two cars off at the location downriver where we planned to get out. We also had to bring lots of snacks, lifejackets, sunscreen, bug spray, and (of course) our trusty potty.
While we were waiting for Mama, Dustin, and LeeAnn to get back from the car shuffling, Mom played at Fort Halifax with the girls. We watched a lot of other people launch their canoes, and Em was getting really excited about our trip.
Finally they got back, and we carried the boats down to the water's edge.
There was a final sunscreen application....
...then we launched! Dustin and LeeAnn went first in their kayaks.Kate is holding some of Mom's "surprise" toys for the trip--little minnow nets. The little nets and a pair of bobbers cost $3 total at Rite Aid, and kept the kids occupied for most of the journey.
Right away we got to go under a bridge--the Carter Memorial in Winslow/Waterville.
Dustin and LeeAnn have a lot of experience in their kayaks--they really looked like they knew what they were doing. We felt like we were slowing them down a little bit with our "family-style" boat.
Emily absolutely loves canoeing. She played with her net and her bobber, dipped her toes in, looked for her long lost tow truck, and generally enjoyed herself. Kate, on the other hand, was feeling a little bit under the weather today. She was nervous about the "tippy" feeling of the canoe and just wanted to stick close to Mom, which made paddling kind of difficult. Luckily, Mama is a strong paddler so she took up the slack.
We had decided ahead of time to only go half-way to Augusta, so we pulled the boats out in Sidney after about 2 hours on the water. Dustin was wishing that he had brought his fishing pole!
It was a beautiful day to be out on the water, and Emily especially enjoyed the big adventure. We're starting to think about getting our own canoe! 
You can tell the kids have had a good day when they fall asleep minutes after getting into the car.
Right away we got to go under a bridge--the Carter Memorial in Winslow/Waterville.
Dustin and LeeAnn have a lot of experience in their kayaks--they really looked like they knew what they were doing. We felt like we were slowing them down a little bit with our "family-style" boat.
Emily absolutely loves canoeing. She played with her net and her bobber, dipped her toes in, looked for her long lost tow truck, and generally enjoyed herself. Kate, on the other hand, was feeling a little bit under the weather today. She was nervous about the "tippy" feeling of the canoe and just wanted to stick close to Mom, which made paddling kind of difficult. Luckily, Mama is a strong paddler so she took up the slack.
We had decided ahead of time to only go half-way to Augusta, so we pulled the boats out in Sidney after about 2 hours on the water. Dustin was wishing that he had brought his fishing pole!
It was a beautiful day to be out on the water, and Emily especially enjoyed the big adventure. We're starting to think about getting our own canoe! 
You can tell the kids have had a good day when they fall asleep minutes after getting into the car.
WOW that looks like it was so much fun!!! We'll have to do it with you next year- or later this summer?
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