Labor Day 2007

Internet issues, children now using the computer to complete homework assignments, and just plain busyness are detracting from blog time. But there are no shortages of adventures to share on Head and Heart.

Labor Day 2007 found the Seldens and Henry seeking for a meaningful and entertaining way to close out this "last day" of the summer. And it was a beautiful day, so our requirements were twofold: something outside, and something involving water. I proposed canoeing, one of those things I had never done but always thought would be fun to try, and Henry quickly agreed that this would be a fun activity.

Henry reserved two canoes for us at the Indian Valley Campground on the Thornapple River in Middleville. Immediately Jonathan suggested that "the boys should go together and the girls should go together." Little did he know, however, that that was not the plan. Henry--the only one of us with canoe experience--asserted another strategy: he and I in one, and Katie and Jonathan in the other.

While I really liked this scheme (it's so nice having another grown-up and not being outnumbered by the children), I was a little nervous about it. Katie and Jonathan are not known for their outdoor skills or their ability to work together, so I packed a couple of beach towels thinking that the best case scenario would be that only the two of them might need them.

We arrived at the campground and were transported by van to the launch on the Thornapple River in Middleville. Among our company was a man who seemed to know everything there is to know about canoeing, fishing, and just life in general. And he happily shared his wisdom during the entire van ride. We learned that he was looking forward to fishing for salmon later this fall when water levels hopefully would rise (more on him later).

We took our place at the end of the line and waited our turn for our canoes to be launched. I think that Jonathan must have said at least thirty-seven times, "I think an adult should be in each canoe," even though this adult would not have been much help. Eventually I threatened him with punishment if he said it one more time . . .

What a lovely time! With my experienced, gentleman canoe chaffeur, Henry, taking over the steering at the back of the canoe, I have nothing but enthusiasm for my first canoe experience. The whole trip back to the campground took about two and a half hours, and I can't think of a more pleasant way to spend a beautiful Labor Day afternoon,floating down the river and enjoying wildlife and scenery.

While Katie and Jonathan got off to a bit of a rough start, spending a great deal of time on either one bank or the other, they quickly learned how to maneuver the canoe off of sandbars, tree branches, and whatever other stuff was in the river to catch them up. Even though Henry and I quickly floated ahead of them, we knew they were okay because we could hear them screaming at each other for most of the first part of the trip. At one point we came upon Mr. Outdoors Salmon Expert wading with his companion in the shallows. Henry (jokingly) asked, "Find any salmon?" Not only does Mr. Outdoors Salmon know everything, he has absolutely no sense of humor, responding, in all seriousness, "There aren't any salmon in this river!" We were thankful to be enlightened.

Toward the end of our journey, we came upon some beautiful homes along the river. We noted the decks, the screened-in porches, and the outdoor swings and commented that it would be so lovely to be able to live along the peaceful river and enjoy the quietness and serenity of it all. This was followed by further screaming from Katie and Jonathan, Katie because there was a "gigantic" spider in the canoe, Jonathan insisting that it was not at all harmful and refusing to kill one of God's creatures and telling Katie that she needed to paddle and steer the canoe, and Katie insisting she would not paddle unless Jonathan killed the spider. It was a good time.

And it was a good time, creating some fun memories. Katie feels that she channeled her inner Pocahontas, and Jonathan had something interesting to share at school on Tuesday about what he did on Labor Day. And I got to enjoy the ride in the company of one of my favorite people, who also had a good time. We may have found a new Labor Day tradition.