and that means that it is time to go canoeing. Also that it is time to do some maintenance that I have been putting off. Earlier in the week I oiled the wood on the Kipawa. I don't think that Birdgit will want to do any solo canoeing this year. Her center of gravity is off and the water isn't warm yet and later in the summer we will have a newborn to deal with in the canoe.

I got the rack on the car and bought some replacement bolts for ones that end up missing. The paddles needed some love too so I got some varnish and have been touching up spots where it has worn off.

We did get to go out at Bandemer for a paddle. Eli is much more mobile and inquisitive this year. He is able to walk around the canoe and was enthralled with the ducks, geese, and muskrat that we saw. He also really wants to paddle, so I will be making a paddle for him (hopefully this week). He kept picking up a paddle to put it in the water. I have started teaching him the proper way to hold the paddle, but his stroke needs some practice.

This year should be a lot of fun, but it will be challenging with 2 kids and 2 adults. We may just have to tie up and sit in the canoe.

Also other canoes are out. We saw a number of nice canoes: a Merrimack Tennessean, a Kruger Seawind, and Mad River Eclipse.