We originally planned on taking this trip last week, but a family conflict had us push this back one week. All the Richey boys were happy to set off on our annual tradition of canoeing and camping. Shanda was a great help in getting us ready, by purchasing the food and helping the boys get the gear packed and loaded. When I got home, I helped with the finishing touches of packing, loaded up the canoe and fishing gear, and set off with Joseph, Matthew and Andrew.
We left Taylor Avenue at about 3pm and drove to Causey Reservoir. Arriving at Causey, we unloaded the canoe and our gear from the van, and set off on our adventure.
We camped at the same place we did last year. I was surprised to see so many other canoes and kayaks in the water. I thought there was a chance we wouldn't get our same camp site, but perhaps because it is tucked away and a little less known spot, we were able to get our same camp site.
After setting up camp, we decided to go for a little canoe ride and some fishing. The weather was warm, but the water extremely cold. All three boys thought it would be fun to go swimming despite my warnings of the extreme cold temperature. We got to a point where I dropped all three boys on the shore while I cast a line in the water. I really didn't think they would jump in the frigid water. As I sat with my back to the rocks, all of a sudden I hear, splash! I turned around and saw Andrew bob to the top with his life jacket on, breathing in and out as fast as he could. Memories of various scout camps came flooding into my mind as I watched him doggy paddle to the shore. I was a little surprised to see Matthew follow suit after witnessing his little brother's reaction and shrieks that the water is ice cold! But I suppose not wanting to be out done by his younger brother, Matthew promptly jumped in the cold water with a very similar hyper-ventilation reaction. Next up Joseph; displaying maturity beyond his years, he decided to learn from his brother's experience and just climb into the boat, sans the swim. Wimpy or wise, I guess that is up for debate, and because I had no intentions of getting in that cold stuff, I'm going to argue vehemently, wise.
Returning to our camp, Joseph went to work on building a fire and preparing the "gourmet" hot dog meal. We all ate a bunch, and while Joseph was cooking the dogs, Andrew realizing there was no mom around, decided it would be a good time to cook up a s'more. Encourage by his youthful exuberance, I indulged on a few cooked marshmallows as well. At some point, Andrew took to calling everyone "partna" (said with a silent r), too cute, you really have to hear him say it!
Matthew withdrew a few times off by himself. I asked him if he was okay and encouraged him to join the group a few times. Usually just telling him I needed a famous Matthew hug was sufficient to get him back with the group. We decided to call the large rock in front of the tent door, "Matthew's Perch."
I love that the boys continued to pester me with "tell us another story." I told quite a few hunting stories about their Uncle Craig and me. I was really surprised at how many times I'd say, "did I tell you about when Uncle Craig and I were hunting and..." I guess that is okay, as we spent a lot of time hunting those parts. A particularly silly story about a mischievous wildcat caused raucous laughter from all and was probably the most memorable story of the night.
Nightfall came, and soon the fire started to shrink. Wanting to conserve firewood and with the late hour we moved the evening story telling, etc. in to the tent. Joseph had brought a few books with him, and I began reading to the boys until all but Joseph and I had drifted off to sleep. At about 10pm, both Joseph and I decided to call it a night.
By morning, I was surprised by the fact that I had a pretty good nights sleep. I seem to remember sleeping very poorly last year. Somehow this year it was perfect! Nobody had to get up and use the bathroom, I only had to help Andrew once with his rescue inhaler. Joseph claims to have been a little cold, perhaps maybe making a second case for "wimpy"?
We got up around 7am and decided to go try and do some additional fishing. The lake was perfectly calm, and we had a great time just enjoying the peace and surroundings. It was fun to run into Matt Gunn who actually had some success with the fishing pole. Matt has a dog very similar to our Ginger. When Andrew was telling his mother about meeting the dog he said something to effect, "Maybe Matt Gunn's dog is Ginger's ancestor... or maybe anbrother."
After about 2 hours of getting skunked, we returned to the camp to cook up some good ole fashion flapjacks. I gotta tell you, hot pancakes in that camp setting was just what we needed. Who needs fish when you have steaming hot pancakes coming off the griddle with syrup and chocolate milk. Even roughing it isn't roughing it whenever I can help it!
After breakfast, we set off on a little hike around the hills. The kids did well on the hike, and we were rewarded by getting to see a doe bound off only about 20 yards in front of us. We hiked up a ways and were able to shoot a few rounds out of my .22 pistol. Each of the boys took a turn and got to learn a little bit of gun safety.
We got home just after 2pm and the kids helped put things away so they could run up to Rolling Hills Pool to cool off. I was really impressed with how well all the boys worked together to take camp down and get the canoe loaded. Joseph was especially a star when it came to helping out. He takes initiative often, and I have to try and remind myself when he does something without being asked, though not the way I would do it, to complement not critique him. Matthew seemed a bit distant at times during the trip, I had to work a little harder to try and bring him in. In some ways I like that he is thoughtful and deliberate, but it also makes me fearful that he is trying to withdraw. Andrew was the camp "partna." He was generally very cheerful and kept us all laughing with his antics. Overall, I count myself lucky and blessed to be associated with these three young men.