After breakfast

Morgan wasn't too keen on breakfast without Mom. This may have had something to do with Dad forgetting the milk at Uncle Dave and Aunt Heather's place. Apple juice in the morning just doesn't make it with Morgan. Red River cereal was good stuff though, especially with lots of dried fruit. So with a full belly we set out on the river.

Map in hand, Morgan guided us down the river from the bow of her canoe. She was the first to see obstacles such as rocks and sweepers (branches hanging in the water). However, communication problems forced us to retire her and have another canoe take the lead.

Morgan also did what napping she could on the bottom of the canoe. Her favourite parts of the first day were the portages. She didn't have to carry anything and other people would play with her.

After we arrived at our beautiful island site, Morgan and Jessie (in the background) foraged while the rest of the group set up tents. After finding little that she wanted to eat she settled for the risotto that the rest of us were having.

After supper, Morgan really wanted to play on the little rapid next to our site, so Uncle Dave agreed to take her as his bow paddler. They had a great time and Morgan's white-water skills are really coming along. They stayed on the river as long as there was light, but Morgan still couldn't manage an effective brace.

She was pretty tired after all her paddling and went to bed as soon as she got off the river and slept to the music of cascades on both sides of the island until 8:30 the next day.

Morgan was a good tripper and packed her own dry bag for the paddle home.

Ever helpful, Morgan helps J down the hill to the beach where our canoe is being put into the water by other members of the group (Heather & Naomi). Still tired from her whitewater paddling the night before, Morgan slept for the last two hours of the paddle home while being rained on in the bottom of the canoe -- she didn't seem to notice.

TRIP
NOTES

This was Morgan's first real canoe trip. She wasn't quite able to walk at the time and had some frustration at the rough ground. Overall she had a great time and really likes being outside and in the canoe.

My stupidity in not bringing her milk also led to this being her first significant time without breast milk. She wasn't weaned until some months later, however. I was very surprised at how well she dealt with the absence of breast milk and her mom.

I took cloth diapers and used liners to collect shit. That way we could bury hers as well and if necessary clean diapers much more easily. I would highly recommend this approach as opposed to lugging full disposables back out.

If you're going to trip with babies or small children, good long underwear and/or a wetsuit are a must unless the water is warm. They are small and if they go in they will reach hypothermic temperatures much quicker than an adult. I'll try to add a longer tripping with children page at some point.

I'll add more specifics about the route after I check with Dave.