Canoe feel it?

As you know, this island here is a beautiful place but it is even more beautiful once you get out on the water. My parents and Big Derek decided to finally take Grandpoop's canoe out for a spin. It turned out to be the best day yet, for them that is. I am not allowed in the canoe yet on account of the tipping factor. Darn that darn tipping factor!

The men carried the canoe on their heads all the way down the trail to the water and Mama carried the paddles.


Dad was in the front leading the way.


Mama got to sit all casual in the middle and relax while the men rowed.


It's tranquil and picturesque and real sweet out there. You get to see all the neat houses that are hidden in the woods. Each has their own dock and their own fancy boat.


And then there's this guy. He's a Great Blue Heron. He flew over the boat, this big white wingspan about five feet wide and they all felt that it was a taradactyl. It was totally Lord of the Rings. It landed a few feet away on the dock, his dock apparently, and they rowed right over to him to check him out and he didn't mind. He stood as tall as me with beautiful white, grey and black feathers, more like he was wearing an expensive fur coat.


And he just cruises around strutting his stuff.


We are just visitors in his cove, Hidden Cove.


The quiet, glassy waters of Hidden Cove. My parents and Derek were quiet and glassy too.


Duck your head, Dad.


Derek had a lot more ducking to do.


This is for real ducking. The mama and all her little kids in a perfect row. I could learn a thing or two from the perfect row.


Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...life IS but a dream.


And a good breather after a good, good row. Life is but a good, good dream.


And the trek back. Harder uphill.


But real worth it.