August 2 - Day Two Camping Manning Park

Our morning routine began like this: get dressed, feed everyone, do dishes, clean up and once we were all fed and watered - we filled up on more water and headed out. This was to be our daily routine for the following week.
This morning we made a stop at the Manning Park Resort and spent some time with the ground squirrels. They totally reminded me of our Parkland days - my school growing up. Parkland WAS out in the boonies back then (the city is slowly getting closer these days) so most of our soccer/football/track field was full of holes from Richardson Ground Squirrels. These ground squirrels were of a different variety but sure look like their Alberta cousins. My dear brother and his friends were known to trap the above said squirrels - I'm not quite sure what they did with them after that but needless to say that it's not without good reason that my dear brother has shared good squirrel stew recipes in the family cookbook!!


This scene would become familiar - baby sleeping in car seat and/or sudoku puzzles being worked on.



We took a moment to drive by Uncle Will's old cabin at East Gate from when he was the ranger of Manning Park. Will has good memories of going there with his sister, Adriana and skiing on Gibson Mountain.

Next, we spent some time bringing the canoe from the campsite via van to the boat launch.

Aleana and I paddled to the beach from the launch. We were surprised at how fast we could canoe together and even more surprised when we beat the boys back to the beach!!

Bye, guys!!!

Canoeing with Aleana was fun - it had been awhile for me but it's like biking, you never forget how it works. This experience also brought back memories of my Grade 9 camping and canoe trip on Jarvis Lake, Alberta. Someday I'll write more about that trip - what great memories.

Will joined us down at the beach and Ethan and I traded spots. He and Aleana spent every day in the canoe and I was shocked at how well that went, they managed to co-operate and stay afloat. It was nice to see.

Okay, off you go!! See you in an hour.

Look, Dad is taking our picture! Giggle giggle.

I love it when Daddy carries me like this!!

Should we wrestle our way into the water? That would be fun!!

It was slightly overcast today. The water was sooooo clear and mountain cold.

That's the boat launch on the other side of Lightening Lake.

Trillium that we had growing right in front of our campsite.

Ontario's Provincial Flower.

We really enjoyed our picnic shelter this year. It provided safety from the bugs for us during meals and for Nadia through out the day.

I'm nursing Nadia - just to explain why my back is turned.

We love camping!!!

Camping makes us tired - Will and I don't REALLY relax until the third day, once a rhythm has been established.

After supper Will took the little boys fishing. Matthew caught three!!!

He would tell anyone who would listen his fishing story.

Another one of his prizes - he let them all go back from whence they came.

What is it about catching a fish that makes one so thrilled?

Is it surprising that the LORD chose fishermen to be his disciples?

"I will make you fishers of men"

Will said later that fishing with the boys was sublime. He told them that they had better be quiet or no fish would come and they were!!! For almost the whole hour...wonders never cease.
Thank you LORD for day two of safety and fun.