We knew our paddling adventures would dramatically change with Eli on board, but we also couldn't imagine raising kids who didn't share our love of canoeing. When he was just eight months old, we decided to take him on a trip down the Yellowstone River in Montana. Although friends and family expressed doubts, we persisted. Sure, things might not go according to plan, but what does with children?
The first morning in the canoe, we were preoccupied with making sure the baby was safe and secure on the water. Our attention focused on changing his diapers, feeding him and watching to be sure he avoided sunburn. After awhile, though, Marypat and I loosened up, and we truly started enjoying the magic of canoeing with a child. With Eli as my guide, I was exposed all over again to the warmth of beach sand. I was hearing my first goose honk overhead. And I was pulled back into the strange and glittering world of flowing water, which mesmerized Eli as my paddle dipped rhythmically into the river.
Today, Eli is six and routinely paddles bow. Canoeing has become a way of life for my family, which now includes Sawyer, age five, who's determined to match her brother's technique, and Ruby, age three, a veteran of more expeditions than many adults. Our family shares memories of crackling campfires and wilderness stories and revels in the joy of traveling together on some of the nation's most beautiful waterways.
Canoeing makes a lot of sense for families who enjoy outdoor adventures. Unlike backpacking, it doesn't require you to carry the load. The canoe does it for you, and there's plenty of room for picnic blankets, toys and fresh food. In a canoe, you can get to much more remote places than you could ever reach by car.
Most important, canoeing lets you share the wonders of nature. On a three-day trip down the Missouri River in Montana, my family drifted along the same route that Lewis and Clark explored nearly 200 years earlier. The kids spotted Indian paintbrush growing out of rock crevices, dug for freshwater clams in the muddy shallows and watched pelicans drift serenely overhead. Each day was packed with dozens of their small adventures: Sawyer capturing a little frog, Ruby splashing joyfully in a shallow pool and Eli proudly grinning when he scaled a small pinnacle of sandstone.
To help you experience the fun of canoeing as a family, I've compiled some of my best tips, geared to beginners. Over the next six pages, you'll find my family's favorite games and activities, as well as a list of scenic waterways to try out. Like Marypat and me, maybe you'll find that your first canoe trip with children will lead to a lifetime of adventures.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.
