Canoe Trip 2012

We spent the past 4 days/3 nights at Ozark Outdoors campground near Leasburg, Missouri. Monday, which was Preston's 12th birthday, we spent canoeing on the Meramec River. We joined our friends Barry & Nikki, their 6 kids, Nikki's parents, some friends of Nikki's parents, Nikki's aunt & uncle, and some of Nikki's cousins. It is always a joyously fun group.

Tent camping is NOT my thing, but I do this because Nikki does such a fabulous job organizing this trip each year, because my kids get a chance to have a vacation with other kids (not just boring old Mom & Dad), because the food is always super, and because the personalities of the attendees are so great. As you'll be able to see by the pictures below, the scenery isn't so bad either!

Brock proudly stands in front of his masterpiece. He put up the tent with NO help from me.

The inside of our humble abode: our bed on the left; the kid's on the right.

Shaling enjoyed some baseball.

Shaling enjoyed some baseball.

Preston chose board games.

We toured Onondaga Cave.

The kids look at "the twins".

Black bear bones were found in the cave, but it is thought that a previous owner may have placed them there.

This was right before the tour guide turned off ALL lights, including his flashlight, so we could experience pitch dark.

Yes, those are bats in the right corner.

The kids stand by a water mark from a 2008 flood.

Shaling is a superstar.

To the left is a small opening above the water. This was the first discovered entrance to the cave. Two men in a boat laid flat and used their hands to push against the ceiling to enter the cave.

We begin our float down the Meramec River.

Preston is enjoying his birthday.

Shaling is in the front.

This egret led the way for us for awhile.

Preston Rope Swings from Amy Reynolds on Vimeo. On his 12th birthday, Preston bravely became the only kid (and one of only three people total) on the float trip to try the rope swing across the Meramec River. The first time took several minutes and a lot of encouragement, but after that he kept going back for more. This was his 3rd time. We discovered that Shaling has a fear of heights, as she climbed up, but after nearly 10 minutes, climbed back down without swinging.

Meramec River - Swim Stop from Amy Reynolds on Vimeo. During our float, we stopped several times to go swimming and cool off.