“Daddy Day” is something I (Ryan) invented last summer. It is one day set aside each month where I research, plan, and pull off a surprise outing for the family. I usually try to plan something that is extra fun or maybe something we wouldn’t normally do.
Now that we are settled in Charlotte, I put the program into effect for this past weekend. I chose to do something that was a big part of my childhood that I really wanted to introduce Lauren to: canoeing. My parents started canoeing with me when I was as young as 18 months old, and by the time I was 10, we had canoed as a family all across America and Canada. It was one of my favorite outdoor activities.
So, last Saturday morning we packed a picnic lunch and headed out to Lake Norman State Park. At the lake, we rented a canoe and all the equipment that goes with it.
Now that we are settled in Charlotte, I put the program into effect for this past weekend. I chose to do something that was a big part of my childhood that I really wanted to introduce Lauren to: canoeing. My parents started canoeing with me when I was as young as 18 months old, and by the time I was 10, we had canoed as a family all across America and Canada. It was one of my favorite outdoor activities.
So, last Saturday morning we packed a picnic lunch and headed out to Lake Norman State Park. At the lake, we rented a canoe and all the equipment that goes with it.
Lauren outfitted and ready to hit the water
With Kimberly sitting up front, and Lauren sitting on a floating pad in the middle of the canoe, I pushed us off into the water. The first words out of Lauren’s mouth were, “I want to go home!”, but once she saw the first fish jump out of the water she forgot to be afraid and started enjoying herself.
In our tour of the lake, Kimberly spotted and pointed out to us a fresh water turtle sun bathing on a limb sticking out of the water. We also saw some egrets hanging out in the shallows, a Great Blue Heron fly overhead, a small flock of Canadian Geese take off and fly at eye level past the boat, and some very cool Dragon Flies with black and white wings. Lauren loved canoeing under the low bridge that separated the two halves of the lake.
The best part for me, sitting in the back steering the canoe, was watching Lauren peer over the side and dangle her hands in the water. I realized that decades ago my parents watched me do the very same thing. It was a nostalgic moment remembering back to when that was me and seeing myself in my own daughter.
It was a hot, muggy day and an hour in the boat was just right. We turned the canoe and equipment back in and then enjoyed lunch overlooking the lake. We made the drive home just in time to get Lauren down for her nap. Later that night we headed out to dinner with Lauren to celebrate Kimberly and I’s 7th Anniversary. It was a great day!
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