Tag Archives: Canoeing

Canoeing on Okmulgee Lake

We spent Sunday afternoon in a canoe on Okmulgee Lake.

He asked if I wanted to work on my steering.

I said no.

All I could picture was my tipping us over or steering us right into the side of a boat…

He loves to put his fingers in the water as we go along.

Beautiful evening to explore Oklahoma!

We saw many herons, egrets, and fish.

The little bird up in the tree in this pic is a Green Heron.

We do not see them as often but this trip we saw several.

They crack me up because they hide more than fly away.

And they are GOOD at it!

I would stare at a spot I knew they went to and not see them!

First time bringing binoculars.

It was a great idea!

Taking a nap.

It smelled wonderful!

These yellow flowers were blooming all over the woods.

My favorite thing is taking these little streams(whatever they are called) off the main area.

It is always beautiful and it makes me feel like an explorer!

I never really grew up…

We let the boys wade for a bit when we got back to where we parked.

This little guy slipped and panicked.

It was not pretty.

He was totally safe, he had a life jacket on and was in shallow water.

I think swimming lessons are going to have to happen very soon…

Did you get outside last weekend?

Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, MN

While up in Minnesota a couple weeks ago visiting in-laws my husband and I went on an overnight canoe trip!

It was at Voyageurs National Park.

All campsites in the park are accessible only by boat. There are NO drive-to campsites in Voyageurs National Park.

There is no fee for the campsites but a free permit is required.

We started at the Ash River Visitor Center and went north to Lost lake for the first night.

It was like we had our own private lake!

If looking at the campsite map it is campsite K19, I highly recommend it!

My father in-law let us use his hobo stove that he made, while we were there.

It worked great!

It takes very little fuel and boils water very quickly!

We were in bear country so most of the campsites had these food lockers.

We tried these freeze dried meals for the first time.

You can find this brand at Walmart, the pasta ones were pretty good but the eggs were just odd.

The consistency was throwing me for a loop!

Next time I think we will just bring instant oatmeal…

The colors were so beautiful!

We hiked a little ways away from the campsite to get a better view of the sunset.

It was mostly bushwhacking.

Ducking and weaving can be a little bit tiring…

We decided to stop short of our goal because we were pretty sure we would not get there until well after the sun was already down.

I made Nick really nervous here.

Right at my feet is a steep drop off.

I might have been a little less then cautious to get this shot set up…

I did not fall though!

So it is almost like I was being careful.

But not quite…

The next day brought some of the hardest paddling I have ever done.

We were going against these waves for most of the morning.

I might have a bad habit of stopping when I think we are going under.

Nick would have to yell at me to keep paddling.

I am pretty sure I would have tipped the canoe over many times if it were not for him!

I regretted every time I skipped lifting weights before this trip.

I was literally yelling at myself to finish strong just to keep myself paddling.

My arms were jello.

I am still not sure how I kept paddling.

We got our map from National Geographic.

It really came in handy and it was waterproof, which was really good because both it and I got wet.

The person in the front always gets wet in rough water.

The alternative was me being in charge of steering and keeping us from tipping though.

Wet it is.

We went all the way around Round Bear Island to Lost Bay for our second night.

On the campsite map it is K16.

Surrounded by water.

So amazing!

We did some more bushwhacking to the North of our campsite after we set up.

There was a trail north of us and I thought we could maybe get to it from our campsite.

We ended up turning back after a while though.

We were following a game trail about the shape of a barrel and it had a LOT of bear scat.

I talked a lot.

If nothing else I bored any bear around us into leaving us be.

Enjoying a beautiful sunset!

I unzipped my tent after a long night of listening for bears and this is what greeted me.

Amazing.

 

Even though the water was a lot calmer on our last day we still decided to portage the canoe instead of going back around Round Bear Island.

We used the 1/4 mile portage from the Long Slough to Lost Lake(were we had stayed on the first night).

Nick told me the canoe did not weigh much.

He lied.

I was again left regretting every missed arm workout.

I really wanted to check portaging a canoe off of my mental “things I have done” list though.

I did half of the 1/4 mile…

Heading back to the Ash River Visitor Center on Kabetogama Lake.

It was bittersweet to go back.

I loved waking up to the stillness.

I loved waking up to air the same temperature as the outside.

The feel of the breeze on my face all day.

Woods all around me.

It truly is a beautiful place.

I hope to go back some day.

8yr Anniversary ~Buffalo River, AR

To celebrate our 8yr anniversary (WOW! That is a long time!) we went to Branson via the Buffalo River.

We were actually just in this area for my birthday last November but I love it so much I wanted to go again!

We have never been to the Compton trailhead so it was a nice change for this trip.

We went towards Hemmed-in Falls and then over to the Buffalo so the total trip for us was around 6.5miles.

pathway

It is a beautiful trail but very strenuous.

It was a lot of downhill, then back uphill on the way back.

Lots of berries lining the trail.

The river is at a record low!

I have never seen it like this.

Crazy.

Halfway back up.

This pic makes me laugh.

Nick’s knee was hurting pretty bad (someone took him on a really hard on the knees trail) and I knew he would not be smiling so I was trying to not grin like a fool.

Apparently when I only slightly smile I look like I am mad.

I was really tired from not much sleep the night before so I will blame it on that…

We stayed at the Hilton on Branson Landing in Branson, MO.

It was a nice hotel and in a great location but everything extra (including internet and parking!) cost extra.

Nick is not a fan of Hilton Hotels because of all the extra fees.

I made Nick take my pic on the balcony.

Our balcony had a great view of the fountain show that they do on the hour.

The next day we headed back to the Buffalo to go canoeing.

We had to drive farther east then we have ever gone to get to a part deep enough.

I liked the outfitter we used, Buffalo River Outfitters.

They had good service and got us into the water quickly.

 

I LOVE this river!

It is so breathtaking.

I had Nick getting us really close to this rock so I could use it in the foreground of my shot.

I did not see the snake sunbathing on the rock until Nick pointed it out.

You would think since I live in Oklahoma and we have poisonous snakes I would watch out for these guys more…

We tried to get as close as possible to get a good pic but he hid in the rock when we got closer.

 

We followed this guy (we just happened to be going the same way) for a while at the end of our trip.

I love Heron’s they are so beautiful!

If you are looking for a place to eat while playing on the Buffalo, the Ozark Cafe in Jasper, AR was a pleasant surprise.

They had an interesting building, good food, and friendly people.

They have also been in business for over 100yrs!

There is also a zipline tour offered in Ponca at the Buffalo Outdoors Center as well as canoe trips, ect…

Lots of hiking, beautiful ozarks, and a beautiful river!

Such a beautiful place to enjoy nature!