Canoe Trip Hike

A few weeks ago, Mark planned a family canoeing trip on the Fox River.  Despite my reservations, we decided to take the kids (and myself) on our first ever canoe trip.  We woke early in the morning, packed up the van, and drove about 1.5 hours to the canoe rental site.  Only to be told that they weren't allowing children under 16 out on the river today, due to the high levels and fast moving water from recent rains.

Sadness ensued.

We hopped back in the car and used our handy GPS to help us find something else to do in the area, and wound up at Starved Rock State Park.  Mark and I had visited the park years ago, when Jenna was just a baby in a backpack carrier.  Since we left the house that morning intending to go canoeing, we were all wearing water gear and flip-flops and Crocs.  Not exactly hiking attire!  But we made the best of it, and visited the indoor exhibits, "hiked" on a .4 mile paved path, and had a picnic lunch next to the river.

The best thing about kids is their adaptability.  Although we were all a bit disappointed about missing out on canoeing (Mark especially), we made the best of the day and the kids had a great time.