Summer passes the baton to fall. Kids are headed back to school, the household shifts into fall mode, the crickets chirp louder, different birds visit the feeders, we reassess the summer projects that didn’t get done, and we even begin to wonder aloud how much snow we’ll get this winter. When the seasons change and I reorganize items in my house, I often come across something I’ve kept either tucked away or hidden in plain view.
A couple of weeks ago, as the kids and I were gathering what they were going to take to college, I happened to notice the canoe paddles my children used in their early days of paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over the years, we had the entry point lake names burned in the paddles as a record of those early trips that began when they were four and six years old. The paddles seem so small and toy-like now; it is hard to believe they were right-sized at the time. The need to keep a record fell off as the trips became more common, and I discontinued adding lake names as the paddles filled up.
I look at these paddles now and reminisce of those early days in the canoe, when the kids were duffers (sitting in the middle of the canoe and not paddling), followed by the pleasure of watching them become strong and competent paddlers. I remember fondly the lakes and portages. The paddles take me right back—the work, planning, challenges, laughter, discoveries.
Voyager upon life’s sea,
To yourself be true,
And where’er your lot may be
Paddle your own canoe.
Never, though the winds may rave,
Falter nor look back;
But upon the darkest wave
Leave a shinning track.. . .
Every wave that bears you on
To the silent shore,
From its sunny source has gone
To return no more.
Then let not an hour’s delay
Cheat you of your due;
But, while it is called today,
Paddle your own canoe.—Sarah Knowles Bolton
excerpt from “Paddle Your Own Canoe”
What have you discovered lately? Have you come across something you had forgotten that you kept? Or maybe you noticed something again that was always in plain view?
[Paddle images by Moon Lake Multimedia. All rights reserved.]
Sandy
When our son was young and needed to be coaxed to do longer hikes we bought him a hiking staff at Glacier National Park. He enjoyed collecting Medallions from the places we went and added them to his staff. This stick/staff is in the corner of his “old” bedroom and I love the memories it invokes.
Susan
What a great incentive to encourage your son to do longer hikes. It must have worked if he has a collection of them on his staff! How nice that you have this treasure to enjoy! Reading your comment brought back memories of how much our kids loved the gift shops at state and national parks.
Sandy
Oh yes, the visitor centers and gift shops were a big deal! The best part is that he was interested in the exhibits, artifacts, information and of course the items available for purchase!