Canada | Day 5

This morning started with a little rain, so the kids snuggled up in the RV and played games together while Shawn and I drank coffee and listened to music - just like a weekend at home :) We also sat outside under mom and Craig's awning chatting and drinking more coffee.

The rained stopped and it turned into a beautiful day. 

Around lunch time, Shawn took the boys out for a mountain bike ride. They packed food, water, radios, and such to be prepared for a trek. I dropped them off at a cross country ski trail and planned to meet them at a point about an hour later to see if Logan needed to be picked up. Two hours later, I finally made contact with them over radio and they all needed a pick up! Turns out the trail was pretty rough (tons of mosquitoes and bees and super long grass and lots of hills)! Everyone was super excited to see the car! The boys were in good spirits even though it had been a tough experience. I guess Logan even went over the bars because the grass was so long, you couldn't see the pot holes!

As Shawn was unloading the bikes from the car, I took Logan out for his first time on a kayak. We kayaked on Marie Louise Lake around the point to the south so that we could see the Sleeping Giant. He loved it. He was calm and observant. He is an outdoor kid. We even saw two loons out on the water - right next to us. We listened to them sing to each other and watched them swim and dive under the water. I'm super bummed I didn't bring a camera on that trek.

Before dinner, we went on a little drive to the Thunder Bay Overlook. I think the road there was as cool as the overlook. It was a dirt road, full of rocks, potholes, and steep ups and downs. With the light rain, Shawn was a little nervous we would get stuck or pop a tire on the sharp rocks. Great terrain for a Jeep, a little tougher for a car. The boys lifted their arms in the air like they were on a rollercoaster :) 

The overlook was a slatted wood and steel cantilever that suspended you over the cliffs and Lake Superior below! With an amazing view of Thunder Bay and the islands in the distance. So pretty.

The curvy, hilly road on the way back ended up making Brecken car sick, but I'd say it was still worth the trek :)

We made brats and beans for dinner, put the kids to bed, and hung out with my mom, Craig, Mikayla and Mya around the fire having some much earned wine and s'mores :)

 

 

Canada | Day 4

Today we spent most of our day on the trails. And they were beautiful trails. We had lakes, we had rivers, we had boulders to climb over, we had steep climbs, and steep descents, we had rain, and we had sun.

Our goal was to summit the Sleeping Giant and enjoy the picturesque views at the top.

We packed our bags and planned for a 10 mile, 4-5 hour hike. I hesitated brining the kids on that far of a hike, but no one really wanted to stay behind - when you stay at Sleeping Giant, you want to climb the Giant!

We parked alongside a road and started in for the trek. We just got here yesterday afternoon, so we hadn't been familiar with the park or the trails yet. I expected the trails to be better marked, but between the lack of trail markers and our vague map, our 10 mile total hike turned into 10 miles one way!

I could go on and on about all the elements of the beautiful trail and how amazing the kids did. But all in all, I'd say a couple of the highlights were all the mossy rocks and trees, the view from the small lake with the giant in the background, of course the view from the top, the Lake Superior beach near the end of the hike, Mikayla's rain pant hairdo, how amazing Shawn did carrying Brecken the whole way, and how far our boys hiked before saying their legs were tired! When their legs were tired near the end, we played the alphabet game and took turns naming things that started with each letter, keeping to a certain category (ex: animals, things at a school, cities, states and countries). This distracted them and was actually pretty fun to play together :)

Brecken also did amazing. He cried around nap time (until he passed out) and a couple other times when he was sick of riding in the carrier. But for most of the time, he was just chill.

Final hike stats (according to the Garmin):

8 hours

17 miles

2500 feet of climbing

The boys were solid, fast, and energetic until about mile 15. I am so proud of them - and amazed. I honesty can't believe their little legs could carry them that far. And Ryder helped by carrying a day pack. These kids are going to be hiking the SHT with us in no time :)

At (almost) the end of the hike, Shawn ran back to the car (3 extra miles!!) since we took a different route back to cut some of the elevation and mileage out. 

 

 We often wondered if we were really on a trail...and if it really led to the top!!

Steep descents

 Beautiful overlooks

Steep and narrow climbs! Almost to the top - you can tell everyone's ready for a lunch break! Except Ry and Logan - they were still full of energy :)

 Lunch at the top!

 Scoping out a new route back...down, along the shoreline to the peninsula, and then to the left along the shoreline past the peninsula...

 The way back was much easier from a terrain standpoint. We stopped at the beach to take a break around mile 14 or so.

 Playing games to take the focus off our legs!

 A quick stop on the bridge for a family photo at mile 15! (I think Shawn is being eaten alive by mosquitoes!)

We made it back to camp in time for an 8:00pm dinner and a beautiful sunset on the lake :)

It was an amazing day, but I think we'll all be taking it a little easier tomorrow ;)

Canada | Day 3

Brecken woke up early (6:30ish) this morning and the other boys were still out cold, so I plopped him in the car and drove into Grand Marais. This gave everyone else a chance to sleep, let me get gas before crossing the border, and see the harbor.

We listened some great tunes as we drove along the shoreline, stopped at Java Moose for some coffee (and a quick check in with their wifi), and sat outside watching the seagulls and boats in the harbor. Really enjoyed the one on one time with Brecky. And walking around the town this early reminded me why I love mornings. It's calm out, quiet, and it seemed everyone had a coffee in hand. No one was in a hurry, people were friendly and were enjoying the morning. 

Since our campground (and much of northern highway 61) doesn't have cell service, I figured by 8ish I should head back. We had a nice slow morning, had an easy site pack up with the RV, and started the journey north!

We crossed the border into Canada this afternoon for the boys' first official time leaving the country!

It was a beautiful drive to the border and then an inland, uneventful (thankfully) drive to the next campground. 

Our site at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is beautful! We are in the small group campsite, right on Marie Louise Lake, with water access, and tons of space and seclusion. And the sun sets across the lake. It is so perfect. With the RV, it feels like we are at a cabin on the lake! We are so thankful for this privilege because it makes camping with the boys so much easier and so much more enjoyable!

This afternoon, Shawn took the boys out for a 4.5 mile mountain bike ride and Mya and I went out for a sunset kayak. 

 Above: Kayaking towards the Sleeping Giant

Above: Paddling back toward our campsite

All the boys went to bed great and let Shawn and I enjoy the bonfire with everyone. With electric hook up at this site, we were able to bring the baby monitor out to the fire to keep an eye on Brecks. Looking forward to spending the week here!

Canada | Day 2

Today we had a full day at Judge CR Magney State Park. We had a beautifully lush campsite that was right next to my mom, Craig, Mikayla, and Mya's site. We even had a little trail from their picnic table to ours :)

After an early lunch, we did the campground hike to the waterfall. The hike had two waterfall viewing spots, 201 stairs, and a nice rocky beach along the river to relax at.

We spent the afternoon playing some bean bags, throwing the football around, and just relaxing. The boys did about 30 laps around the campground on their bikes. They are just to the age where we're letting them have a little more independence (thanks to their dad - if it were up to me, I'd want eyes on them 24/7!). Of course, Logan tried to ride up a huge dirt mound and came back completely covered in dirt. He had rode up, lost momentum, tipped over, and fell down the dirt pile. 

It made me laugh that the nurses who stitched Logan up said to only put a bandaid on only if he is doing something where he could get dirty and a waterproof bandaid if he could get wet. Otherwise they wanted it to have airflow. But he is a 5 year old boy. He fell into the river at the base of the waterfall and later rolled on that pile of dirt! If he is awake, he will be getting dirty...

We finished the night with a bonfire and fudge stripe s'mores :)