Canoeing on the Little Miami!

What: Canoeing on the Little Miami River
When: Wednesday, May 27th 9 AM SHARP
Departing from: Morgan's Canoe (near Ft. Ancient)
5701 State Route 350 Oregonia, Ohio 45054
Cost: $5 per person
Who: Homeschoolers ages 8 and up (with adult), children over the age of 13 may attend without a parent as long as the parent signs a waiver of liability. Trip is limited to 30 participants.
RSVP: Laura

My brother has aided me in setting up the following event thanks to the help of one of his friends, Bill Cacciolfi. We will get 3 hours of canoeing led by a world class canoe/kayak instructor and real safari guide. Also included is a hike where the kids can collect fossils and such around the Ft. Ancient area. It includes all the canoes and the bus ride back to the starting point.Please pack a lunch. All the lunch supplies will be packed in dry bags. We will eat lunch during a break in the trip on a sandbar. Sunscreen strongly recommended. Swimtrunks for boys and swimsuits forgirls (with shorts worn over them) and t-shirts are encouraged for all participants. It’s suggested to put anything that can’t get wet in a water proof container or leave it in the car (remember that things that go overboard may sink!). Also, they recommend old gymshoes, water shoes or heavy duty sandals that strap to your feet (no flip flops because they tend to get lost if you tip over),cheap sunglasses, and if you are an adult you might want a cushion to sit on!

Directions from Cincinnati: Fort Ancient Canoe Livery is on the Little Miami River, approximately 10 minutes north of Kings Island. Take I-71 to Exit 32, (Rt. 123 Morrow Exit). Go south on Rt. 123 approximately 1 block to Rt. 350 (Interstate Mart). Turn left on Rt. 350 approximately 2 miles to the river. Do not go to Morrow.

I just talked to Bill (our guide) and he wants us at Morgan's at 9 AM so that we can get in the river sooner, as he needs to be done by 1 PM. He also said that the place we will end has basketball, volleyball, etc and we are welcome to play, swim in the river, etc when he is finished with us. He said it would be nice if we could patronize the business there (they sell snack, icecream, pop...around $2-$2.50) since they are providing our transportation back to Morgan's after the canoe trip and that would usually add another $10 PER CANOE. He said to plan to going if it is just sprinkling, but check for updates from me if we get heavy rains/rising river.

What an AMAZING day! The weather was absolutely perfect and our guide Bill was AWESOME! He is the kind of guy I would love to just spend time hanging around with, he embraces the belief of following your passions and has used his passions to build a career for himself that he LOVES! He even raises animals for Jack Hanna! How cool is that?

Jacob and I survived being in a canoe together, despite me being directionally challenged and absolutely LOUSY at steering! I don't know how many times we made the canoe turn in circles, but I can pretty much bet Jacob knows the exact number! We only hit bottom once, where he had to get out and DRAG the canoe to get us floating again! Poor William was stuck in the middle of our canoe and every so often would look petrified, probably because he know I had no idea what I was doing!

The kids had a blast. We stopped after about an hour and played and explored. There was a cool tree for jumping from and a rope swing (which we had trouble getting to!). Then we canoed another hour to the campgrounds where we got to eat lunch and the kids got to play volleyball, basketball and swim more in the river!

Unfortunately, all the pictures are on a cheapy throw away camera, no way was I taking my digital onto the river with me! When I get them developed, I will share them if they are worth sharing!

Can't wait to do it again! Maybe in the fall?