MAIDEN VOYAGE

We took our new canoe out for a sunset voyage! We set off from the boat launch at Kingston Point Park and paddled north along the shore of the Hudson. Except for a few distant barges, we had the river to ourselves. And my goodness was it picturesque. The swallows were out in force, and there were deer drinking along the banks.

Justin sat in the back...so he did most of the paddling. Luckily, summer camp served him well and he's quite the canoer! And the boat? She is indeed yar.

Now we just need to name her. Some ideas: The Harvest Moon, Colonel Mustard, Trocadero (after my favorite Swedish soda), The Hello Yellow, Golden Girl, Josephine (after my gram), and The Crescent Moon (in homage to Henry Hudson's ship The Half Moon). What do you guys think? Suggestions? Opinions?

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

We got a canoe! It's a 17 foot vintage mustard yellow Old Town with a light minty green interior. I did some serious craigslist hunting and this was one of the cheapest boats out there. And it's pretty darn cute too.

We had to drive an hour and a half to get it....which was totally fine. After all, it was a bargain. But...driving an hour and a half back with a giant canoe strapped to our tiny old car was a little bit nerve wracking. Once we were convinced that it was not going to fly off of our roof and on to the Thruway we were fine. Apparently our canoe strapping skills are better than we gave ourselves credit for!

Next up: take her out and see if she's yar.

CANOE LUST

Ever since our neighbor took us kayaking a month ago Justin and I have been wanting to get a boat of our own. We considered getting kayaks...but I think a canoe is more our style. There is just something old-timey and romantic about a canoe.

If money wasn't an issue we would totally get a beautiful hand-crafted wooden one...

But, honestly, I think we'll be perfectly happy in whatever inexpensive canoe we manage to find on craigslist. And we can just spruce it up with some adorable canoe accessories.

Like some pretty wooden paddles...

And some lovely canoe packs...

And some old fashioned wooden seats....

Hmm...now if only we had a vintage Chevy wagon...

sources: vintage postcard of girls in canoe found here; american traders wooden canoe; sanborn canoe co. wooden paddle; john mcguire canoe basket; mcgarry's canoe pack via selectism; essex industries canoe seats; chevy wagon photo by john wilmot. and as always: if i used one of your photos and you would like me to take it down or credit you differently please let me know. i would be more than happy to change it. xx darbie