Swanson River adventure

What a weekend we had. Aaron and I floated the Swanson River (for those of you who do not know it, it is more like a creek with huge boulders randomly placed and a lot of really slow moving water) for the first time in about 3 or 4 years. When we did it the first time, we went by ourselves and got a really late start on the river where ended the first night camping under a bridge with me frantic about all the moose we had seen in the river. Since that first memorable float, Aaron and I have gotten it down to a science where he mostly drives and I mostly fish (just the way he likes it). I also know that while we may hit lots of rocks, the odds of us tipping are not likely, so I have learned to relax and enjoy the experience. As a result, we approached our friends, the Hansens and Ponds with the idea of floating the Swanson way back in April when we were planning our summer fun.

This last weekend was the designated time, so we set of with no kids, Pepper 6 1/2 months pregnant, and I later found out that it was also her first time in a canoe! Now the Swanson is a great place to learn to canoe, but maybe not when your 6 months prego. Lets just say that canoeing the Swanson is a great test for any marriage. It is also a lot like marriage where you have to learn to communicate and work with your spouse. Aaron and I just smiled when we heard both Hansens and Ponds saying things like "You have to tell me where the rock is before we hit it!", and  "Steer right, I mean left, no right!" We only smiled because we said a lot of that our first 2 times on the river. 

As usual, we had a lot of great laughs and crazy conversations. We also saw some great wildlife, not too much moose thankfully, but one really cute baby right in the middle of the river. He thought he was tough stuff, and then momma came running through the trees and herded him out of our crazy trio. I think some of us had to change our shorts after that, but no one was harmed. We also saw tons of beaver dams, lots of adorable baby ducks, and some beautiful wild flowers.

Aaron had to liven things up on the end of the first day when took a little dip off the canoe. He has never fallen from a canoe that I know of, but we got hung up on a rock, and as he usually does, he got out to push us off the snag. He landed one foot on the rock, then quickly discovered the huge drop off the side of the rock as his second foot plunged to the bottom. Rather than tipping the canoe and taking me in with him, he gallantly let go of the canoe and got water all down his waters. What a guy. Thankfully, we were pretty close to the campsite and were able to get him dried out pretty quick.

We all survived the 20 mile trek, and I think we all had fun (I think it will take Pepper a few months to decide) :) Props to the pregnant one! Until the next fun-filled Alaskan adventure! Thanks to Grandma and Papa for watching the kids too. You are the best!!

P.S. Bex, put some pics on here for me would ya? :)