At the end of April, ten Pinkies will trade in our tennis shoes for water shoes. We’ll be canoeing down the Colorado River, starting at Hoover Dam and paddling about 15 miles over three days. Lisa and Lori, who have led the river trip for BSA Troop 1201 many times in the past, will be our teachers and mentors. On Saturday, we had our first peek into what we have gotten ourselves into when we took to the waters of Huntington Harbor during our mandatory Canoe Prep. Here’s to Carolyn who braved pulling the trailer topped with six canoes and luckily got through the day without having to back them up.

After a detailed and very firm lesson from Lisa about how to get in and out of, pack and maneuver our canoes, we all donned our life jackets, picked up our paddles and tested our newly acquired canoeing skills with a short 1.5 mile paddle in very calm waters. We were joined by Cliff, Tom and Alec, all veterans of Troop 1201’s canoe trip who came along to help with the prep. Thank you guys. Wendy, watched from her beach chair, resting her ankle which we hope will heal in time for her to join us.

Thanks to everyone for a great picnic afterwards, especially Lisa for the homemade fried chicken. And Laurie, that famous family recipe for lemonade cake was an overwhelming hit. Here are a few pictures of the day to enjoy.  (Thanks Wendy for the photos.)