four girls, one canoe and a Friday afternoon

Four eleven-year-old mates gathered in the backyard, hungry for a canoe adventure.

I will admit:

I hesitated before giving permission.

I wasn't sure they were old enough...

But OH!  They had fun.

They paddled over the beaver dam and out to "the island."

I had them in my sights, unsure at first, and then happy to sort-of be along (on shore).

They laughed and squealed and worked together.

They saw frogs and crayfish, ducks and a great blue heron.

In the end, they ALL came back.

A little soggier than they went out--they swabbed the poop deck and had great tales to tell.

Thank Goodness for Friday afternoon!