Growing up, my family (including Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins)  would often take a long weekend in the summer and run our canoes, packed with camping gear, down the Saco from Fryeburg, ME.  It was always a relaxed affair, as the distance covered in 3-4 days probably could have been completed in a day if one was inclined to do so.  However, this particular excursion was always less about the paddling and more about enjoying the River.  

Thirty years ago,  the Saco was a different experience than it is today.  It hadn't yet reached wide-spread popularity with the College scene.  For the most part, you had your choice of beaches for setting up camp, and you weren't concerned about stepping on a broken beer bottle or someone's used toilet paper.  Those who were on the river appreciated its pristine qualities and the quiet solitude it afforded.  We would float down the 2-3mph current, stopping at practically every bend to explore the beaches and jump off the rocks.  Coming upon a rope swing was always a treat, often provoking an early lunch break.

However, as my cousin and I came of an age where we could  make the trip unsupervised, we began noticing the change.  As the River became more popular and crowded, the experience was different and couldn't match what we sought from our childhood.  Instead of a peaceful experience, it was now a battle to get to the prime beaches before anyone else.  Regardless, we would most likely find ourselves sharing a spot with a group of rowdy kids who were more interested in the novelty of a floating keg party than enjoying the solitude.  Ironically, Chris and I were known to enjoy a good party.  But, on the Saco we sought something else and were finding it harder and harder to come by.  It wasn't long before I grudgingly gave up trying to find the old experience, and turned my back on the Saco.

Jump ahead almost 20 years.  It's the summer of 2007 and I find myself with a lovely wife and 2 children of my own.  As is the case with most parents, I try to share the experiences that brought me joy as a kid with my young family.  We camp, hike, sail, canoe, etc.  But, never had it occurred to me to share the Saco with them.  Call it selfish, but I suppose I knew that it was no longer possible to share this precious childhood gift with them, because it no longer existed.  

However, during a week in June, I founnd myself staying in a small chalet-style cottage over-looking the Saco.  Our neighbors had graciously allowed us to use it for the week and it's an opportunity not to be passed-up.  As the week approached, the old memories returned and I wondered if it just might be possible to share some semblance of my childhood with my family.  I even found a good buy on a two-person inflatable boat to accompany the canoe that is at the cabin.

One thing I've learned about exposing the kids to my adventures is that it is always wise to ease them in.  Investing a lot of time and money into a full-out excursion can usually result in disappointment when one or both children (and even my wife) decide that what Dad thinks is a rip-roaring good time is an absolute drag.  Therefore, before taking on a day-long trip, we spent a few hours paddling the canoe and a small kayak up river.  It went well enough, but I realized that the girls would be bored sitting in a canoe for an entire day.  So, I invested in a couple of tubes so they could each be in control of their own "craft".

The following day we did Storyland.  Mainly because I couldn't go another day being hounded with inquiries of when we were going.  I have to admit that I actually had a good time.  So, with the inevitable behind us, we took to the river for a longer excursion, the day after.  This schedule turned out to be a good plan since, not only were the girls now less focused on the amusement park, the day to be spent on the water ended up being nearly 100 degrees (not a day to be in the park).

Prior to taking to the river, I threw my bike on the back of the Jeep and drove to our planned take-out at the public beach off of River Street, where I left the vehicle and rode my bike back to the cottage.  At first the late spring water seemed chilly.  However, it wasn't long before the tubes became the preferable mode of transport since the air was so unbearably hot.  With two in the inflatable boat, it became more like a bathtub of sweat.

To maintain tradition, we took our time and stopped frequently to explore the beaches and swim.  An extended lunch was had on a large spit of sand, followed by frolicking in the water and jumping off of rocks.  Once back on the water, the girls decided they preferred being in the water to on top of it, so clung onto the sides of tubes or swam along side.

All in all, it was a relaxing and uneventful trip that all enjoyed.  It wasn't quite the same as my childhood, but I discovered that there was still good family fun to be had on the Saco if you experience it before the summer crowds over-run it.