"At bedtime, the tent smells damp and the
ground is rocky, far, far away from any bed.
Rowan's achy and itchy and all tangled up
in his sleeping bag.
Worst of all, he had to leave Big Cuddles
at home."
Mom and Mama have a grand adventure planned for Rowan. They are taking him canoe camping far from home. Where they are going, the wilderness is unlike anything he has ever seen or any place he has ever been. Once their canoe is loaded, the three take their places and the rowing begins.
There is much to see as they navigate the waters. It isn't long until Rowan is helping with his own oar. Their first portage offers many wondrous sights, adding to the excitement he is feeling about this brand new experience. As happens, it isn't long until Rowan is wondering when they will get where they are going. His moms explain there is one more portage and one more lake.
Once at the campsite, the hard work of setting up camp begins. A swim in the cold lake doesn't make him feel better. Luckily, it's soon dinner time. Even that comes with feeling so far removed from home and its amenities. When they hang their food high in a tree and talk about bears, Rowan's concern grows. He wants to go home. Making their way outside the tent at bedtime helps him understand why they have made this trip ... so far, far away from the city lights and urban noise. What wonder they see where they are now!
In back matter, canoe camping is explained and an author's note describes her experiences at summer camps in the BWCA of northern Minnesota.
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