Daddy’s Backbreaker

Recently, I have had a strong desire to venture out on the water in our canoe which  has just been sitting on our back deck for the last year with squirrels running inside and on top of it.  So, my husband graciously agreed to pack us all up along with all of our equipment and essential supplies and drive us all to Swift Creek at Pocahontas State Park.  It is a huge job and I truly appreciate all his hard work.  May Allah reward him with Jennah.  Ameen.

Another reason for taking the small crafts out was for  Hannah (10) and Jamilah (8) to practice their paddling skills.  They did well for awhile but weren’t working together enough so they started going in circles.  My husband ended up towing them for most of the trip.   I also got to ride along and enjoy myself in the canoe this time with Isa(5 months) and the three other girls.  In all he paddled 7 of us up the creek and back in 90 degree heat!  He truly made it look so easy too, maashaa Allah.

Yahya(12) was the only one who was able to paddle himself the whole trip. He is very competitive and made it into a competition between him and his father (which his father wasn’t even aware of) and was very upset when he wasn’t able to beat him despite the heavy load my husband was pulling.

Along the way we did get to catch a glimpse of some wildlife such as turtles sunning themselves and a great blue heron which looked like a stick coming up from a fallen log.  I was also grateful to capture a shot of a beaver’s lodge as well as a lotus flower which is in bloom this time of year.

And even after all of that, he took us on a hike through the woods before reloading and having to drive home (it was 70 miles round trip).  I couldn’t ask for a better husband nor could my children want for a better father.  May Allah preserve him and bless him for his efforts with his family.  Ameen.

Photoblogging Projects

For the last couple of weeks, Hannah (10) and Jamilah (8) have been diligently working on hobby projects.  Hannah researched the history of canoeing, drawing, and pin/patch collecting.  Jamilah researched the history of knitting, audiobooks, and postcard collecting.  They also created visual aids to go along with their presentation.   We all learned a great deal while exploring these topics and they also put much time and extra effort into their completion, maashaa Allah. 

 

Yahya also has been busy completing a woodworking project at school.  He made a lockbox, maashaa Allah.  He has also been knitting baby hats for this classmates as for some reason they thought the hats were really cool. 

 

Insha Allah, we are planning on continuing with more projects this summer.

Airing it Out

Over this long weekend, my husband has been home from work and we have taken advantage of the lovely weather by getting some exercise outside, alhamdulillah.   I usually don’t accompany my husband and son on their frisbee golf rounds, but we decided to take the whole family out and spend some time together.

We enjoyed the scenery and got a chance to stretch our legs while my husband  played frisbee golf.  This particular  18 hole frisbee golf course is located in a 100 yr. old park. 

The playground at this park isn’t very modern, but the children really like it anyway.  I think it’s because of  the tall slide, line of swings, and the rocking horse equipment. 

On another outdoor excursion, we paddled back to the same swimming hole that we visited last month.  We were blessed to continue to have the island to ourselves, maashaa Allah.  It isn’t accessible except by small craft.  Everyone’s legs are now sore from walking upstream against the current in order to float back down. 

Hauling driftwood to make a raft was also great exercise.

Alhamdulillah, the raft floated!

Currently, the family is resting from the adventures of the last couple of days as we plan for the adventures of the upcoming week.

First Dip of the Season

Paddling upstream into the wind blowing about 5 knots, I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to make it to the island in the middle of the James.  Alhamdulillah, after my husband hooked my kayak up to his canoe and towed us the rest of the way, we made it to our destination and the children romped around in the chilly water and explored the island.  Over the course of a year since we had visited,  a lot of sediment  had flowed downstream and our little swimming hole had filled in considerably.   They were able to stand in places that they weren’t able to last year. 

Freshwater mussel

We found a Canada goose nest and broken eggs, maashaa Allah.  I was really surprised how large their eggs are.

 

Kayaking back to the launch was much easier since it was downstream, although you still have to be cautious of the humongous underwater rocks.   Most canoeists and kayakers paddle downstream and are picked up at another spot farther down the James, but  we are just grateful to have the opportunity to be able to get out on the river, alhamdulillah.

River City Rock Hoppers

Originally, we had planned to visit the Belle Isle part of the James River Park System in the city of Richmond as a  science field trip to examine the huge rocks in the earth.  Allah is the best of planners and due to construction and a closed parking lot, we ventured over to the south side of the river to explore instead.

Rock Hoppers

Make Shift Bridge

My husband assisted the children out onto to the rocks for a first hand experience at examining the igneous granite.  It was a little treacherous at times, masha Allah.

  

 

 

 

 

The erosion in the park was also very obvious as seen with this hole in the rock.

Erosion evidence

Not only did we study the geology of the area, but the biology as well.

Autumn flowers in bloom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also a living history exhibit as well to investigate, alhamdulillah.

White Oak Canoe

The huge log was in the process of becoming a Powhatan Indian style canoe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is truly a blessing from Allah to have access to these free community homeschooling resources right in our backyard, alhamdillah.

 

Autumn at Lake Anna State Park

 

Fall Foliage at Lake Anna State Park

 

The weather was a bit overcast and chilly, but quickly became sunny and enjoyable as we journeyed to Lake Anna State Park to explore this water-oriented state park for the first time.  We were delighted to have visited in the autumn as it is  very popular with those who love water sports  in the summer.  So, for us the park was almost deserted and we were able to enjoy ourselves with much privacy, alhamdulillah.

Deserted beach

 So, they were able to wade and frolic in the water and enjoy themselves as the water temperature was still warm enough, alhamdulillah.

It was a good thing that I had brought a few extra clothes along for them to change into because they got soaked, masha Allah.

Washing Up

One of the highlights of the trip for me was spotting a bald eagle.  This was the first time most of us had seen one before in its natural habitat.  

Bald Eagle

Also, I found watching the waves as they came ashore from the wake of a motor boat to  be  a very peaceful and reassuring sight as well as sound, masha Allah.

Waves upon the shore

My four year old found the “pink” grass dancing in the wind very intriguing.

Pink grass

This state park is just fantastic this time of year especially if you like water oriented activities less the crowds.  When I asked my husband where all the people were, he reminded me that summer was over and it now is football season!

Fun, Sun, and Lots of Learning

Crossing the Rappahanock River entering the Northern Neck

This past week we traveled to the Northern Neck of Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay to visit family and explore the area.   I grew up across the Rappahanock River in the Middle Peninsula, but frequently traveled all over that region in my younger years.   

We make the yearly trek at the same time as  the Junior Ranger camp at Belle Isle State Park.  This year the theme was “Junior Rangers All Wet.”   Our three oldest children studied about water and the Chesapeake Bay watershed through arts and crafts, games, functional projects, and other hands-on learning activities, masha Allah. 

Old sink oyster reef

Fish printing

Seining

 They caught some minnows, jellyfish, a silverback, and a baby bluefish. 

Learning the proper way to hold a crab

While the older children were at camp in the morning, the little ones and I also did some exploring, masha Allah.   There aren’t any public beaches in the area except for the state park, but we were able to go beach-combing on a neighbor’s property.  They had their own little nature camp that morning. 

 

 

In addition to the camp, we went birding on kayak and canoe and spotted several species of birds in the marshes and coves that we had never seen before, subhannallah!

Green Heron (juvenile)

The boys also went out fishing and were very successful coming back with four Spanish Mackerel and one Bluefish which we ate for dinner, alhamdulillah.

Reeling in a Bluefish

It was lovely time spending time with family and at the same time learning about the Northern Neck.  Even being from the area, I rediscovered as well as learned many new things on this trip, alhamdulillah. 

What a magnificent sunset on the last night of the trip, subhannallah!  Insha Allah, until next year.

Be sure to check out more pictures of the trip here.

Our Own Private Swimming Hole

 

 

Huguenot Flatwater

 

 

 

Beached

After paddling for a little while upstream from Huguenot Flatwater canoe launch, we came to an island in the middle of the James River where we beached the boats.  Since this island is only accessible by water, there aren’t the usual crowds that exist in other areas of the James River Park System.  The island was remarkably clean, masha Allah.

Then the children ate lunch, prayed the midday prayer (Dhuhr salat), and went swimming, masha Allah.

Making the midday prayer

The children wanted to remove their life jackets, but the current was too strong for them to go without one.

Little girls in the river

 The bottom of the river was not even mushy, but firm and rocky.  I hate mushy bottoms!

rocky river bed

Also, for those of you who are local,  there are canoe/kayak rental companies that will meet you with the rental boats at Huguenot Flatwater’s canoe launch which is located right under the Huguenot Bridge.  These companies advertise their services on craigslist.

South of the James River

This summer we have been spending a good amount of time south of the James, masha Allah.   There aren’t any spots in western Henrico to canoe, therefore we are finding more on the southside.  Today, the children and I scouted out Robious Landing Park which is right off the Huguenot Trail exit on 288.  The Virginia Byways are always very scenic with tons of farmland, sheep, cows, and horses.   This always helps the car ride seem much shorter, alhamdulillah.   

Robious Landing Canoe Launch

So, the canoe launch to the James River at Robious Landing was easily accessible, clean, and quiet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The river looked calm and low, but after speaking with some boaters that frequent the river from this access point, I don’t think I am quite ready to row upstream going against the current, insha Allah.    One lady said that she wouldn’t even try to get in before mid July though as apparently, the current has slowed some. 

James River @ Robious Landing Park

It doesn’t look like there is a strong current, does it?

Four Mile Creek

Four  Mile Creek at Deep Bottom Park in eastern Henrico Co. was fabulous, alhamdulillah!   The habitat was very peaceful and serene!

 

 

 

 

 

Path to the canoe launch

 We forgot the canoe carrier, so my husband had to hike the canoe on his back all the way to the canoe launch, subhanallah.

Canoe launch

The canoe launch at Deep Bottom Park was a little different than the rest of the canoe launches we have seen.  This one was a floating dock which made it a little more of a challenge for everyone to board the boats.

Also, this creek has more wetlands (nooks and crannies) to explore than other creeks and lakes we have traveled.

Zebra Swallowtail

The park was full of flying insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, masha Allah.  Painted Lady Butterflies were even following us in the boats as well as landing on our clothes!

Great Blue Heron feather

We saw several Great Blue Herons,  Great Egrets, and a Red Tailed Hawk.

Great Egret

Click here to see more pictures from Four Mile Creek.