The Greatest Mac & Cheese in Years!

It could be the smooth voice of Chet Baker crooning in the background, or the fact that the bourbon has been poured freely tonight, but I’m feeling pretty great. And, I think I should. Today was another great day. I just returned from the comfort station, having put our clothes in the dryer for just a bit longer to ensure they are thoroughly dried. On my walk back, I elected to not turn on my headlamp. Instead, I meandered down the campground road, taking in the sounds of people quietly murmuring at their campfires, enveloped by the smells of campfires, citronella torches, and the great outdoors. Aside from the seemingly obligatory fool that has a giant bug zapper, with a light so bright that it surely attracts more insects than it could possibly kill, it is a calm and quiet environment (admittedly, it was a tad quieter walk home from baseball in Chesley). I am briefly tempted to grab my fishing rod and to head to the dock to fish for catfish – or better yet, a late night rainbow trout, like I caught one night on my honeymoon! – but the fireflies catch my attention, as they dance in the grass outside the trailer, and I make my way back to finish prepping for tomorrow. I am tempted to capture a picture of the girls as they sleep, utterly exhausted by the day.

Today ran smoothly. The kids didn’t sleep in quite so late, and they enjoyed playing in the park while I packed up the trailer. We left Kakabeka Falls around 10:30, and made it handily to Rushing River by 5 pm (of course, I gained an hour, so by 6 pm EST). As this was my earliest arrival time, it was great to get some chores done that I had otherwise neglected. For example, many moons ago I adopted a habit of airing out my sleeping bag every day I could on camping trips. It helped prevent that ever-present damp feeling that seems to accompany any prolonged stay in a tent – or trailer, as I’m discovering. The weather, bugs, or time hasn’t always allowed for this important task, so I was grateful to be able to air out the blankets, sleeping bags, and sheets tonight. I was especially grateful given that I really thought we’d be setting up in the rain tonight. It rained quite a bit during the drive today – and despite threatening rain clouds, it has remained dry thus far. I’ve lucked out in that all the rain has been whilst in transit, leaving the setting-up and taking-down parts of my trip dry.

Today, the iPad and David Attenborough assisted me for a bit. There has been very little of this, and much more colouring and playing!

Wanting to air the bedding out did present one challenge, however. As I wanted to air the bedding prior to the inevitable rain – which has yet to arrive – I neglected making dinner until all bedding was hung. Given the time change, I was pushing the girls for another late dinner. So, after the bedding was hung on the ropes with care, I quickly broke out the Coleman stove and started making macaroni and cheese. Having been cooped up for days in a car, and with little bugs out to annoy them, the girls were a bit excited and were hopping about the campsite, leaving me constantly reigning them in. But, can I really blame them for letting loose – seriously, these kids have hardly had any issues this entire trip; no fights and few arguments, and those that did occur lasted mere moments; today witnessed a solid hour and a half of friendly and funny Playmobil entertainment (I heard Marley’s Playmobil animal try, in vain, to court Jordan’s!). Anyhow, I was feeling a bit rushed – as we also hoped to go fishing on the docks. So, foolishly, I just set up on the picnic table. Next time I’ll check to see if the table is at least relatively level. As I was stirring my sauce, my pot slipped right off the burner, leaving a cheesy, saucy mess all over the table and ground. It was a tad annoying. Thankfully, nobody was burned. Rather than start over, given that the noodles were nearly done, I simply added more milk and cheese.

A chipmunk that was interested in my spilled sauce and my saucy girls.

Yup, as you guessed, it wasn’t my greatest macaroni and cheese. In fact, it really sucked. The sauce, which I normally do a pretty good job on, was watery, and wouldn’t cling to the noodles. Had the girls not had the benefits of sporks, they would have been reduced to using spoons. SPOONS! The horror. Dinner was an utter disaster, as far as I was concerned. It didn’t even taste that good.

And this is why I especially love my kids. While I was filling our jug with water for dishes, Jordan made a point of running down to me to proclaim that it was the best macaroni and cheese she had had in years. Years!!! Throughout dinner Jordan, Marley and Evelyn all proclaimed an undying love for dinner.

Although my little girls are obviously liars, I appreciated how hard they tried to make me feel better. Tonight the bourbon poured freely because I’m was starting to feel the effects of the last few days. Little things can easily become big things. Everything has been going great, but it has come at some cost. I constantly am running about doing things, watching for moose, wiping hands, entertaining kids, passing colouring….. I have enjoyed every moment, thoroughly, but I am a pot of spilled mac and cheese sauce away from utter despair. Perhaps the kids know that – Jordan did thank me tonight for doing so much to make this trip special. I’ve also tried especially hard not to get too frustrated, like when Marley pretends to be a vampire with her apple sauce, dripping it all over her pajamas. And, importantly, when I do loose my grip a bit, I am quick to make amends, and apologize to the girls.

This is why tonight’s short walk back was so grand. I was actually relaxing a bit. Tomorrow will see more of the same, as it is an easy day. Less than three hours of driving, so no rushing out in the morning (pancakes and bacon for breakfast), and no need to wake up the girls to pack the trailer. Just an easy paced day. In fact, we plan to go fishing again tomorrow morning – hopefully the girls catch something.

Today was also a memorable day for another reason. I was torn about what route to take – highway 17 or highway 11, also known as Mother’s Way. I love the southern route (hwy 11), as it has some great fishing holes, and goes past Quieteco. Every time I pass this park I think, ‘perhaps next year!’. I put it to a vote, which resolved nothing. Eventually, I elected to go the southern route. I am glad I did. Of the many lakes I’ve fished over the years on my trips across country, Naobi lake is one of my favourites. This is hardly surprising, given that I pulled out a 33” pike in 2010 from shore, while fishing with Isaac. I’ve included that picture here as I am still proud of that fish, one of my biggest ever, and without question the biggest I’ve ever caught from shore!

As I prepared for this trip, I thought of stopping at Naobi. I know that it can be fished from shore easily with kids. As we got closer, I got more excited. So excited, in fact, that I got my fishing rod out briefly. I quickly realized that this would probably not be a great idea, and instead headed out armed with three kid sized rods, and a carton of worms.

The first few minutes were uneventful. Fishing with kids can be challenging. They don’t always get the patience part, or even what is going on. For example, today, as we fished from the docks at our campground, Evelyn was convinced she caught the worm. Anyhow, I changed our location and was quickly ecstatic to discover that Marley caught a small bass. Everyone was delighted.

Marley and the first fish!

I love that my girls get excited about fishing. It is, without question, my favourite activity. I have long dreamed of fishing with my girls. Today, even for those first few minutes when only the wind bite at their lines, I was on cloud nine, fishing with my girls.

Then, this:

14" Smallmouth Bass

That’s right, Jordan caught a 14” smallmouth bass. It was fantastic to watch her excitement as she tried to real in a fish that was fighting, and taking line. As I wanted a fishing rod for each kid, Evelyn inherited Jordan’s Barbie rod and Jordan was using one my ice fishing rods. It was so much fun for me to watch Jordan reel in a big bass on a real rod, to see the sheer excitement and joy on her face. I was also extremely proud that Marley and Evelyn were not jealous, but overjoyed by Jordan’s success (mind you, Marley would still insist she caught the first fish!). Isaac, I dealt with the fish Lars Monsen style, which seemed to upset Evelyn (I don’t have a link, as I’m travelling, but Google Lars Monsen and killing fish, and I’m sure you’ll find something.) Tonight, I filleted the fish, which provided an interesting opportunity for discussing the reality of where meat comes from, etc. Marley mostly wanted me to cut out the fish’s eyes. Tomorrow, I plan to fry some fish with breakfast. I was happy to know that the girls all were excited to go fishing again at the campground, and despite catching nothing (well, they didn’t – I caught a small bass, which was fun as there was seven other people fishing at that time, and unless they caught fish after we left, I was the only one to actually catch something tonight!), they all want to fish tomorrow.

After fishing, we had a campfire, made marshmallows, had showers, did some laundry, and enjoyed the fireflies. A great day, by any standards. A day I’ll never forget, by fishing with my girls standards.

Fishing at Rushing River's docks.

Oh, one more thing. Jordan decided yesterday to cut her bangs… herself. I guess they were a bit too long. I noticed yesterday morning as she undid her braids and brushed her hair, but it wasn’t until this morning that I noticed the rather awkward and uneven trimming. I fixed it somewhat, but it will require better skills (and scissors) than presently available.

In the moment, I didn’t think to take a picture of Jordan’s work, so I cannot show you here (scan the previous posted pictures, perhaps you’ll notice there). On reflection, I’m glad I didn't immortalize Jordan’s mistake. Her hair will grow back, and I will one day again master mac and cheese. It seems to me that parents are always quick to immortalize the mistakes of their kids – mostly through pictures, but also through blogs! – without thinking about how the kids feel. Jordan feels sheepish for cutting her own bangs, so why make her feel worse by showing all of you her poor hair-dressing skills.

The time-honoured tradition of brushing your teeth into the fire pit.

There is not need for a picture of Jordan’s forgivable mistake - why focus on what went wrong today, when so much has gone right. Today I had a fantastic day fishing with three of my four favourite girls.

I'll remember this smile and excitement for years to come!