Finding family-friendly destinations that offer something for everyone is difficult. Someone always has to compromise. But at Bennett Lake in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, there is something for everyone. Kayaking, canoeing and paddle boating, hiking trails, swimming, and barbecuing are part of the experience at Bennett Lake. My in-laws, Darren, Athena, and I all found something fun to do today at the lake.
Athena is always happiest when she’s in the water. She likes a pool the most because it’s calm and warm, but today was her first experience in a lake. The gentle waves lapsed over her feet and the sand felt soft between her toes. It was the perfect temperature to cool her off without giving her a chill. Someone offered her a bucket and pail to play with and she was in Heaven. She played with Daddy and Grandpy for an hour while Nanny and I went to kayak the lake.
We rented a double kayak for $15 for the hour. Wendy, my mother-in-law, has only been in a kayak once before but she’s in great physical shape and she moved us more quickly than I expected. It always amazing me how agile and strong she is. She’s my mother-in-law and she is in better shape than I am. Regardless, we had a beautiful afternoon paddling and splashing each other. We’re comfortable enough together that the silences aren’t awkward yet we can talk for hours without running out of things to say.
We paddled the entire lake in 40 minutes and stopped for several photos along the way. I noticed Athena, my father-in-law, and Darren playing in the water. I could hear her giggling from the kayak and my heart was filled with joy. I was on the lake with Wendy, Athena was blissful in the water, and Darren and Len (my father-in-law) were spending time together. In those moments, I couldn’t think of anything else that I wanted in life. I was completely content.
After returning the kayak, we stayed at the beach long enough to utterly exhaust Athena. Her sleepy eyes were are indicator when it was time to leave.
Any day on the water is a great day in my eyes but Bennett Lake offers so much more. Calm waters for children, boat rentals for the entire family, and plenty of spots to eat, rest, and play make Bennett lake calm enough for her; yet active enough for me.
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You are so fortunate to be able to expose Athena to all of these experiences with you.
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I think she will grow up very well rounded. I love that she will have exposure to different cultures and adventures. We are blessed 🙂
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It’s nice that you get along so well with your mother in law! Great photos and a happy post.
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Great photos! Athena will have a well documented childhood, mom! Soo adorable!
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I think it will be cool for her to be able to look back on this events from my perspective. Maybe someday she will do the same 🙂
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All your posts on NB are making we look forward to my next trip home to Miramichi to visit my family!
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When do you get to go home again?
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Love Salmon Fishing the Miramichi I must go back you two are making me miss NB 😦
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I am with Athena – love the water! Sounds like everyone had a great day out! Wonder how long til she will be paddling with you!
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It won’t be long now 😉 She’s so adventurous already. Like mother, like daughter 🙂
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Sounds like an absolutely perfect family day!
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It reminded us to spend a little more time with each other rather than technology. We’re working on the perfect balance. Being in New Brunswick has really helped with that. 🙂
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You live a life anybody would love to live! 🙂 Really nice photographs, too.
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Thank you! We talk about our ideal life regularly to keep everything in perspective. Then, we find out how to make it happen. It’s a beautiful way to live 🙂
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I can totally relate to days like these – when spent with those you love, doing the things you enjoy, knowing all are enjoying themselves brings about contentment. And $15 for a kayak… that’s good value.
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Sometimes it’s the simplest things that bring the most joy 🙂
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It’s funny reading of your adventures in the Maritimes since I know those places! Blogland can be a small world too!
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Where are you from?
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From everywhere it seems, I’ve moved a lot but I spent most of my childhood in the Maritimes.
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My gosh, with the life experiences Athena is having, she will always be a welcome guest anywhere she goes.
Sounds like a perfect family day!
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I’m hoping that she will be more understanding and accepting of cultures and experiences by being exposed to them throughout her life. She is already so outgoing. We are lucky to have such a great traveler at such a young age 🙂
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What a lucky girl. Athena will be well seasoned in a future world requiring it of her.
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“Any day on the water is a great day in my eyes..” I can’t agree more! great story, and nice pics.. If you think that finding something for everyone is tough now.. wait till you have teens in your house 🙂 I am looking forward to exploring your blog.. jt
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Thanks! I’m sure we’ll work at finding a balance of things for her and things for us. Do you have children?
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two from my first marriage.. and two step- daughters currently at home.. When my son was 13, I had the good fortune of spontaneously asking him if he would like to ride his bike across Georgia ( I had been researching bike tours and came across BRAG – bike ride across GA), and, without hesitating, he said ok.. So he and I drove from PA to GA and joined close to 2000 other cyclists on a week long 400 mile trip across the state.. it was a defining experience for him and for our relationship at that critical time. We met some wonderful people. The following year, we went again and took one of my students who happened to be his friend. And the year after that we took too other adults and their kids and my daughter joined us.. I believe that our responsibility as parents ( right behind providing a safe, nurturing environment at home) is to help them see as much of the world and to meet as many different people as possible before they leave the nest.. it sounds like that is in line with your philosophy as well! you certainly are off to a good start 🙂
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Adorable little lady you have there, my goodness those eyes!
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She’s gets them from her dad; I can’t take any credit there 😉
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What a great family time!!! I love your pictures!
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It was wonderful to spend the entire week in New Brunswick as a family. It’s not often that Darren can travel with us so we take advantage of every second when we can.
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LAKE TAHOE with its waters of every kind of blue sits on the Northern Cali/Nevada border and is my yearly destination–active yet serene. It has it all from hiking and boating during the day to shows and gambling at night.
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I’ve never been to Lake Tahoe but we talked about adding it to next year’s list. Where do you spend the rest of the year?
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We live 30 miles from Napa and an hour from San Francisco. A few hours north is Mt. Shasta and redwoods in Mendocino and south is the Monterey coastline. Yosemite is a great destination, too. It’s hard to find a place more beautiful than our own backyard. We take an occasional cruise now and then. Plan to travel up the coast and into Canada soon.
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This is why I love living in the Maritimes! Looks like you had a blast!
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Which province are you from? I’m from Nova Scotia originally, but my husband is from New Brunswick. We’ve lived all over. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your family trip experience well i do agree that find family travel destination is difficult.
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It does take a little extra planning but it’s possible to find places that are perfect for everyone. New Brunswick is a very family-focused destination. 🙂 Have you ever been?
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Looks like a wonderful place to visit with lots of different activities. Athena is beautiful!! Love seeing the photos!!! ~Sophia
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It is important for a man to get experiences and this is valid also for young kids. My son’s first great experience was when we flew in the seventies from Helsinki (Finland) to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) when he was only two years old.
I am happy that You offered to Athena this lovely experience!
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Looks a beautiful lake
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No wonder Athena smiles so much!
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How great that you are passing on your love of adventure and travel to Athena! She’s a very lucky little girl.
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I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Should you accept, please follow the link below. I enjoy visiting your blog and reading your work. Thank you!
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I forgot the link:
http://funlifequotes.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/versatile-blogger-award/
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One day, we will make it to the Maritimes!
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