We went canoeing.
It was a nice day — not too hot— and we needed some Vitamin D. So we packed up Veronica's car and headed to Village Creek in Lumberton, Texas to get on the water. We used Eastex Canoes, so the first place we pulled up was a small blue house fronted by racks of canoes, Longhorns memorabilia and outdoor gear. We rang the bell, where a genial man came out and took our order (two two-person canoes, please).
He took our money — it's something like $50, and you get to keep the canoes until 6 p.m. It's a flat rate. The earlier you get there, the longer you get to use the canoes. They also rent kayaks.
While we were paying, Paige noticed a plastic lizard sat atop some watertight containers for phones.
"So is the plastic lizard for sale?" she asked.
"No," he explained — the lizard's name is Gator, and he's there "to deter shoplifters."
I didn't think he looked very fearsome but kept that particular opinion to myself.
For a few minutes, anyway.
"So what happens if someone shoplifts the lizard?" I asked, because apparently I have no social filter. He stared at me for a minute but didn't really reply. After he left, Paige turned to me and said, "This is Southeast Texas. They probably have GUNS."
And I was like, "Oh."
So, partially because I felt guilty and needed to redeem myself to the canoe salesguy, and partially because I really did want a watertight container for my phone, when he came back, I asked if he took debit cards. He said yes. My debit card was in the car. I went to get it, but by the time I returned, he was gone.
Paige and I waited for him for a few more minutes, but then we noticed the facility's truck pulling out with our canoe. Shit. We ran back to the car to catch up with the canoe toter. Who probably thought we were shoplifting.
So we dropped off the car to the endpoint and hitched a ride with our outfitter and our canoes to the starting point. He helpfully loaded our canoes in the water and distributed paddles, and we were off.
We had a great time. You canoe for a couple of miles (4 or 5) until you reach a concrete boat ramp, which means your adventure is over unless you want to go for another seven miles.
Bring snacks and drinks (alcoholic beverages allowed as long as they're not in glass containers) because you will get hungry and canoeing is thirsty work. Along the route, there are several large sandbars where you can stop. On one, we noticed a skillfully constructed um, leaf structure (?). We stopped and took pictures.
It was a really good day. I only warn you: make sure the water's not too low. There are a bunch of downed trees on the route that make the passage next to shallow water unhelpfully narrow. We had to get out and unstick our canoe once or twice, but never had to portage around sandbars. That might change with a low water level.
Anyway:
I think there's a moral in here somewhere, like family is awesome and being outside is good for you in more ways than one, but really, I just wanted to let everyone know I didn't shoplift from the canoe people.
I didn't shoplift anything, canoe people.
(Protip: if you bring alcohol, save a cold can for your outfitter. He or she will appreciate it.)
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