I disrupted my kids’ lives with more than divorce.

As part of reclaiming me after that experience, we moved to Saskatoon, so I could get a graduate degree in law.

I remember a day in our apartment in the university’s family residence. My son announced he wanted to canoe to Grey Owl’s Cabin in Prince Albert National Park. I said we could.

Change Rooms, Waskesiu Beach, Prince Albert National Park

Grey Owl had been born in England and became a famous conservationist. He lived in a cabin in Prince Albert National Park between 1931 - 1938. His followers believed he was First Nations until after his death in 1938.

My son had learned about Grey Owl at school, and wanted to canoe to his cabin. I thought it was a good idea and did some research. I learned canoeing wasn’t recommended because the water level in Kingsmere Lake was too low, as changes had been made to a dam. Walking 20 km (12 miles) one way with an 11 year old seemed insurmountable.

We decided to wait.

Then I got sick. I didn’t think I could do it.

We stopped discussing it. Grey Owl’s Cabin was in the dust heap of our dreams.

Then late last fall my son, now age 22, said, “Mom, I’m leaving home in late May. I want to canoe to Grey Owl’s Cabin before I go.”

What could I do? I said, “I better start training.” I remembered it was a 20 kilometre trip, one way. I was out of shape.

I started training. This included push-ups (if you want to see images, send me an email at kim@kimkorven.com).

My son celebrated his 23rd birthday at Grey Owl’s Cabin. Survived sleeping in a tent without a sleeping mat when the temperature dropped to 4 Celsius. It felt great to wake up in the morning. I was alive!!!

It was great to be with him. And with his step-dad (he’s had more experience outdoors than us, so we thought it was prudent to bring him along in the wilderness).

I’m sharing some of the photos from our trip.

This is a reminder: parents will do anyting for our children. Also, parents … we can do more than we think we can. All it takes is a good reason.