My Watermark is the Grand River.

I grew up in Paris, Ontario where the Ninth River empties into the Grand River at the Forks of the Grand. From the age of 4, I have spent numerous days on the Grand River canoeing, fishing, camping, swimming and hiking. Whether it was canoeing down the river with my sisters from Galt to Brant Park to camp, putting in the canoe at the Paris Dam to catch some bass or hiking the Grand Valley trail, I learned a lot on this waterway. I learned not just about the incredible ecosystem of this watershed, I also learned the rich history of this river and its importance to my hometown and the peoples that have lived here for the last millennia. I learned about myself, created memories with my family I will always cherish and regularly reminisce about. There is nothing better than putting in the canoe at 6 am, watching the mist rise from the river and paddling or floating down the river. Watching the Herons or the deer on the shore while excitedly getting ready for that next rapid you know is just around the bend. Yelling rock! or laughing as we float down the same rapid over and over again in our lifejackets.... I love the Grand River.