The View From Here – Making Time For Memories

I’m back from an incredible couple of days away feeling refreshed and renewed and I blame the s’mores with the extra large marshmallows for the extra weight.  (smile)

We went camping this weekend and had so much fun.  And by fun I mean rest and doing nothing.  Just like a good vacation should be.  

We got to the Pinery on Saturday, set up camp and took in the sights.  The Pinery is a beautiful campground.  We were surrounded by trees and even if the park was full, we had our own space.  I don’t know what kind of camper/ vactioner YOU are, but I like to keep to myself.  I like time to sit and read, take in the beauty of nature, and just be still and quiet.  I love to sit and watch the campfire burn and eat too much food.

I will say that tenting gets a little more challenging the older I get.  My old lady bones appreciated the mattress, but it was still a challenge, and entertaining for anyone walking by to see me get in or out of the tent. (smile)

We cooked over the fire, enjoyed a few s’mores (how can you not?), walked the trails, and enjoyed a sunset on the beach.   I stayed up later than anyone else, and loved surprising my kids with my very own shadow puppet show on their tent.  I don’t know who laughed more.  Me or them.  It’s the simple things, right?  The sillies of things that bring the biggest laughs and the most memories.

Sunday morning we went to the Pinery Antique Flea Market and I found a treasure of sorts in the vinyl collections.  An old record.  That took me back to my teenage years.  The album?  Cats Can Fly.  I know, I know.  You might not even know who they are.  But I remember them because they are one of the very first shows I ever saw.  IN THEDFORD!  At the arena.  We moved to Thedford when I was at the end of grade eight.  I was just getting to know people.  Make friends.  And I remember getting all dressed up to go to this concert in Thedford.  I may have bought a t-shirt.  It was a BIG DEAL.  (smile).  Last week we were talking about our first favourite bands, the one that stuck with us.  I’m not sure what happened to Cats Can Fly.  I’m sure a Google search might help answer that.  But it was one of the very first live shows I ever went to and I remember it so well.  

It was a great weekend away with lots of amazing memories and lots of rest – which I think we all need from time to time.  Time to get away from all of it.  The busyness of life.  Work.  Chores. Errands.  Adult responsibility.  No social media.  No internet.

What does an ideal vacation look like to YOU?   What have you done with your summer?  Where have you gone?  What have you discovered?  Even if it’s in our own backyard.

Let me know – email anytime cbuchanan@blackburnmedia.ca

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan