Last week I went camping and did a whole lot of nothing much. My husband and children were thrilled.
My family knows camping isn’t my favourite activity, but I do it for them. I’ve even endured the dusty, loud campgrounds that packed us in like sardines in a can.
This time, though, we were at Haynes Point, a provincial park in Osoyoos, set up on a semi-secluded site right on the beach. It was absolutely gorgeous and a blissful relief.
My plan with our short trip was to relax and have fun, but still go for my long morning walks and get some inspired writing done every day. I accomplished my first two goals — chilling out and enjoying the outdoors — but every morning I slept in hours later than I usually do, and I left my iPad in its case.
I’d be lying if I said I was totally fine with that, because I actually felt a bit guilty.
“There’s a difference between relaxing and being lazy,” my husband said when I expressed my feelings of slothfulness. “It’s good for you to do nothing once in awhile.”
He’s probably right about that. It certainly felt like something I needed. But after four days of swimming, playing cards, reading magazines and drinking coolers, I was ready to return home. My husband, on the other hand, was eager to book another campsite.
“You want to go again?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes,” he replied. “I could do this every day of the summer.” I guess I could too if it was a necessity. Fortunately it’s not.
I truly loved our beautiful location and I had a fantastic time with our kids and their friends, but there were a few things I missed. One of them was electricity.
OK, so I know what you must be thinking: Wow, that Lori must have really been roughing it out there in the woods. Well, not really. I did sleep in a tent, but only because our motor home was too hot.
If my mom were still alive she would probably say an RV is just a hotel on wheels and not real camping. And I’d kind of agree with her. I remember what real camping was like from all the times we did it when I was a kid. But until I can order in room service and have the chambermaids visit the next day, I’ll continue to think of staying in a motor home as camping.
Another thing I missed was my bathroom. I didn’t mind shampooing in the lake and letting my hair dry in the sun, but I was looking forward to turning on a nice hot shower and plugging in my styling tools.
I was also anxious to get back to my enormous mess at home. Initially I was happy to escape it since I was in the middle of a basement overhaul and the clutter felt overwhelming. But once I’d had some time to unwind and take it easy, I felt eager to return and finish what I started.
Now that I’m back to my regular routine, I’m warming up to the idea of another camping trip before summer ends.
Another few days like the ones I just had would be nice. Electricity, running water and never-ending chores can wait.
Lori Welbourne is a syndicated columnist. She can be contacted at LoriWelbourne.com
