Monday, March 7, 2011

Me, Myself, and I

Kilby Park in Harrison Bay

Finally, I got some time to be by myself this weekend. It was my turn to take the van and go camping. I had planned to go on Friday afternoon but I had an appointment for a bone scan on the stupid foot that is still bothering me. So I set off on Saturday morning. I was heading to Sasquatch Provincial Park, just north of Harrison. Mark went up there a couple of weekends ago. I made great time, but to my dismay I arrived at Sasquatch to find snow on the ground and the gates to the park closed. As I drove up there I had noticed snow on the sides of the road, which was heavily salted. As I got closer to the Provincial Park it became apparent that there had been quite a large and recent snowfall, hence the closed gates. I was disappointed to put it mildly. My heart sank and I almost felt tears of dismay prick my eyes. It suddenly occurred to me just how much I had been looking forward to camping and how much I needed some time by myself.

I called Mark from Harrison and told him I was heading back, but that first I would check-out any other potential places to park the van. On my way out of Harrison. I drove past a couple of RV parks...ugh no, I was not THAT desperate. Lines of RV's and trailers parked in rows ridiculously close together, like sardines. I wanted some seclusion, not to be in closer proximity to complete strangers than I am on a typical day.

Peace and quiet...a relatively empty campsite
As I was driving I saw a sign on the side of the road to a place called Kilby Park. It appeared to have a campground. I decided to give it a go. I turned off the highway and drove through some picturesque farm land for a few kilometres until I arrived at a small park not far from an old Mill that is now a sort of tourist attraction. The campground is comprised of 12 neat sites on Harrison Bay. Under normal circumstances the sites would be too close and too open for me, but on this occasion the only other occupants were a couple at the other end of the campground. Another family came in later, but it was very quiet and I had a wonderful view.


It was fabulous to get some time alone. A real tonic. I built an almost non-stop fire and spent a good deal of time staring at the flames and rearranging logs. I had the best sleep I have had in years. The only downside was that it was just one night and, although great, it was just not long enough. Next time I will go for at least 2 nights. However, it was long enough for me to appreciate that I need to find more time to be by myself; recharge my batteries, enjoy my own company, bring home a different energy. Day to day life is so taken up with often mundane decisions and chores. As good as it is...I often feel like I am losing myself. Of course, it is all part and parcel of this busy life that we all seem to have forged for ourselves. Time spent thinking and not doing anything is considered time wasted. But I like to sit and think and that's what I spent most of my weekend doing; that and sleeping (with a bit of knitting and reading thrown in). Wonderful.

The view from the van on Sunday morning

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad that you got a chance to get away! Looked nice and secluded.

Wendy Flawn said...

Ahhh bliss!

Well done you.

I have left a couple of messages but they do not seem to have come up on your blog - sorry! Still love reading it.

Take care all.

Wxx