Back to Basics - Page 1
(My Practical and Economical Vacations)
Most people view vacations with great anticipation. Which relatives should we visit? What part of the country - or the world - do we want to see and experience? Some use vacation time to catch up on maintenance work around their home and property. Others, after working all year, like to just relax and do nothing.
For some, like me, vacations are a change from the normal everyday routine. Some people spend time in house trailers or cottages which have all the modern conveniences. But, if you have to carry all the comforts of home with you, isn't it just as well to stay home?
As a (divorced) single parent with two sons, and a part-time job, vacations were a luxury I could not afford. Both boys are now grown and working - Chris is a computer Program Manager, and Nick is a carpentry/mechanics/ welding/heavy equipment tradesman.
However, as they began to pursue their own interests and develop their own lives, I had more free time on my hands. So I got involved with community affairs. Pretty soon, the problem was that I no longer had time for a vacation!
I knew that wasn't a healthy situation and in 1995, I decided to take a break. I needed to get completely away from everything. So I planned a few days camping in a nearby provincial park. As my scheduled vacation drew closer I looked forward to it more and more.
Then, the hot dry weather we had been enjoying turned to rain and high humidity! Sure, we needed rain, for the ground was parched, but why now? Couldn't it have held off for another week or two? The prospect of spending a week confined to a tent that was set up on damp ground was not very appealing. Not to mention unsuitable conditions for writing.
My daughter-in-law, Valerie, came to the rescue. Her family owned a small cabin which was seldom used anymore. She felt certain that I could stay there as long as I wanted - and she was right! Hooray! Problem solved!
'Oh yes, you're welcome to use it,' I was told. Then, in a cautionary tone, 'It's not much of a place, mind, not wind proof, but the roof doesn't leak.' That was okay. It would still be better than a tent on damp ground, especially when it rained.
'There's no electricity, and no generator for power.' Fine by me. I've always thought kerosene lamps created a cosy, old-world kind of atmosphere. Could even be romantic, but that's another story.
'Uh... no bathroom facilities, either inside or outside.' No problem. My parents had a portable, chemical toilet which they'd used in a home-built trailer years ago. I could take that along with me.
My Journal ... Back to Basics, Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
© Fayz World & Sugarwolf Designs
Music: 'Dreams of Alwyn (Isle of Innisfree)'
|
|
|
|