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| The Peugeot Saint Laurent, my commuter bike, is perfect for a quick bike overnight. |
We are lucky to live a two-mile ride from - along a stellar lakefront rail trail, no less - our cozy camp on Lake Champlain. It's a spot that holds family memories, the best place to relax on breezy summer days, accompanied with refreshing lake dips. There's nothing better than sipping a cold drink while relaxing in cushioned deck chairs, then later on, marveling at beautiful sunsets - in short, the camp and its view are a treasure!
I have mentioned staying at camp in the autumn, and a fun family ride for a coffeeneuring outing, plus errands - all when we lived 6 miles away, through a maze of tight neighborhoods, near a busy university and hospital. Fast forward to 2020, relocating closer to the lake, getting settled, then enduring a record-breaking hot summer. I lost interest in visiting this family residence. Looking back, it was a period of major transition, and our perceptive youngest son said something that hit home: camp for him meant hanging out with friends and family, not encouraged in 2020. Certainly, a rollercoaster year we'd all like to put behind us.
In 2021, vaccines are making family events look promising. I have renewed interest in this amazing spot, even though we reside near water. It's been by far, best to eat dinner at home, pack a few necessities in panniers, then pedal 20 minutes to camp. We eat breakfast with a view of the lake, then return to work from home. I have packing down to a science, filling two small panniers. I schlep all belongings back and forth, lending freedom based on weather or mood.
I can't think of an easier bike overnight, and yet so worth it!
I am grateful to see enthusiasm for outings like this. Not only enthusiasm, but skillful Implementation. Folks who enjoy the outdoors and find creative ways to maximize the experience are my kind of folks. Bravo! ...and thank you!
ReplyDeleteI feel very fortunate to now live close to this comfortable spot. I'm trying to enlist another family member to pedal there for girls night out evening.
DeletePre pandemic Sue and I liked to go out to dinner two or three times a week. For fourteen months we watched our bank account grow because we were saving around $200/week. Over that time I taught myself to become a very good cook, realizing that I can do better than most restaurants.
ReplyDeleteEating out will be a treat from now on. Bringing our own food while biking or camping is so much better.
I think we all learned a thing or two during this pandemic: Resilience (I lost my job), we can still keep in touch with friends (online, phone calls, and masked outdoor gatherings), and new hobbies - for me that was getting serious about daily yoga practice. I put my energies towards sprucing up our new home.
DeleteHow nice to have a go to spot like this that doesn't take a lot of time, preparation etc...
ReplyDeleteYes, very thankful for our camp (a comfortable cottage).
DeleteA good idea.
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