Debs Journal: Roughing it

Roughing it means different things to different people. The daughter that planned this camping trip 'dumbed it down' for the little kids. Or maybe it was for me. Or maybe for her brother-in-law. All of us probably appreciated what she considered an 'easy' paddle and 'easy' portage to get to our campsite.
We all appreciated the 'surprise' of having a shed on site where we could store our food so the bears weren't as tempted and a primitive potty out in the bush. I wasn't looking forward to digging my own holes each time, so those were unexpected 'luxuries'.
I remind you that my last holiday was at Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Luxury takes on a different meaning when you've experienced places like that.
But compared to digging holes, the potty in the bush was a luxury. I knew my back wouldn't take sitting for long on rocks or buckets, so I asked for a chair. Hubby brought one for me, though he insisted he didn't need one. No one seemed disappointed though, that the tarp next to the shed covered a load of camping chairs. They were also used.
Highlights of the trip: the beauty of Ontario wilderness.

I really loved being on the water on the way there (I was sick on the way back, so that doesn't count.) I am generally quite fearful of water since I am not a swimmer. I really prayed that this wouldn't ruin the trip. It didn't. I found the canoes to be a restful place in spite of the hard work of paddling. (Probably only hard for those like me who do this once every decade or so.)
And best of all, spending time with the family. I love being anywhere they are, so I can put up with a few mosquitos and outdoor potties if I have to. (Okay, the outdoor potty is a bit of a stretch for me, and I don't look forward to that part of camping again anytime soon.) But it is a fact, that I would go almost anywhere to be with the grandkids. They are all very different, but so much fun! Here, Josiah was so excited to see Annika, that he got down on her level (crawling) to see her. Haley followed.