Bon Echo

Hi everyone. I've posted a few pics from my Bon Echo camping trip. Hope you enjoy ...

Camping and stuff.

I hate using mosquito repellents when I go camping. It just seems like cheating and besides, isn't the point of camping to get away from all these things?? (me)

"Yeah, I guess so. I've heard lavender works well. I mean, I've heard it's a natural alternative." (friend)

Hmm, I like things that are natural ... and alternatives.

"You can even buy sunscreen with this stuff too. Double purpose you know."

Interesting, maybe I'll give it a shot. You're a pal. I don't know what I'd do without you.

--------------------

Well, one thing is for sure, I definitely wouldn't have got 32 mosquito bites without you. Warning everyone - lavender sunscreen is not a natural repellent and doesn't work. After a 2.5 hour hike, my face was left slightly disfigured and riddled with bites. Everywhere I applied sunscreen was attacked mercilessly.

Aside from the hiking massacre, the trip was a hit. We went to Bon Echo provencial park and stayed at a campsite right next to Mazinah Lake. The water is fresh, the cliffs are monumental and the scenary is breathtaking. Having said that, the part I like best is the people. For some reason, I find campers to be the most friendly. Maybe it's more of a solidarity thing. I suppose it's hard not to like people who like what you like. Did I forget to mention the word 'like'?

We canoed, kayaked and even did a little rock climbing. It was still a little too cold for swimming but I took a quick dip anyhow. (Sigh) --- I feel great and very grounded at the moment (ouch, no pun intended). If you've never gone camping before, get out there and try it. If you've already gone before, then what are you waiting for?

(pics will be up in a few days)

day with the in-laws.

my fiancée's cousin just gave birth to a healthy baby boy but happens to live 500 km away (from my fiancée that is). i just so happen to lie somewhere in the middle so on their way there, they picked me up and was there for the long haul. now don't misunderstand me, the in-laws are great. we get along super well and i love them to bits, but being in a long distance relationship, well you know what they say ... two is company.

anyway, you know, we did all that family stuff (which i enjoy) but at the end, when we were all tired and had been driving around for way too long and should've been totally irritated with one another - that's when something magical happened ... we connected. and i mean all of us. like one of those moments you see in tv where everyone's happy, smiling, laughing and in love ... magic. I truly feel fortunate to have had this day. I am honoured to be apart of this family. And I am completely and utterly in love.