Monday, August 15, 2011

Just Us and the Waves

A camping trip on the shores of Lake Huron at Pinery Provincial Park has become a family summer tradition for us.  We began camping as a family four summers ago and this was our third summer at Pinery.  As a couple, Mike and I had always camped, usually at Algonquin Provincial Park, a place that from the moment I first saw it has been special, almost spiritual, to me.  Mike had even convinced me to do a back country canoe trip there many summers ago.  Quite a feat considering I had never canoed before then.  In Algonquin, one can experience almost true solitude in nature.  However, by the end of each trip, I had had my fill of dehydrated food and would have some serious cravings for potato chips.  (Yeh, I know.  After all that dehydrated food you were expecting me to say I wanted some fresh fruit and veggies.  Nope.  I wanted chips.  I think I was even chanting "Chips.  Chips"  with the last few paddle strokes of that canoe trip.)  Not so at Pinery.

The campgrounds at Pinery are more populated and the camping is easy.  You can easily have a large cone of ice cream each day at the ice cream hut.  No feelings of deprivation here.  Not much solitude either.  I sometimes saw Mike cringe at the number of people surrounding us.  (A natural born hermit, he may be.)  But the boys love it there and it wouldn't be summer for them without a trip to Pinery.  And who can blame them when this is what greets you once camp is set up.

  
It didn't take long for us all to fall in love with Lake Huron.  Mentally prepared for salt water, the first taste of fresh water is always a surprise.  The lake likes to pretend it is an ocean.  So do I.

The boys, especially Keegan, love the big waves that Lake Huron often offers.  On our first day, it was like the lake knew Keegan was coming and made the waves just for him.



More than the lake though, I love the time that this camping trip allows us to spend together, just the four of us.  No TV.  No video games.  No outside obligations.  No obligations to anyone but each other.

 

16 comments:

  1. love the pictures. Reading about Lake Huron reminds me of the days I lived in Michigan. Sounds like a really good vacation.

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  2. Oh wow- a lake with waves, that is strange! It all looks beautiful, I would love to go to Canada one day x

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  3. Beautiful Tara...I've been to Huron before it's gorgeous!! Sounds like a great vacation...I love it when there's a break from the everyday things like video games and tv...makes everyone step back and just enjoy their surroundings!!

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  4. Tara, it looks and sounds wonderful. I've only been to Lake Ontario, but have to say that those lakes sound enticing. I'm so glad you all had a super holiday!

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  5. Wow. It does pretend to be the ocean. Sounds like a wonderful time—restorative and full of recreation. The rock reminds me of your soap:) Speaking of, thank you:) Tomorrow's post may interest you.

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  6. Looks like the ocean to me.I love the rock.So glad you were able to spend some quality time like that with your family.

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  7. Hi Tara,

    Camping is a lot of fun, and it especially matters who you are with than where you are. That said, the photos really convey the splendor of nature. I'm sure you had a chance to replenish and rest there, and, I hope, not think of any obligations. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  8. Love your post and your photos Tara!

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  9. sounds like such a great escape for the whole family; your words and photos capture the love you obviously have for the place.

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  10. Beautiful pictures. And yes! No TV, no video games, etc. This is why I love camping - like you said, just being together.

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  11. gorgeous photos Tara! those 'lake waves are wild!
    I love your heart stone too!

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  12. looks and sounds wonderful! camping is the best :)

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  13. What a beautiful place for an escape. Those waves are amazing, I would have loved them just as much as Keegan. It's wonderful that you had such a special time together.
    Jx

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  14. mmmm. those last sentiments make me look forward to camping one day with my family. but, i bet you michael would still bring his computer. can i make rules? beautiful pictures and a lovely story. you always make me laugh - chips, chips, chips!

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  15. looks like fun! i'd love to swim in a lake that acts like an ocean, where i wouldn't be afraid of sharks :)

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