Vacationing

My mom setup a family get-together over the August long weekend. We all hooked up for brunch on the Sunday then headed back to the cottage she had rented. The cottage [photo] is on the beach at Port Bruce on lake Erie. I spent a lot of time on this beach, as its near Aylmer where she grew up and her parents lived, so when visiting we’d make a stop there too.

Conor had an excellent time, from friday night when we arrived, to saturday morning [photo] [photo] when he discovered that “beach” means one-big-sand-box. He also suddenly became a water-rat! I couldn’t believe how much he wanted to get into the water and float and swim. Normally he isn’t really that interested in water - it can be hard to get him into the wading pool at the park. Not this weekend! It was hard to keep up with him and his running into the lake!

Back to the Brunch. It was at Pinecroft, a nice, picturesque Bed and Breakfast, gift, tea room kind of place. The best part was after brunch, when most of the family came back to the cottage to hang out and swim. I haven’t seen most of the Aylmer folk for, well, around 5 years, so it was great to re-connect with them. Conor had a good time meeting his cousins, aunts and uncles. He also enjoyed a rare culinary experience - Doritos, Cheezies and Gatoraid! In little time his face and hands were covered with orange cheezie chemical goodness [photo] [photo] [photo] [video]. As dinner time rolled around hot-dogs and corn on the cob were cooked and consumed with much abandon. A long after dinner swim included Conor swimming naked, which was the highlight for me.

There is talk of making this a yearly event, and i can only hope this this is true. As i get older, and have my own family, i really see the importance of staying connected with one’s own extended family. I’m going to be taking steps to keep this kind of thing up, and a yearly get together at Port Bruce is an excellent start!

Monday saw us cleaning up and leaving the cottage. We were off to Port Burwell Provincial Park for 3 nights of camping. Ciara and i were a bit apprehensive about how Conor would do with sleeping in a tent, but like everything else he far exceeded our expectations. Both for napping and sleep time, he was a champ, acting exactly as he does when he is at home. It is really quite amazing what strides he has taken in his development, and how much better at handling new situations he is.

Before getting to into the camping, we did a quick side trip to Port Stanley to eat at Makie’s. They are right on the beach, and have really good fries and orangeaid. Yum yum!

After our french frie run, we got to our camp site and setup camp [photo] [photo]. We had a new tent, so it was fun to finally get it up and check it out from the inside. When i tried to set it up at home, we quickly discovered that our backyard is to narrow for it. I’ve never owned a big tent, so being able to stand up in our tent is quite a treat! One thing that both Ciara and i were jealous of was Conor’s bed. We borrowed a piece of foamy from my mom that she uses as a bed for Conor. Well, as much as i appreciate how small our thermarests pack, we decided that next time we go camping, we are going to be packing an air mattress for the two of us! We must be getting old…

The beach at the park is huge, and beautiful sand. Very shallow for a long way out, although there is quite an undertow, which made me very nervous when i was out with Conor. Luckily there were only one or two times that the waves made things a bit more exciting then i’d have liked. Conor didn’t seem to mind however, he just kept wanting to walk farther and farther out into the waves, till he was in over his head. Crazy kid.

We, well, i, had one strange nocturnal visitation that is worth mentioning. One night while Ciara was off at the bathroom, i was quietly reading on the picnic bench. Suddenly, without any warning, i felt a tapping on my lower back. Having nerves of steel, i didn’t flinch or anything, thinking it was Ciara who’d crept up on me, and i didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of me jumping up. While puzzling out why i didn’t hear her, i get another, slightly more insistent poke in the back. Finally turning around, i see the back end of a raccoon hightailing it away from me into the surrounding brush. I don’t know who was more surprised!

One quick note to anyone going to Port Burwell for the first time - the beach is not easily walk-to-able from the camp ground. Well, at least, don’t ware flip-flops. And bring something to carry your child in. And leave before it gets dark. Maybe have a map. FYI.

Our 3 nights at the camp ground were just the right amount, as Conor was ready to come home on Thursday. An excellent first camping trip, and we are all looking forward to more of them! [photo] [photo]