I went on an adventure this past week!!!

Well, me and the family. Camping with twin four-year-olds is busy, I tell you, but it was good to unplug, and fabulous to spend time by the lake.

Sadly, I only got my guitar out to play once, but what an epic spot. How did six days go by so fast? This was our view from the campsite. Can’t beat that, eh?

I haven’t done a blog post in over a week, so I figure a catch-up Ulog is in order.

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Where did we go?

Well, we packed up the tent trailer (OMG so much stuff), strapped the paddle boards on top, loaded up the 4Runner and drove seven-plus hours. We went on a ferry, across a lake, and into the Kootenay Mountains.

We spent the first night at one of our favourite spots. It’s secret, so I can’t tell you the name of the place, but every time I get to go there it’s magical.

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The Secret Spot.

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Our secret spot is along Slocan Lake, which is a super deep body of water. In fact, there might be a prehistoric creature or two living here.

According to tales from one local, there used to be two scuba diving companies operating by this lake. They both packed up on the same day and left… never came back. Saw something under the water that freaked them right out, I guess. There are underground tunnels, and this lake is so deep it doesn’t freeze in the winter, so I guess anything is possible.

Regardless, I love swimming in this lake, just nice and close to shore. It was still in shadow when we hiked down the mountain to the water, but the kids kept warm climbing rocks and playing.

Then the sun came over the ridge, and I scoped out a spot for myself.

The water is so clear here.

The rocks soaked up the sun, but there was a crisp wind. Still, I wouldn’t miss a chance to get into this lake. Bathing in wild water, especially this water, is good for the soul.

After my dip, I sat on the rock for a while, admiring the view.

This region of British Columbia, Canada, is so beautiful. The Valhalla Provincial Park is pictured below, and you can’t see the most impressive of the peaks in this picture, but you get a sense of the grandeur, at least.

Unfortunately, there’s a forest fire on this ridge below. Hopefully they get more rain and no lightning. Wildfires are pretty normal in BC in the summer, but the last couple years they’ve been worse than usual.

Gratefully, the smoke wasn’t bad while we were camping.

We packed up again, got on the road, and went to our destination, The Whistle Stop Campground outside of Nelson, BC.

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Camping on Kootenay Lake.

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You cannot beat this view.

This is Kootenay Lake, now. And Nelson is this amazing town known for a high percentage of hippies and creative types. They serve organic tacos at the concession stand in the park, just to give you an idea. There are so many schools here—people move here to raise kids. People are strange here, but a lot of that is a very good thing.

There’s art everywhere, too. I loved this sculpture.

This dancer towers above a hillside park. Everything in Nelson is on a hill. Steep hills, too. Some of the roads are so steep they make me nervous.

At the top of the little hillside park was this bright, colourful osprey, and the words, “Soar stoic as an osprey.”

Yes, there are two older Subarus parked above that bird. Typical Nelson.

Here it is cropped, and the saying below:

Love that. It really gets me for some reason.

Anyway, we had a whirlwind trip, with some paddle boarding and lots of driving around.

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Sleep?

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I didn’t sleep that great, because mommy hearing means I wake up at every little noise, and there are more noises when in a campground in a tent trailer. Though I must say looking up at the stars in the middle of the night when I woke up to pee was sorta nice. So quiet, so many stars, so not awake, yet totally awake at the same time.

It stormed the last night, with rain and enough wind that we had to readjust the awning so it didn’t fling up into the air. That was the kicker, worrying about having to pack the tent trailer up in the rain. It dried out though, with the sun and the wind that morning.

I don’t like feeling vulnerable when there’s a lot of wind around. I like solid structures with wind. And our little tent trailer (big tent trailer—like two king sized beds) is pretty solid, but… I’ll take a house in a storm, thanks. Or a camper van.

The kids slept through it, of course. Tired, we managed to appease the children, get everything packed, go into town for lunch (I got exactly 45 minutes of shopping in a place where I wanted hours, but mama will take what she gets), and head out.

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Homeward bound.

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We got a late start on the drive home, but we stopped in Nakusp at this playground my kids love.

Here’s the lake across from the playground.

I know this is a long post, but I’ve got to tell you about this girl I met.

It was dusk, and a couple of young women were on the other side of the playground by the swings. Well, I love swings. So I went over, and I didn’t mean to sneak up on the one, but I surprised her as I went for the swing. Remember, getting dark.

She looks up, and says, “Who the f*ck are you?”

I’m like, “I’m a mom, and my kids are playing over there, and I want to swing.”

And she lights up. She’s like, “That’s so cool! When I’m a mom, I’m gonna be like you. I’m gonna swing forever.” Then she apologizes for being a little drunk, gets on the swing next to me, and just like that, I’ve made a new friend.

She was 20. Half my age. And she made me proud to be who I am, in that moment. I still play on the swing set, and fly in my mind. That makes me happy.

Anyway, we left to catch the ferry. We rolled into our driveway at 2am. It’s taken me so long to post because my house is a disaster of laundry piles and stuff that still hasn’t been put away, but I think I’ve got a decent night’s sleep under my belt now, so that’s good.

Home sweet home. This is the little lake view where we live. I love BC. So beautiful here.

That was a loooong post, but such a great trip. I'm glad to be able to share it with you.

Thanks so much for reading!

Whatever happens, keep singing your song!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

All images mine unless otherwise credited.

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.

dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne

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