Where will I be this summer?
It's only taken 10 years, but I will be boarding AirCanada flight AC1121 at 7:55 am on July 14th headed for Saskatoon, SK with my son, Gus, and nephew, Ethan. From there we will be whisked away to my mother's idea of paradise near La Ronge, a mere 5 hour drive from Saskatoon.
I have resisted visiting my mom, Joan, over the last decade since she moved across the country, but alas, her latest plea (aka guilt trip!) wore me down. My strong, vital mother pulled the old, I want you here while I am still happy & healthy... not when I am sick and you HAVE to come. Geez louise, she really laid it on thick. But, to her credit, it worked.
The visits from my mother to Ontario have been plenty in the last 10 years and we do talk daily. My reluctancy to head over to SK was not due to any silly family feud or anything of that sort. You see, my mom lives a different sort of lifestyle. One that I am completely unfamiliar with... a RUSTIC lifestyle!
One of my favourite Anne Taintor quotes, pictures a relaxed woman in a fluffy and comfortable bed with the caption "I love not camping" And that about sums up my way of thinking. I am not outdoorsy, nor do make an effort to pretend to be. I am a "comforts" kinda girl. I like things like 1000+ thread count sheets, running water and electricity.
My mom and her husband, Ray, live "off the grid". There is no running water, no electricity. There is a bath house, cedar fired hot tub, and solar power (and I think generator) that are used for the laptops and refrigerator.
In the summer months, my mom and Ray take a boat across the lake to get to their house. In the winter, a "snow machine" as my mother calls it (we regular people usually call it a snowmobile). In the in-between months, when the lake still has ice or is starting to ice, they walk through the muskegs, which to be honest, I don't even know what that means. I have always assumed it was some sort of swamp like area. I suppose I should have googled it at some point over the last decade. I do know that when I call and my mother is walking through the muskegs, she is winded and agitated. So, I don't think the muskegs are fun. And up until yesterday, when the word "muskeg" popped up on something I was reading, I thought it was a word my mom made up.
I am not sure of the time on the said "snow machines" or boat that it takes to get to their house or vehicle, respectively. I do sort of recall hearing that a walk across the muskegs is about an hour though. So, I guess any trips away from home are pretty well thought out. With the amount of things I forget and have to go back into town to get, I can't imagine this scenario. My son and nephew are totally "stoked". Its going to be "awesome" and "sweet" all rolled into one totally "epic" trip. Ethan flew out last year by himself and met everyone, having the time of his life and Gus has had his nose out of joint since. He doesn't understand why I wouldn't allow him to fly by himself. He is 8.
My mom is also stoked. She is planning lots of adventures and has bribed me with shopping, my favourite pass time. She looks forward to "showing off" her family. I look forward to meeting my extended family that I have talked to, heard of and have never met.
So for 1 week in July I will experience a Rustic Life... wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts July 14 -21.
I am excited to finally meet you :)
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