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Who knew I was so outdoorsy!?


Well, I survived. In fact, I would consider the trip again. It wasn't drinks on the beach but it wasn't torturous either. And much to my own surprise I can rough it!

I knew my week would be a "dry" one so I made sure to get a few drinks into me the Friday before we left. Two Caesars and a beer later I had a great sleep at the Four Points by Sheridan in Mississauga. Which was a good thing as 5:15 am rolls around pretty quickly!

By 11am EST the boys, Ethan (nephew) and Gus (son), and I were at our destined airport, Saskatoon. And let me tell you, the walk to the baggage claim is quick! Nothing like our workout of a maze at Lester Pearson. It was lickety split and we were out of there and off for a Saskatchewan breakfast with Grandma!

When you fly to Vancouver, you smell the sea air when you step out the doors of the airport. When you fly to Saskatoon, you smell canola. (Both of which beat the pants off of the oppressing smog that greeted us in Toronto on our return flight)

After a lay over in a mall in Saskatoon and some grocery shopping in Prince Albert, we were headed towards our home away from home. A cabin on Montreal Lake.

This cabin, has a solar panel for electricity, a tank of water for the kitchen sink, and that's about it for "luxuries". But, as my son put it, "Grandma, you have a real nice little place here"

The one thing I missed was the modern convenience of a toilet. Ugh. Waking up at 2:30am with a full bladder and the great wilds of the north outside, does not make for a good sleep. I tried for as long as I could to ignore the fact that my bladder was brimming and ready to overflow, but finally around 4am I could no longer pretend I didn't have to pee. With a sigh and a heavy heart I grabbed the tp and headed out the door into the wild.. where I squatted. And I was sober.

I did use the outhouse, which really isn't too bad in the daylight when you can make sure no extra critters are joining you. Gus and Ethan held out as long as possible for their trip to the outdoor facilities. Choosing to water grandma's flowers in most cases, but on Monday Ethan made the first trip and Gus held out until Tuesday.

Swimming, boat outings, canoeing, campfires, and games kept us occupied for the first half of the week.

On Wednesday we made the hour journey into LaRonge, where both Grandma and Grandpa work. We visited the building which house both of their offices. We also made sure to visit the toilet in this establishment. We were introduced to the entire Adult Probations division, not at the wrong end of the law, but rather as my mother's pride, to her co-workers.

On Thursday we did some illegal travel (shhhhh) in my mom's fairly luxurious 23' Airstream. There wasn't enough room in the Tundra for us all, so some of us, us which will remain nameless in light of the illegal nature of this matter, travelled while relaxing on the queen bed playing Yahtzee, Uno and  Crazy Eights.

We arrived in Moose Jaw for a Festival of Words event that Grandpa was doing some readings and autographing at some 7 hours later of illegal transportation.

I am thinking that Gus was holding in all of his bodily fluids until we reached flush toilets or was just purely overjoyed at the sight of the toilet, as he was visiting the facilities at least 5 times per meal.

I have to admit when we got into the hotel and I saw that porcelain god sitting there smack dab in the bathroom I was a bit overjoyed. A tear may have escaped down my cheek. And once I sat on that white cool toilet I felt as though I could sit there forever. There was no need for me to be there, I didn't have to "go" but I wasn't leaving. I found this toilet and it was mine.

A week flew by and we roughed it, were involved in the illegal trafficking of persons, and finally met some family members that we won't soon forget. We will miss and look forward to seeing them all soon. (Hard Rock Resort, Punta Cana, January 2013!) It was a great week. The best part, of course, was spending some much needed time with the ol' mom. Grandma, Mom whatever you call her, makes roughing it, illegal activity and wilderness all okay. Thanks Mom!

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