Channelling my inner Olympic rower

After a rushed day on Friday to gather last minute supplies, I left Saskatoon 1.5 hours before I needed to. There was a slight miscommunication about departure times. Oops!

I eventually got to my friend’s place, and being early meant we got more time to gab. Sometimes I worry I am too much for people, am too dramatic, talk too much or too loud. My stories usually come in multiples, so is what I am saying even making sense? Anyways, these are minor worries I can push to the side now – thank you therapy. With all the catching up we had to do, the drive to the lake flew by.

The next step was the purchase our backcountry camping passes. On the way into the building, the Parks Canada person asked if we knew about their invasive species program. I was prepared, to say, “no, but that’s okay.” Before I could get that out of my mouth, my friend was very polite, and accepted his offer to learn more. Lol. I obliged, and learned all about needing to drain, dry, and clean your boat.

Nice.

Okay, marina time. Gear is packed. Canoe is launched. And 15 minutes in my shoulders were spicy. Perfect. Only 2.5 more lakes to go. Ball did not prepare me for this. Yikes. Fortunately, there were a few narrow channels where we could take a breather from paddling. I relished in the reprieve. And two hours later, we made it to our destination.

Task number 1: unload gear.

Task number 2: slam some snacks (e.g., dill pickle hummus [would recommend]).

Then we settled in! Tents went up. Sleeping bags were rolled out. And we found a sunny spot on the beach to hang out. It wasn’t long before the early departure that morning would catch up to me. It was 5 PM and I was battling sleepy eyes.

Once the prior food babies settled, it was dinner time. The main feature? Mr. Noodles of course.

Still exhausted, I decided to make tea. I so badly wanted to chill in the hammock with a book and a blanket, and hermit. But I felt soooo guilty isolating myself as the others talked about which board game to play.

Gahh.

Would they be upset with me if I decided to sit in the corner and do my own thing?

I mentioned something to a friend about not wanting to be lame but was also so tired from the early morning. She gave me full permission to do whatever I needed to do. “This is a no-judgment group.” So, snuggled up with my book and tea I went! Ohh, the relief to be in a safe space.

It was not long before the others also retired.

And I slept like a rock.

In the morning, we made coffee and chilled in the sun on a little cliff edge we found. We saw an eagle carrying a fish. Wild. The things to see when we slowed down! It was a sweet little spot to spend the morning.

Then decided to pack up and set sail for home again. It was way windier today, compared to yesterday.

Plus, I spent three hours paddling inefficiently the day before. With that, I was a bit worried I would not have the gusto to make it back to the marina.

Like the day before, 15 minutes in and my shoulders were on fire.

“There has to be a better way,” I thought to myself.

So, when the other canoe passed us, I had to check out their form. How were they doing this with such ease? And then I saw it. THEY USED THEIR ENTIRE BODY. Not just their arms. I swear I was trying to do that already. But I could not quite get the mechanics until I saw them leaning forward and pulling from their hips.

Game changer (in a singsong-y voice).

I dialed in. I focused. And I channelled the Olympic rower I must have been in a past life, putting everything I had into every stroke. (I literally had to imagine myself like I was in a race, TSN should have highlights posted this week).

Every once and a while, when I lost focus, I would slam my fingers into the side of the canoe (ouch).

Top that with the wind whipping past my ears and I nearly exploded. I was tired. My hands hurt. And the constant irritation from the wind was too much. I worked on being mindful, and letting those uncomfortable sensations just be there. But I was maxed out.

Then I remembered, “I have earplugs!”. Why suffer when I could take some of the stimulation away?

Ear plugs in. Back to rowing. And it made it so much easier to focus on the task. Wow. I am learning that I do not need to suffer or be “tough”. What a concept?

As we continued to paddle into the wind, slowly working our way back to the marina, we found bays to hang out in. Those in between moments were filled with sharing stories and snacks.

Other notable sightings along the trek home: a cloud shaped like a dolphin and a bit of brush that looked like a raptor.

Beat up by the wind and sun, and gassed from all the rowing I was not conditioned for, the car ride home was much quieter than the one there.

Overall, the weekend felt uneventful. I was waiting for something to happen. Like, what’s next? And it was a neat lesson in slowing down, letting things be quiet so my mind could recover. No TV. No YouTube. No scrolling. I need more space and time like that in my life. We probably all do. Just existing. It was sweet.

So, I obviously need to create a new vision board to include more camping and outdoorsing.

Peace,

Karissa