Tranquility

In the past few days, while ostensibly on a work trip, I've discovered two kickass vacation spots.

Exhibit A: I'm sitting on an Adirondack chair on my private deck, overlooking a tiny bay on the St. Lawrence River, sun on my calves, bare feet dangling over the deck, having just completed a tranquil outdoor yoga session (by myself). The sounds are: a dog barking occasionally, boats moving through the water quietly, the wind in the trees, and little else. Egrets and ospreys fly by with their morning snacks against a bright blue sky, and the water is rippling just barely under the breeze. A fish breaks the surface and goes back down. Trees trees trees. Oh yes, I am relaxed and relaxing. Sometime soon I should get myself down to breakfast. A black squirrel on his morning commute by my gate startles to find me here and turns the other direction. Moving along the deck railing, he jumps quickly across to the deck on the main house, a sight I've never seen this closely before.

Yup, I could kill a blissful few days here. Did I mention they gave me the room with the jacuzzi? Sadly, I may not have time to partake, since my meetings start up in a few hours, and I am hoping to use the bay for a test of my open water swimming skills (and, you know, tidy up my presentation at some point).

This is the Glen House Resort in Gananoque, ON. I feel a tug at my heart from the conversation I had last night with my taxi driver, who was talking about the 17 plants that used to be in the area (now single digits), and the need for leadership to take seriously the issues they are having with unemployment.

Exhibit B: After a morning presentation and meeting, my host takes me out of town to the farm store at Cider Keg Farm, where they have just outside the door an incredible-looking display of local fresh strawberries, asparagus, snow peas, and other produce that is clearly at its peak. Inside, the wonders of homemade sparkling apple cider, pecan pies, popcorn and "Pop a Cob", lavender goods, meats, honey, etc., all from locally produced crops. As we check out our Pop a Cobs, the cashier suggests we visit the Eco-Adventures, which in fact is exactly where we're headed. A growing enterprise that seems to be full of great ideas for entertaining folks in a way that honors the natural environment, they offer ziplining through the Carolinian forest (and overlooking the expansive Turkey Point marsh), an observatory where the Milky Way is often visible, kayak-fishing (a new thing!), and tours out to the Long Point spit by boat. If you are a real advenurer, there are also free (!) mountain bike trails on site and glamping (glamorous camping) in cabin like tents that overlook the forest and marsh. Of course, if you just want to walk through the woods, there are plenty of trails for that too. I predict they'll have even more fun adventures offered in the future, as it seems they are just getting started.

My lovely hostess took me across the street to the winery, owned by the same family, for a tasting of what she said was some of the best wine in the area (and in Canada). Apparently the well-drained sandy soils of the area and the weather combine with the winery's innovative approach where they dry the grapes slightly in old tobacco kilns before pressing to make fantastic wines. At least to my palate, but she formerly worked for the Canadian Wine Industry, so I'm thinking she knows what she's talking about. Since it was lunchtime, we also got food from the gourmet food truck parked outside, including local perch from Lake Erie, which she raved about.

This was Simcoe/Long Point area in Norfolk County, and I was smitten. I imagined (and promptly told my husband) we should come back to the area for a week or so to canoe and kayak, sit (or swim!) at the beach, drink wine, ride bikes, have local brews, and just slow down a bit.

These areas are not only local treasures, they are national treasures, and truly, gems of North America. I'm delighted we live so close that my daydreaming about vacationing here is not just a wild fantasy, but is truly feasible. Time to start saving up!!! :)

Ten Years*

and then we were us again, smoothly trading thoughts where noone else could hear us. wordlessly reading each other's paddle strokes and adjusting to keep us on track. following each other into the water, waiting until the other acclimates before going deeper. following each other into the intimacy of quiet, hands held, even though the rings were missing. because they are too precious, you say, and we might lose them. the risk is too much.

we are careful with our love, i guess. it is precious, it has always been. like when you used to call me princess, as a serious pet name, to reflect how special you felt i was. what's amazing to me (always was) is how you can be so irreverent about so many things and yet hold our love so gently, and so deeply.

we slept so well, even if the mosquitoes were droning outside the tent and the ground was closer to our bodies than usual. i kept having to readjust to the simplicity of just us, floating along, timeless and free.

ten years in and the magic is still right there waiting for us, anytime we care to look. you are magic, my love, my prince, and my closest family.

now that i've stopped trying to concoct elaborate plans for our milestones, they seem to be unfolding on their own, with perfect timing and tone.

*please don't count too carefully. nothing untoward ever happened, you see, but i'm afraid the overlap of transitions might make some uneasy.

Summer Moments, So Far

Putting our feet in the fountain at Spikersuppa in the center of Oslo, surrounded by small children doing the same.

Taking lunch outside with my coworkers at the picnic table, mid-work day.

Sitting on a blanket barefoot, singing hymns at our outdoor church service.

Eating ice cream popsicles with my dad and hubby on a sunny afternoon at the escarpment, joking around as we gaze over the best view in town.

Getting happy hour margaritas on the patio with a visiting friend, sunglasses optional.

Holly and me at the Hollow

Jumping in a cold lake after a long day of paddling, followed by chilling in the canoe while the hubby casts line after line into the pond that we have all to ourselves, hoping for a bite.

Playing impromptu volleyball at the church picnic, and being kind of good.

Ducklings and goslings, always in sets of four.

Discovering I have a watch tan!

Spending Monday morning at work trying not to itch the mosquito bites that cover my ankles and wrists.

Steamed mussels with drawn butter!!

Flowers: the unexpected rose bush in our side yard, the tiny ones underfoot on our hikes, the many public gardens full of them in every city from Norway to New York.

Days full of my favorite people - phone calls, skype dates, and visits.

and Cotton candy in Tivoli Gardens...