Helen's Home World: COVID Camping

Sunday, August 2, 2020

COVID Camping

Well, instead of traveling out West for agility nationals and to visit with family, I'm taking a few camping trips close to home. The first one was just to a provincial park called Rideau River, that's only about an hour away from my house. Two of my sisters and their husbands also joined me. We had three sites side by side. The middle one that my youngest sister had was quite private as there wasn't a site directly opposite it on the other side of the loop. We had our campfires there and most of our meals. My site was a corner site, I booked it so that if I wasn't able to back in I could just drive through. I was able to get my trailer backed in; it just took awhile, like half an hour.

We were only spending two nights so I arrived just after 1 pm, if your site is available they will let you check in early. We all had a hand in planning the meals. I did dinner the first night. It was garlic Dijon salmon with shrimp, boiled potatoes with dill, garlic butter and sour cream and a salad. I had planned a dessert too but we were all full just with the meal. Even though we've had dry weather, there's been just enough rain that there wasn't a fire ban so we enjoyed a pleasant evening around the campfire.

The next day breakfast was ham and cheese croissants, my sister Juanita was in charge of both breakfasts. After walking the dogs, we ladies went for a swim to cool off. The showers at all provincial parks are closed this season. There's not too much at Rideau River but it does have a nice little sand beach and picnic area. The beach was only about 750 m from our camp sites along a shore line trail. Steve stayed back at camp with the dogs. After our swim, Maureen and Steve drove to the nearby town for ice and bug spray as they had run out and the mosquitoes had been bad the first night. Lunch when they got back from town was naan bread pizzas.

Beach

Naan bread pizza

A friend who lives close to the park came over in the afternoon to visit with us and we just spent the afternoon imbibing and chatting. Maureen and Steve were responsible for supper that night and they made a foil packet sausage and vegetable dinner. I put together the dessert that I planned too; it was a foil packet peach and pineapple upside down cake served with ice cream and whipped cream.

Camping dessert

Again we enjoyed a lovely camp fire. The weather the last morning started out beautifully; they were calling for rain, we thought maybe the rain had bypassed our location but then the clouds rolled in and just as we were sitting down to eat our breakfast quesadillas and sausage, the rain started.

Evening fire

Rainy breakfast

Luckily it didn't last long and it was still warm so things dried out fairly well before we had to pack up. I had a few things that were damp and bit sandy that had to be cleaned off once I got home.

After the rain

I think this was Teddy's first camping trip, I think he enjoyed it. The next time we'll find a trail and take a nice long walk, he'll enjoy that.

The next trip is to Murphy's Point Provincial Park which is just a little further away. It's bigger and has some nice trails and walking paths we can do. There's also an old mine; I doubt the mine will be open since the parks are keeping most things closed, even boat rentals, but maybe you can still walk around the grounds.

2 comments:

DukeAugust 3, 2020 at 6:09 AM
It looks like you had a wonderful time. What a beautiful spot and the food all looks so yummy! Yay for short get-aways!
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AnonymousAugust 29, 2020 at 4:28 AM
Just stopping by to say hi and yap and give sheltie air licks and kisses to all of you. That camping desert and foods look so yummy!
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother