Leaving your comfort zone can be rewarding

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This article was published 15/07/2021 (691 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I’ve often joked that the only way I’d agree to camp in a tent was if it was set up in a four‐star hotel room.

Growing up, my siblings and I would squeeze in the small, two‐person tent that my dad pitched in the backyard and pretend that trying to sleep in a hot, stuffy tent with flies and mosquitoes buzzing around our heads all night was actually fun.

It was not. And the bugs were merciless.

But since I’ve been working from home I’ve had more opportunities to appreciate nature. I began taking long walks around the neighbourhood during my lunch hour. Weather permitting, I frequently work outside in the backyard using the patio table as my desk. So this year I finally decided I would give camping a real try.

I wish I could take at least some of the credit for preparing for our little family trip but it was my husband who purchased all the necessary equipment and food, did all the meal preparation and packing, and set up our campsite once we arrived at the beautiful Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park. He also did all of the cooking, which was pretty fortunate for my daughter and me, because I know nothing about cooking over an open fire. I quickly learned that it didn’t matter what we had to eat: from steak and potatoes to pancakes, hash browns and bacon, everything tastes better when cooked in the outdoors over an open flame.

When we weren’t exploring Hecla Island, we went swimming at the beach or played games at the picnic table. My husband even had the opportunity to play golf there, something he’s been eager to do for a long time. The weather was absolutely perfect – not too hot during the day and not too cold (or hot) at night – except for the evening a sudden rainstorm came upon us and my daughter Hope and I got soaked running back from the bathroom. When we got back to the safety and protection of our tent we laughed at how wet we had gotten and marveled at how loud the rain was.

It was wonderful.

The very best part of all was that because I was finally willing to go outside my comfort zone, we made special new memories together as a family. I’m even looking forward to our next camping trip!

Heather Innis is a community correspondent for Windsor Park. You can contact her at htiede@gmail.com

Heather Innis
Windsor Park community correspondent

Heather Innis is a community correspondent for Windsor Park.

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