Well I did it again! I solo camped for the second time. Mara Provincial Park is located in Orillia. It is just over an hour from the GTA. It is located on Lake Simcoe. It is a smaller park that is very family friendly.
I am really loving this time away to just reconnect with so many things that I’ve lost in my life. This past week, I lost a dear friend who lost her battle with cancer. I knew it would be best for me to pack up and hit the road instead of staying home. This trip was completely spontaneous. I decided on Saturday afternoon, that I just couldn’t stay at home all weekend so I went to OntarioParks.com and looked to see where I could go for the night. I found this site and booked it right away.
It poured rain the entire way up here and I was so worried that it would still be raining when I arrived. Someone up above was watching out for me because as soon as I pulled into the campground the sky cleared. I was able to get the tent up with ease. After the tent was up and the bed was made, it started to rain again. Luckily, the rain only lasted a few minutes.
Rosie and I took that opportunity to start exploring the park. We found one trail that lead you to the beach area. The beach was beautiful. It had 2 volleyball nets and a brand new kids playground. The dog beach was just at the end of the regular beach. It was small but only Rosie and I were there so it was perfect. We splashed around in the water for a bit and just enjoyed being out.
We walked around the park, it was very well maintained and the sites were very clean. I only saw 1 comfort station in the park, but there were lots of vault toilets. There was only 1 trail in this park and it took you to the beach or you could loop around. I think the trail was about 1 km. The non-electric sites are very close together with little to no privacy. I stayed in an electric site and had a little bit more privacy but not much. My campsite was very large for just me and my tent but I didn’t mind. I really enjoy the connivence of having electricity when I’m camping. It not only helps with setting up the air mattress, it also helps a lot with Rosie. I am able to plug in a fan for her and keep her cool while we are enjoying the outdoors.
This trip for me though wasn’t about the hiking, this trip was more about just being alone and grieving the loss of a friend. I sat by the campfire and remembered all of the good times we had, all of the laughs. I popped open a bottle of Prosecco and toasted my dear friend and her fight. She fought hard for the last 2 years.
Camping is more than hiking, swimming and nature. It is reconnecting with yourself. It is grounding. I love being outdoors with no shoes on and just feeling the earth under my feet. I love just listening to the wind in the trees. Not all trips need to be full of excitement and adventure. Sometimes you just need to take some time for yourself and just listen. Listen to your body, listen to the birds, listen to the trees, listen to Mother Nature. Taking this time out of the city and just being with me and my thoughts has really opened my eyes to a lot of things.
I have accomplished some major healing while I have been out on these camping trips. Every time I do this, I learn something new about myself. I am able to acknowledge that I am capable of things I never thought possible. I feel so proud of myself for doing this, and doing it on my own. Yes, at times it can get lonely. It may even be boring for some. I am just learning to be comfortable in the uncomfortable situations and from that I am growing as an individual. I haven’t been alone in my life since I was 20. Now at 38, I’m trying to figure it out. I am trying to figure out who I am. What I like. What I want out of life.
I know this wasn’t much of a park review but isn’t that what blogs are for? Just to express yourself. I don’t know who reads these posts if anyone but I will continue to write them. It is giving me peace in life having a space where I can freely express myself. I don’t need the validation from anyone, I just needed a place to be me. I am slowly learning who that girl is and what she need. Right now she needs a place to be able to write what I want, when I want.
On Sunday, after making some protein pancakes for breakfast, I packed up the campsite. It is becoming an easier task now that I know what I'm doing and how to accomplish it alone. Once we got the car packed, I sat at the table for awhile and just wrote. There is something about being in the woods that helps me write. After writing for a while, Rosie and I hit the beach. It was much busier than the day before. It was full of families having bbq's. There were a lot of screen tents set up on the beach and so many children running around and playing in the lake. Rosie and I just sat at the dog beach and people watched for a while before heading home.
I have a few camping trips planned for this summer, the next one being Charleston Lake next weekend for Canada Day. That one should be a little more adventurous. I am going with my step mom and niece and nephew so I’m sure there will be stories to tell after that trip! Until then,
Happy Camping!
Love,
Liz
Comments