First Camping Trip of 2023!
Two weeks ago I headed out on my first camping trip of the season. This was a first for me, camping this early in April. With the unseasonably warm weather, I figured it was a great time to take advantage of a park that is usually booked up for the season. I had been to Pinery a few years ago, but only to go hiking in the winter. The beach was so beautiful that I knew I needed to go back and experience the park in warmer weather.
The park is located on Lake Huron near the town of Grand Bend. It was a nice drive to get there with very little traffic after I got off the 401.
Arriving at the park I was pleasantly surprised by how few people were there. The park was HUGE! There are 3 campgrounds in the park; Riverside, Burley and Dunes. I camped at Riverside at site 409. The site was a large pull-through site. Even though I camp with a tent, I like to have electricity on the site. Camping that early in the season, I was unsure what the weather was going to be like. I pack a small space heater and a heated blanket for Rosie on the cold nights.
Once I got the tent set up, it was time to explore the park. There are a few different hiking trails in the park that I knew I wanted to check out, but on the first day I always head straight to the lake. The lake was beautiful. It went on forever. You didn't know where the water ended and the sky began. The dog beach was just as beautiful as the regular beach. It was white sand and you could walk out into the lake for a long time before it got deep. I didn't go out that far because the water was still freezing.
After a few hours of just exploring the beach and taking in the fresh air, it was time to head back to the campsite and start making dinner. When planning for a camping trip I try to pack food that can be used for a few days. So for dinner the first night it was steak, potatoes and grilled asparagus. With the leftovers from that meal, I would turn it into a breakfast hash the next morning.
On day 2 after breakfast, it was time to hit up the hiking trail. I decided to do the Wilderness Trail. There was a parking lot right at the trial head so that was super convent. We parked the car and headed out. The trail was nice, however, it was unmarked. There were a few numbered posts along the way but no markers showing which way to go. There was a part of the trail with lots of stairs that led you down to the beach. After a quick swim for Rosie, we decided to get back on the trail. We walked for 30 minutes with no marker in sight, I then realized we were on a different trail and not the original loop we had planned to take. So we decided to turn around and try to find our way back to the car. I'm not sure if the trail was unmarked because it was so early in the season and they haven't put the markers out yet, but it was a little annoying not knowing where we were going.
After our 5km hike it was time to head back to the campsite and have a quick lunch. Lunch was sliced deli meats and cheese and a protein shake. Just enough food to hold out for dinner. Then it was back to the lake.
There is something about the sound of waves that just brings me so much joy. I stood in the lake for a few minutes doing some deep breath work and grounding exercises. There were so many great flat rocks on the beach for skipping. I stood there for awhile, just skipping rocks into the lake the way I did when I was a kid.
Rosie and I found a nice spot and we just sat, listening to the water and enjoying the fresh air. I always take my journal with me every where I go so this gave me a great opportunity to write. As the sun started to set, I knew it was time to head back and start the fire.
Sitting by the campfire, roasting marshmallows and listening to The Tragically Hip is always one of the most soothing things for me. With not a care in the world, I am able to let go of all the stresses of the week and just sit and listen to the crackle of the fire and enjoy the smell of the trees and feel the crispness in the air. Camping in April was amazing. It is only just the first of many adventures I have planned for this 2023 camping season. The next trip will be May 19-22 at Fairbanks Provincial Park near Sudbury. Stay tuned for that adventure. Don't forget to follow me @fitness_adventures_with_liz on Instagram for all the up-to-the-minute highlights.
Love,
Liz
Sounds amazing Liz!