A Couple Days in My Happy Place
Sometimes, a couple of days away is all it takes to slow down, breathe a little more deeply, and reconnect with what makes you feel most alive.
Recently, my husband, Ron, and I packed up the camping gear (Kayaks, tent and sleeping bags) and headed to Beaver Mines Lake Campground, a couple of hours south of Calgary. The drive itself felt like part of the getaway as we travelled along the Cowboy Trail, passing rolling foothills, ranch land, and those expansive Alberta skies that never fail to impress me.
We were fortunate to have lovely weather for the entire trip, and our campsite was beautifully tucked among the trees. It felt private and peaceful, with birdsong providing the soundtrack from morning until evening.
Even during the night, nature made itself known. I awoke to the haunting, unmistakable call of loons carrying across the lake. There is something magical about hearing them in the stillness of the night—a reminder that the natural world continues its rhythms while the rest of us sleep.
Morning on the Lake
One morning, we took our kayaks out on the lake for a few hours.
Kayaking is one of my happy places, especially when I am paddling on a mountain lake. There is something about the combination of water, mountains, fresh air, and gentle movement that settles my nervous system and brings me fully into the moment.
The lake was peaceful, and we were treated to plenty of wildlife along the way. One of the highlights was seeing two beautiful swans at the water’s edge, quietly preening themselves. We slowed down and watched them for a while, careful not to disturb them.
Moments like that are one of the reasons I love kayaking. You can explore places that are difficult to reach from shore and observe nature from a quiet, respectful distance. There is no rush and nowhere else you need to be. Just one paddle stroke after another.
Campfire Evenings
Our evenings were spent around the campfire, which is, of course, one of the best parts of camping.
There is something wonderful about sitting beside a fire as the daylight fades, watching the flames dance and enjoying the warmth as the evening air cools.
One night, we roasted the requisite smokies over the fire. Is it really a camping trip without at least one meal cooked on a stick?
The other evening, we enjoyed a meal we had prepped ahead of time: delicious teriyaki chicken paired with potatoes, carrots, and onions cooked in tin foil over the campfire. Preparing some of the food in advance made the meal easy, but cooking it over the fire still gave us the full camping experience.
Simple food always seems to taste better outdoors.
The Gift of a Simple Getaway
It was only a couple of days, but it felt like a true reset.
There were no complicated plans and no long list of things we needed to accomplish. We drove through beautiful countryside, slept among the trees, listened to birds, paddled on the lake, watched wildlife, ate beside the fire, and enjoyed being together.
At this stage of life, I am increasingly aware that feeling fabulous is not always about doing something big or extraordinary.
Sometimes, it is found in the quiet moments.
It is the sound of loons in the middle of the night.
It is the gentle splash of a paddle entering the water.
It is spotting two swans along the shore.
It is the smell of a campfire and a meal cooked outdoors.
And sometimes, it is simply stepping away from everyday life long enough to remember where your happy places are.
