It finally happened, a weekend away. It didn’t happen without a risk assessment and long discussion about the risks. This trip almost didn’t happen at the last minute as warnings about increased cases in our local area on Wednesday had us thinking once again about the risks. Then, I started sneezing like crazy (I have crazy allergies…but in this day and age of rampant virus I questioned myself). We held our breath, I popped some Claritin and we packed the Caddy.
On Thursday (with no news of the threatened local lockdown) we hit the road, heading towards one of our favorite places to canoe paddle the Weerribben National Park.
Once we had arrived and set up our campsite, we headed out for a short evening paddle. Our paddle muscles cried out as we inched along. Months of sitting dormant and this sudden burst of use was a surprise for muscles that normally mid summer are well accustomed to paddling use.
What better way to give the muscles a real boost than to prepare chocolate pastries on the grill.
As with any camping trip we had the threat of rainy weather. We kept a close eye on the weather radar app on our phones the entire weekend. Scheduling our outings between rain storms. We accomplished that with success this weekend as we managed a 12km canoe paddle on Friday and a 20km bike ride on Saturday. Just as we finished up our bike ride the sky opened up and poured rain on us the entire night into Sunday morning. We stayed nice and dry inside the Caddy although we did have to battle a few mosquitos.
Oh no! We forgot our tools to eat!!! No knife! What can we do?
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Except for the rain at the end and the fear of catching the virus you had a successful escape into the healing realm of mother nature. Great photos!
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Yes we did! Thanks for the compliment on the photos. I will have a follow up to this blog in the coming days as we had some cool bird sightings to share.😊
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Nothing like a little appropriately distanced camping and canoeing! No matter the incidence of virus, people need exercise, and this is one way to get it safely. Sure beats going to a gym – if that’s even allowed!
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You are correct on that.
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Oh, what a joy to read of your get-away and to see these beautiful images. I expect you feel refreshed. So happy to got this time in nature. Now, how do you make those chocolate pastries?
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Funny about the pastries… they are already made (frozen) then you bake them in the oven usually for 15-18 minutes. It took a bit longer on the grill pizza stone as I never think the temperatures get to oven level. But, what a wonderful smell throughout the campground.😊
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Chocolate pastries over the camp stove is a wonderful, decadent treat! Glad you got a weekend away. I’ve been missing Lake Superior this week! I always get up there once during the summer, but probably not this year.
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Oh…I so miss Lake Superior too! Don’t get me started as I already cried enough this week knowing all that stuff s happening there. I think we all should make an appointment to grill pastries in our backyards, conference each other while we have them hot off the grill and toast to what we still can enjoy. 😊
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I love that idea!
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I’m so glad you got to have a weekend get away! I know how much you love to camp and canoe, and I’m sure it did you a world of good to get out and do it. Plus, it’s a pretty safe way to get some exercise and recreation in.
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Canoeing has always been a social distancing activity so you are right. The campground was a bit worrisome but I have skills to prevent infection…I hope they worked.😊 stay healthy and as happy as the situation renders.
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Looks like a beautiful part of the world, you had me at chocolate pastries.
It’s a sad time when we’re worried about going out side I’m glad you did an assessment and made it outdoors
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Strange times we live in for sure.
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Wow, those pastries look yum! do they travel well in the mail? ha. We’ve been making some weekend trips to some of our favorite camping places (outside of IL of course) and trying to make the best of it. We are self-contained with the RV, roll up, hook up, pop the clamshell up, unfold a couple of chairs, build a fire and we be camping (friends call us glampers) – everyone keeps a safe distance and life feels a bit normal again. By the way, very nice capture of that Butter – Brian on your side of the pond will be pleased.
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That butterfly was cool but Brian I think didn’t see it as he didn’t comment. He has been knee deep in housing hunting so not surprised. We are really glamping also. We even purchased a yeti cooler this week which is not easily available here. The social distancing thing is not as easy here as you can’t just park along an isolated road and enjoy solitude (not much of that here), but we try to do our best as the situations allow. Numbers have creeped up again and fear is that the fall will bring a second wave as people are letting their guard down. Nothing like what the US is experiencing but still scary enough. With the airline industry barely hanging on we are walking a tightrope of future surprises. Yippee…
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