at the lake

We had spent Canada Day this year at the same provincial park where we built our last home. Three years ago, it was just Geoffrey, myself, and our dogs having a picnic on our newly purchased lot. We sat on the untamed earth, that was wild with sand, cacti, grass, and ticks. Later we went for a bike ride. The weather was hot and looking back, we were so young and naive about what was to come.

Last year, we took Remy to the beach that was only a stone’s throw from our home. It was overcast and muggy that day. We were the only people there, and for that reason, I loved it. We didn’t stay long as she was only four months old and couldn’t really appreciate it. However, I will always remember it and will tell her about her first Canada Day when she’s older.

This year, the weather was incredibly warm. Almost too warm! The sun shone the entire day, and there was hardly a breeze. We packed up Remy and her new Radio Flyer Trike, and made the long drive back to the provincial park.

A big part of me hates going there. I have such a hard time letting go of things. I always have and it’s something that I need to work on. I miss our little home on that sandy street more than I can bare sometimes. I often let Geoffrey know as he is the one who ultimately made the decision for us to move. Perhaps one day we will be back for good.

We parked in the church parking lot, and decided to walk to the beach from there. It was so busy this year! There were families and dogs everywhere. There were also many people paddle boarding and kayaking. Remy loved it, though. She’s a big people-watcher, and over the last few months she has started engaging with strangers a lot more. She won everyone over with her squeals and giggles and chubby thighs.

We also couldn’t get her out of the water. She’s always been a water baby and that day was no different. We spent the entire time being in the lake. She would crawl in up to her neck, or if I held her hands then she walked in up to her armpits. The bottom was pure sand, which is one reason why I love that beach. It’s small and soft on your feet. The deeper we went, the colder it became. She didn’t mind one bit. My tough girl.