Goodness gracious, this update to my camping trip has taken forever. I'm back, now, still digesting my experience. I had the time of my life up there, in downeast Maine. I feel so comfortable off the grid. Where do you feel most comfortable? We all have that place where we feel most ourselves, unpressured, at peace.
This year, I experimented with new behavior. Which is to say, I didn't totally keep to myself. Mostly, yes, but not totally. I met scads of people - well, a dozen or so, who invited me to share campfires, drinks, card games, parties, the study of green crabs, concerts, a writing workshop and local food lecture. I declined the card games and the parties, but accepted the invitations to check out the green crabs, attend jazz and chamber music concerts, participate in a writing workshop, sample local food, share drinks and campfires and s'mores. I made new friends who live in Maine.
A woman camping alone is indeed a rare thing. So rare, in fact, that I've only seen it once in the eight years I've been doing it. This year, I countered my embarrassment at being seen alone with the fantasy that my independence may just set an example for the ladies I encounter. I think I sparked a vision for a young lady, by the way she eyed my bike and my camper. To all the couples I see: let's say one of you dies. Does that mean your love of camping gets snuffed out, too?
Can you beat this beauty? I will camp until I can camp no more. I figure I have 15 years ahead, for I see people close to 80 enjoying the experience. It might be wise to cut down on my solo wilderness trekking, though. I do admit I should have brought a cell phone and maybe my pepper spray when I hiked in two miles to pick blueberries. I did bring my camera, in case a brown bear ambled by. Maybe I will cut back on my jogging down deserted country roads. I do bring my pepper spray for the beastly dogs that nip at my heels. Maybe I will shorten my bike rides round Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
BUT NOT YET
You really are a good role model for independent women every where. I'm so glad you found interesting people and things to do along your adventure. I knew you would because you were open to finding those things at this point in time.
ReplyDeleteYou probably know this but there is an RV club of all women who travel together all across America and Canada. They have chapters in every state, if my memory serves me right. It's mostly widows who didn't want to give up camping.
Thanks! In important ways this trip was unlike my other ones, because I'm open. It felt like orientation week at college: Here's what's possible - Make of it what you will. I kind of found my H. D. Thoreau 'tribe' - the folks who camp to get back to nature, asleep at sundown and up at dawn. Maybe I would find such women in a camping club or on elder treks.
ReplyDeleteOh yes--this would me my favorite kind of vacation. I have always loved camping--always.Did you get to see a sunrise on Mount Cadillac?
ReplyDeleteYou love camping, too? This is so cool! When I was camping near Cadillac Mountain, I just couldn't bring myself to set the alarm to wake up before dawn. Come to think of it, I didn't bring an alarm clock! I got there around 8 a.m., and had the parking lot almost to myself. By 11 a.m. the place was jam packed - geesh! I may return in early fall, when it's peaceful. When was the last time you went off camping? Close quarters in my camper, but I can share its bed if you behave ; -)
DeleteOh my gosh, you two on a camping trip would make a great video called 'Two Independent Ladies and a Camper.'
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I also loved to camp, in fact we'd just bought the caravan and had a trip away before his terminal cancer diagnosis. We didn't do another camping trip in his remaining seven months, but a few months after his death in July 2014, the spark re-ignited in me, and I've now ordered a motorhome, which will be delivered in about 4 months. I'm so looking forward to getting on the road and exploring all the places we'd planned to visit together. I live in Australia, so I have a huge area to see. I still feel young at 60, so I've got heaps of time to do it in. Daisy
ReplyDeleteOh! I'm so excited for you! I loved Australia, and man, is it huge. I loved the Adelaide area, and the Margaret River region near Perth. There was no area I visited that I DIDN'T enjoy. You will make so many new memories, and I'm filled with envy.
DeleteThanks for visiting me here. It's very encouraging to meet someone who also had the rug pulled out from under her with that horrible terminal cancer diagnosis.
Much strength and peace to you, Daisy.
Thank you Flo, yes it's been pretty horrible, it feels like I've been living in a nightmare, that's slowly turning into a bad dream.
ReplyDeleteT had gone in for what we thought was a routine operation for diverticulitis. Imagine our horror when we learnt he had less than 12 months to live. He was too young at 60.
Oh well, life goes on for me, getting the motorhome is my means for enjoying what's left of it.
Reading the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the widows who have gone before me is an enormous help. Thank you...Daisy