a holiday not far from home

Joe and I went on a stay-cation this past weekend. We needed a break from the "buzzing" life of Queen Charlotte and life on the edge of the hill (we live on a hill that borders a road). This may seem strange for someone living in a city,  who's battling the chaos of cars, people and everything urban. But honestly, no matter where you are, you can always make yourself be busy. A lesson I've recently learned.

So we needed to relax, with no agenda or timeframe or list of projects to pursue. We wanted to spend some real quality time together, enjoying the beach and beauty of Haida Gwaii. Annnnd it's the "season" of our two year anniversary. Long story short, we don't have a set day just a general time frame.

I took an extra day off work and we packed up the truck to head North. Tucked high in the trees just behind the rolling sand dunes, we called Highwater House home for 3 nights and 4 days.  

With wind blowing in from Alaska, we hid in the circle window tree house to find quiet and warmth. We went on sandy beach walks, returning with heavy pockets full of agates and sugar stones. We spent cozy afternoons sipping coffee and playing crib. We woke up to the beach air hitting the forest. And came in from the cold to the smell of cedar and bacon. The weekend was quiet. The sound of humanness silenced. Only a branch hitting a window and the waves colliding with the river mouth.  

We paddled along the shoreline with a seal as our shadow, watching our every move. We caught some waves and crashed on shores. We warmed our sandy toes in the saltwater bear claw tub. We took photos of the Big Dipper and stared up at the moon. 

The weekend also marked the 5 year anniversary of Queen's University homecoming (since I graduated in 2010). It was the perfect place to reflect on all the things that have happened in the last 5 years, since then. India, organizing the first annual Kidney March, London Business School, Toronto, living at Girl Heaven, dating Joe, cross country ski trips, meeting Stetson (my first nephew), my sister's wedding, my brother's wedding , and moving to Haida Gwaii. So many things have changed in the last 5 years. None of which could have been predicted. 

I was humbled to be thinking back, in such a magical place. Curious about the future, and blissed by the present, in the little tree house where you can say hello to Alaska.