Charleston Lake 2017

Not much has changed at Charleston Lake after all these years, other than the trees being taller! That must be why it felt so nostalgic to be there. Every path, every turn, every sign post, and even every smell was familiar to me.

An almost 30-year difference

The downside to our day trip was that it had been raining for days leading up to it, so the campsites and beaches were pretty muddy (or flooded in some places). The skies were gray all day and Emily was anxious about the forecast for more rain.

We spent the morning walking around, playing at the park, checking out the beach, and having lunch.

Didn't bring the right kind of footwear for the muddy beach!

I had wanted to spend more time at the beach after lunch, but the girls had had enough and wanted to leave. We made a quick stop at the Nature Centre before heading home.

Jessi was captivated by the big rat snake!

I was sad to leave so soon. Luckily my sister is planning to camp there again next year. Hopefully we'll enjoy a longer (and sunnier) visit then.

Memory Lane: Camping at Charleston Lake

Yesterday we visited my sister at her campsite at Charleston Lake (blog post coming soon), which brought back a flood of memories from my youth. From the time I was 3 until about 13 years old, my family and I camped there every summer. I still remember the best parts, like swimming, catching frogs, minnows and fireflies, fishing, canoeing, roasting marshmallows, and sitting by the campfire. Rest assured I also remember the worst parts, like outhouses, sunburns, mosquitoes, horse flies, and rain storms. But overall I look back very fondly on those years!

Here are some old pictures I gathered from our childhood camping adventures:

First year at CL

Colouring by gaslight

Second year
(What a cute picture!) 

Homemade swings (ropes and blankets)

Doing dishes with my big sis 

Eventually some close family friends started camping at the same time as us every year, which added so much to the fun!

A love of frogs from a very young age!

Where I learned to ride my bike without training wheels

The last summer we camped at Charleston Lake (it was the summer before grade 8), there was a huge storm that caused our tent to blow over, our dog to run away, and me soaked and on my knees, praying for my life. I was probably being overdramatic, but I was terrified! I had stomach aches for years after that, every time I heard thunder. That experience, in addition to hitting puberty, having a strong hatred of bugs, and no longer feeling safe in a tent, made me never want to go camping again. Despite having enjoyed it in my childhood years, I can't imagine we will ever take our girls camping. Luckily Steve feels the same way. We'll stick to day trips!

Mud Puddle

There is still a vacant lot next to our house, which makes for a unique play space for the girls. Lots of climbing, flowers, weeds, rocks, sand, dirt, and a big puddle full of frogs and mud. What more could you ask for?

I'm a fan of visiting with the frogs too

Despite having never been to a spa, Emily describes playing with mud as being very 'spa-like'. She must find the texture very therapeutic!

Dry, cracked dirt is also fun for picking up and smashing 

The empty lot is far from safe though, so Steve and I would be much happier if a house finally went up!

Eye Doctor

We took the girls to their first eye appointment today! Since they had never been to an optometrist before, the girls were a bit nervous, especially Jessi (who didn't want to get out of the car):

Bayview Optometry

Steve has a calming influence on the girls, so by the time we got to the waiting room they were all smiles.

First an assistant used this fancy machine to measure the girls' eyes. Then it was time for their individual appointments with Dr. Misener. Jessi went first!

Measuring eyeballs

Emily's turn!

The results: both girls have great eyesights (Emily's is even better than 20/20). No glasses, no issues, no worries!