First Solo Overnight

Sometimes it’s hard to start a post…. this adventure was harder to start.  I have been following many outdoor adventure enthusiasts for a while now, started this blog as I had the same passion, but I have been wanting something…. and it sparked with  me that it was a solo trip.  I have been talking about it online for quite some time, just needed to actually plan and push myself to do it.  So, here it is! It is only a one-nighter….but I have a bigger trip planned for the beginning of summer. 

This trip almost never happened…. I was lucky to get a day off work (paid day as part of our contract this year), and booked it for June 1st.  The plan was to head out Thursday evening and camp for at least one night, somewhere. I actually didn’t care where, just had to go. I talked a lot with my good friend, Christina (Camper Christina), and discussed possible places to go for a first time trip.  I had a few in mind, but really wanted to try something new.  With this she suggested the Haliburton Highland Water Trails.  It was close enough for me to make it after work, and that was just great. 

However…..

As the day got closer, the threat for thunderstorms were massive.  I decided to change my mind and head somewhere closer just in case. Well, that didn’t work either because the storms were too much and I decided to not go Thursday night after all.  I even had my bags all packed, came home from work and unpacked.  I was one sad lady. I knew my decision was the best, but my heart had sank low….

This meant I got up Friday morning on my day off and would sit around the house. BOOOOOOO. But, imagine my mind when I woke up and saw SUN. No RAIN!!  I must have jumped out of bed so fast and ran to check the weather. It was going to be nice (with just a few short hours of afternoon rain).  I was pumped. I messaged my hubby and told him I was going to go anyway.  Quickly I booked a site on the HHWT website, chatted with Christina once again for some last minute words of advice and just some pure motivation.  (Insert big smiles, she said “I’m proud of you, GO GO GOOOOOO”).

I repacked my gear, got the canoe on the car, booked my site, and off I went. It was an uneventful drive except for the rain that was expected to fall.  Just as I pulled into the parking area, Mother Nature gave me a little reminder that she is really in control here.  There was a few minutes of complete downpour.  I waited for it to lighten up before I brought all my gear down to the lake and then parked my vehicle in the appropriate place.

This would be my third time paddling this canoe solo, and now with a weighted bag in the front, it was easier to steer.  Mind you, still difficult as the wind was blowing at me and pushing me towards shore. I really do need to work on my strength as a solo paddler. 

My new Badger paddle arrived on Thursday as well, so this was its first dip in the water, funny how it follows my first solo trip as well.  I had won this paddle as part of the Paddle in the Park contest last year being the top points winner.  I was super happy that I had received it just in time for this trip.

My home for the night was a nice short paddle and I was happy to have landed on shore.  That was until the bugs came out! GAH! Good thing I was prepared for this!  I brought my Eureka! NoBugZone that we purchased last year, and it was the first thing I set up.  This way I could take a few minutes to chill before getting the rest of my site chores completed.  Recently I also acquired the Eureka! Midori Solo tent as a gift from my hubby.  He knew I was planning a solo trip, and when I had mentioned this tent that I saw at the Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto, he got it for me as a surprise! Isn’t that just wonderful!

With all my camp chores done I wandered the site taking in all the beauty I was surrounded by.  There were fish jumping in the narrows to the right of my site, and it seemed like they were mocking me.  “Come and try to catch me” the splashes were saying. So I went to try…. unfortunately no bites. Seems like they were more interested in the bugs on the surface and not the worm underwater. Next time my friends, next time!

By the time I was done fishing, well, casting a line and pulling it in empty, I was hungry.  I sat on the rocks at the edge of my site to eat the sandwich I had brought with me.  The sun was going down and I found myself just sitting peacefully watching.  Even the little breeze was helping to keep the bugs away.  Eventually I had to sit in my shelter until I was ready to start my campfire.

It funny how in my mind I know what to do, how to start a fire, but there was a small bit of doubt that it wouldn’t happen.  I even texted my hubby and said “I have made fire”. Even he responded with “was there any doubt?” Why yes… yes… there is always doubt when doing things like this.  This was part of the reason I wanted to get out for just this one night. I needed that little confidence boost to show that yes, I can do this!

As the sun sank further beyond the horizon, and the stars started to shine, I watched my fire burn.  I can’t really explain what I was thinking, but part of it was pure happiness.  This is a scene I could enjoy every day if I could.

Before complete darkness, I set up my Luci light that I won over March break while on the kayak tour that we did.  It made my tent look nice and also was bright enough inside that I didn’t have to wear my headlamp while trying to organize myself.  I said goodnight to the peepers (they were loud!), and did my best to go asleep.

When I awoke, I knew I was successful in my trip.  The remainder of my time was negligible to me.  Making it through the night was my biggest fear I had to achieve.  I hate noises at night, and thankfully this trip it was quiet.  After retrieving my food from my bear hang, I started my stove, boiled my water and had tea and oatmeal with dehydrated strawberries.  They are the last of my leftover strawberries from last year.  Good thing strawberry season is soon as my dehydrator is waiting patiently for more.

Another item I wanted to try was the hammock from the Live the Adventure Explore Box. This item has actually been taken by my son since I already own another, but he didn’t know I brought it with me to try it out 🙂  The best thing about the bug shelter is that it is designed perfectly for a hammock.  I definitely spent some time in here before packing up my gear.

As time passed quickly, I packed my gear and got ready to say goodbye to my site.  The way back to the put-in was an easy paddle, really there was very little paddling, as the wind pushed me down the lake.  I took this opportunity to cast my fishing line a couple more times just to see.  No luck again. Skunked…. 

As I hit the shore, I smiled back at the lake and knew I was successful.  I am ready to take on bigger and better solo trips.  If you see my vehicle and this canoe, don’t be afraid to stop by and say hello.  It was a quiet trip with no one around, but that doesn’t mean I won’t mind chatting.  I hope you have enjoyed my first overnight solo trip.  Keep watching over the summer for my next bigger solo trip.