My Wonderful Summer Holiday

August 3rd,  2009

Moraine Lake in the Rockies

I have just returned home from a fabulous, ‘wonder full’ 5-week holiday. For the first 21 days, I drove with a friend from Vancouver to Quebec City.  Truly an adventure of a lifetime for any Canadian.  I have been telling people that I feel like a  true blue, certified Canadian for the experience.  It was fun!

There were so many surprises on the trip.  The splendor of my home province of B.C. and the Rockies I was familiar with.  I was taken by surprise by the great variety of terrain of the prairies – the Badlands of central and southern Alberta, the huge expanse of sky in Saskatchewan, the changing fields and rolling hills – and the attractiveness of the several towns and cities we visited.  I would love to have lingered longer to explore the north shore of Lake Superior – its many fine beaches and wilderness parks and interesting towns -  and the region around Ottawa and the Gatineau.

Every where we went, my Quebec friend and I, we were touched by the friendliness and helpfulness of people.  Every where we were amazed by  the natural expansive beauty of our great country of Canada.

The remaining two weeks of my holiday, I spent in Quebec city and trips out from there.  I love the city and the province for all the history, culture and beauty and the ‘joie de vivre’ of  the people.  I feel at home there among my friend’s family and friends.  It’s a good feeling.

On the flight home I experienced a curious contrast – 21 days to drive out from Vancouver to Quebec and a mere 6-hour flight to return home!   My greatest thrill was to look down and see the land below and say – “ I was there.  I drove through that land. ”

As I settle into my everyday work life again, I asked myself – ‘what is it about holidays that we love and find so relaxing and restorative?’  The answer that came to me was that holidays give us an extended experience of living life in the moment and with no other purpose than to be delighted, to have fun, to experience something new.  What a wonderful way to live life everyday!