Last night I slept alone in our rented cottage in Roberts Creek.
The house is surrounded by forest and, except for the rush of the nearby creek and the waves on the shore, it is incredibly quiet. We haven’t had our WiFi hooked up and there is no stereo. Kevin is gone until Monday and the silence of the rainforest feels immense.
This morning I woke, flipped on the gas fireplace and wrapped the silence around me like a quilt.
I drank my coffee, and took a look at my little old school calendar. It’s a drugstore daytimer where I scratch notes of where we camped, dinners out, and any other random details.
I wrote ‘Roberts Creek, BC’ on the little square space for October 20th. I realized I’d be writing a few of those for the next while. I decided to look back at the previous Thursdays.
Last Thursday we were camped in Penticton, British Columbia.
Prior to that we were at the Pilipow farm in Goodeve, Saskatchewan.
Before that it was Cochrane, Ontario, then visiting Mary and Robert in Nova Scotia, and before that? Some random stay in New Brunswick that I failed to note. We stayed at the Chez Ignace Inn while cycling in Quebec, and saw the leaves turn in Ottawa, Ontario…back and back I flipped through all those Thursdays.
Every week showed somewhere new with a myriad of other stays in-between. In fact, if I looked back to the beginning of 2016, even while we were still living in Vancouver, there were not many nights that were in the same place.
Did I mention I’m happy we’ve stopped?
On the last part of our road trip, I was consumed with figuring out where we should live after this Roberts Creek rental. I pulled up endless real estate pages while Kevin drove.
I vacillated between the benefits of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to the glory of so many deer roaming the streets of Kimberley, British Columbia. We wondered again and again about where to live; city? country? East Coast? West Coast? Mountains? Prairies? Which made the most financial sense? What about friends? Family? I felt like I was drowning in unknowable questions.
And then we saw those glorious Rocky Mountains and soon we were busy with organizing this next phase of our lives. There was no more time for questions as we pulled bin after bin of winter clothes, pots, pans, cutlery and shoes out of our storage locker in Vancouver and gunned for the ferry to the Coast.
We’ve schlepped it all into our cottage, scrubbing each square inch before stowing things away, grateful that the main furniture and art on the walls is already part of the rental.
As I scoured shelves, hung each item, or figured out where the coffee maker should live, I realized something…we are home.
There need be no questioning about what’s next.
This is where we are now. We have each other. We have our health. We have many Thursdays where I’ll no longer need to write the name of a different town, I’ll just know that we’re living right here in our cozy little cottage by the sea.
It doesn’t have to be forever…because really, what is?
But for right now. We’re home.
Colleen, another wonderful post and I drank in your photos. Such calm and reflection they triggered in me. You have a gift. Thank you for writing and sharing your life.
Thanks so much for this Akaisha. It makes me very happy to know that was your experience.
In so many ways I write these things as reminders to myself, and yet, it is even more rewarding when I share them and hear that it can sometimes elicit this kind of response.
You’ve made me smile all the way to my toes.
It sounds snug and cosy. After months in a trailer you must appreciate some home comforts.
You guessed that right Catherine. I’m so appreciative of real chairs and a sofa and space to walk around the bed ???? We’re really enjoying our ‘big-to-us’ little home.
Colleen…I love the Hope & A Prayer photo. It’s gorgeous. And, yes, isn’t it great to have a bathtub after trailer travels? It’s the little things that provide solace in our day to day lives. Enjoy your new digs. They look lived in already. I’m sipping a cup of green tea while 14 year-old Laddie enjoys his puffy NEW dogbed and Grant prepares the truckbox to source wood and seed garlic with a lady in Prince Albert this afternoon. I intend to stay home and putter. Don’t you just love this time of year? It’s all about settling in for the winter and getting cosy. Much happiness and peace to you in your new dwelling. Patricia
I love picturing your Laddie all tucked into his new bed. What is it about a napping dog that creates such a homey feel? Amen to puttering about…it must be an intuitive thing like bears and squirrels hunkering in for the darker days ahead.
I’m all over the tub plan, having one almost every night so far. Plus I’m quite giddy each night when I place my book and reading glasses on the dresser beside our bed. What a luxury of space!
Time to haul out the crock pot and simmer something delicious. Oh, and did I mention I have an oven too? The bounty never ends…
So happy that you’ve landed, even if temporarily. It’s just all part of this bigger journey we’re all on, right? You sound warm and comfy and ready for the next chapter. I know it will be a good one!
Gwen. I’m not sure if it’s these ancient well-worn fir floors or the surrounding trees but whatever it is, this place feels very cozy.
It will feel fully functional when we finally get WiFi. I’m finding it very amusing at how much importance that has taken on in my life.
Glad you’re back. Your place looks great.
Thanks Diane. It’s coming together and feels like home.
Lovely post. The new home already has your personality and charm. What a blessing to be snug and content after such an epic journey. I totally get the happy traveling and happy home feeling. I am having my coffee here with you. Thanks for this.
Mary, I was just in the middle of having my morning coffee when I found your comment. Perhaps we’ve time traveled and managed to have our coffees in some third place at the same time. I like that idea. We can simply ignore the silly time change difference.
It isn’t hard to make this place look lovely; the golden fir floors, the ancient doors, even the glass in some of the windows is starting to slide and waver.
I really love our new little home.
Not sure why but I feel very happy that you have come home, even if it may be temporary, or not for long. Wallow in sitting still, warm and dry for now.
Peace, Joan B
Maybe you’re picking up on my happiness Joan? I am so appreciative of the ability to walk around the bed, for a nightstand for my book and water glass, and especially for a bathroom that has enough space for me to be able to move without hitting my elbows and, most of all, for a tub!!