Summer of Outdoor Fun

  Posted on July 26, 2015 By

 44 Comments

In recent years we became accustomed to traveling – Thailand, Panama, Peru, Montana, New York, Hawaii, etc.  We’ve been fortunate to be able to afford to see some of the world and experience new cultures.

However, with the cost of adoption continually increasing we decided to forgo any vacations for the time being. Simply, travelling is not cheap.  Nor is it a necessity to a happy life.  So, while I was upset by our decision to cancel a planned road trip to Alaska and then a cheaper alternative of Iceland, I absolutely believe this was the right decision for us at this point in time. In the scheme of our lives, our priority is having a family not going on another vacation.

In the aftermath of our decision I also realized that part of my desire to travel is wrapped up in my learned behaviour to literally run away from my problems and frustrations.  I’ve realized that as a teenage when my Dad and I argued, he would literally put me on a plane to go visit extended family, thus getting rid of the problem.  And for the first time in a long time, rather then running away I am staying grounded at home.

But, I also refuse to completely put our lives on hold while we try to save up enough cash to pay for our adoption bills and while we wait for an undetermined amount of time.

So, this summer is slowly turning into the summer of outdoor fun.  We are enjoying spending time outside whenever we get the chance.  And as an added bonus, asides from the gas required to get us places, often our activities are virtually free.  We are loving going for bike rides on the cooler evenings, and playing the odd round of golf with friends and fishing at a nearby river.

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We are loving spending our weekends camping in the Rocky Mountains.  We are enjoying going fishing and eating smores by the campfire.  We are loving hiking with our dog, so much so that we just bought her Swamp Cooler to help keep her cool while we are in the sun for long periods of time (we haven’t tried it yet, but Ruffwear products have always impressed me, so my expectations are high).

We also find ourselves exploring new things right here in our community like checking out farmer’s markets and local historic tourist attractions.

I’m also finding wild animals to take photos of (including our newest find, a coyote) and wild flowers too.

I often forget just how beautiful my part of the world is – I guess I take it for granted because it’s right here so I’m used to it being right here.  It’s been nice to explore the natural beauty of my part of the world, and I’m getting excited to share it with our child!

So basically our summer of outdoor fun also means that we are just sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves because we cannot go somewhere epic.  Nor are we sitting around just waiting for the march proposal phone call. Instead, we are enjoying the right here, right now way of living. Although, I do have to admit we both jump a bit when we see a phone number we don’t recognize or if we miss a phone call.  I will also admit that when we are out of cell phone service for more then 24 hours we are making an effort to get somewhere with service so we can check-in – the idea of missing a match petrifies me, so we are trying to stay in touch.  Really, I think we are simply trying to live through the wait, but also being practical about it.

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 Category: Photography, Travel      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

44 Comments on “Summer of Outdoor Fun”

  4. You definitely live in such a beautiful area! I’m glad you’re “making do” with your summer at home by getting out and doing fun things in your area. We need to get out more and do more fun things around here. We live in a pretty place as well, but we’ve been so caught up in fertility stuff that by the time I get a weekend off, I’m so tired I just want to relax at home. I need to take up your initiative and get moving outside!

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    • It’s funny you say “making do” that’s how I’ve been feeling about it. And then, I look at the photos and I’m like, seriously, what do I have to complain about? This is amazing!
      I hear you about the fertility stuff taking over you life – after living that way for so long, I think that’s part of why we are making an effort to be outside and to enjoy. I know it’s hard while you are living through it (we were horrible), but I absolutely recommend trying to spend some time outside – maybe once you deck is built you’ll spend more evenings in your yard? 🙂

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      • Most likely! I wish it wouldn’t take so long for that to happen, but it will be done eventually. We would also probably get out in the world a bit more if B didn’t sleep until 11 or 12 on the weekends and waste half of the day away!

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  6. You know … someone who is making a huge decision about where to place her baby is NOT going to trash your information because you don’t respond immediately to a phone call! Take a deep breath and ENJOY this time of peace and togetherness. Showing the world to a child is an amazing experience and you’re going to love it – but this time of just you is sweet too… 🙂

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    • In so many ways you are right about just ENJOYING this time – and I think right now we are, especially compared to the last few years.
      The only real reason we are trying to stay in touch is that we could have an immediate placement, where the baby is born and waiting for us. And I know I’d just hate to miss the first few days or week of baby because we were playing in the mountains. That said, so far we haven’t had any major issues turning on our phone once a day to check our voicemail. 🙂

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      • Oh wow – I had no idea that could happen! I assumed you’d be contacted at least a few weeks ahead of time and told baby’s due date. So yes indeed, I can see you needing to stay close to your phone!

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      • We will be matched sometime during the 3rd trimester or once baby is born. I’m hoping for once baby is born, Mr. MPB is hoping for at least a few weeks of lead time. 🙂 Ultimately it’s out of our control so we will just wait and see.

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    • The Rockies are epically beautiful, eh? Spending so much time enjoying the mountains this summer has really helped remind me how beautiful our part of the world is. 🙂

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  8. Beautiful photos! I love that you guys are making the most of this time and making a point to make new memories while you wait. I think we all learn(ed) the hard way that nobody is happy putting life on hold while you wait for your family to grow.

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  10. Staycation for the summer looks fun indeed….I am particularly jealous of your near by hiking opportunities! I spent 6 weeks in the Canadian Rockies when I was at university, and it was our honeymoon destination too, so I have a certain draw to this beautiful region!!! The highest hill we can climb where I live now is called ‘mount trashmore’ and yes, it was/is a man-made pile of trash! It’s great that you are getting to know your home ground and enjoying mother nature. The rest of the world will still be there for you to explore when you are able to again. We have put off travelling to central and south America because of infertility too. We just have resided that when we do eventually go, we will have a baby carrier with us instead – we don’t want to stop travelling if we can help it 🙂 I hope you won’t stop exploring either!

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    • First, I laughed out loud at your hill. I even read it to Mr. MPB, and he laughed to. We are absolutely spoiled in this part of the world, 🙂 If you ever come back you will have to let me know!! We can climb mountains and explore together.
      And, like you, we are taking the approach that we can travel with a baby. We may choose slightly safer places and we will also go based on vaccinations, but we will still explore the world. 🙂

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    • Yes, I’m starting to realize that we do live in an amazing place. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
      As for the vest, we bought it, but we keep forgetting to use it! Today we went for a long walk in a bird sanctuary so would have been perfect test run, but we forgot it at home! Ops.

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  14. Great post. Great photos. I’m so glad you and Mr. MPB are taking in and appreciating the vast beauty you have around you and simple things we so often overlook when busy busy busy. Love it.

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  15. You really do live in a beautiful part of the world. I love that you are making the most of it! We could all spend more time exploring our little corner of the world I think. 🙂

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  16. It is gorgeous where you live! Seriously, if a Republican gets voted in for President in this next election, I’m going to have to work on getting J to move by you. 🙂 How hard would it be for him to get a teaching job there, lol?!

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  17. I’m so glad you guys are getting out. It’s interesting about your running away theory. Stay present with this very intense process you’re going through. Nature will help with that. I wish I was as versed in camping as you, and lived closer to such gorgeous nature.

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    • Staying present and not running away seems counter to my normal approach, so it’s going to be interesting that’s for sure! And yes, I think you are right, nature will help. And camping is a cheap way to stay connected to nature. 🙂

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  18. Beautiful pics! It looks like you guys are having a great summer. And I agree with you — where you live looks absolutely stunning. Your child is going to love it!

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  19. I am actually grateful we traveled for IVF because those trips were our most recent vacations. We are also doing stay-cations this summer. Every province has it’s own beauty to explore.

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    • What a good attitude you have! I too am starting to be thankful that we took so many vacations in the last few years, it was a good time in our lives to do it. And now our priorities are changing so stay-cations are a wonderful plan. 🙂

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  20. I think I need to follow your lead and live more in the moment. So often I find that I’m always looking to the next big thing in my life and then end up missing all sorts of little things that truly matter.

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