I'm a creature who loves my comforts. They're simple comforts and I've found them almost everywhere I've ever been. Once my basic needs are covered I find I can easily make myself at home.
Last week on the river I found a new home. I've always loved the water and have felt something special when living in cities with a river flowing through. I've walked the riverbanks north of town by myself enjoying the peace and feeling rejuvenated by the flow, only to find myself being scolded by friends and family members for taking a risk of being attacked by cougars or bears.
I don't walk the river alone any more but last week I spent 24 hours paddling and camping. Even though I was already tired when I began the journey, and the work was hard, I found the adventure to be invigorating and yes, comfortable.
I was more than twice as old as some of the other paddlers, but I still felt like I belonged and even though I'm a city girl at heart who likes to wash my hair every morning, the rustic setting felt like home.
The hospitality didn't hurt. I always feel special when someone plans and prepares a good dinner and the gourmet meals prepped by the owner of the outfitting company and carefully prepared by the guide made the trip even more wonderful.
I've been on both sides of the table when it comes to hospitality and know how it feels to be treated well and how to make others feel special and valued with beautiful meals and healthy choices. It feels great to watch someone's face light up when they see a feast laid out before them and they know they are welcome.
I guess the mosquitoes feel at home here too because they don't seem to be going anywhere and as we enjoy the outdoors they enjoy us. We've got the candle lamps with the chemical pads,four different kinds of repellent some with and some without DEET, long pants and jackets and more and still the pesky bugs see us as a buffet. I'm lucky the bugs don't attack me like they do my husband and my reactions are quite mild but it is annoying to be bothered.
The massive dragonflies dive bombing the campsite we were at over the weekend were helpful but huge and even a little bit scary. I guess it is pretty simple for me and the bugs - a beautiful setting and a good meal and everything is just perfect.
