Weekend of Bliss (Maggie)

Guess how I spent the weekend? =)

If you guessed whitewater kayaking, you were right! Yes, my weekend plans worked out after all. Due to the dog issues (See last week's post) I had to shrink my weekend, which should have gone from Thursday to Monday, down to Friday through Sunday, but I still had a great time. My second born daughter Katie and her husband Tony took turns checking in on Wrinkles (my 14 year old English bulldog) for me, and administering her meds, since she stayed home alone. I put newspapers down and she did fine. My oldest daughter Jena, took Sally (10-year-old great Dane) for the weekend. So I was able to get away even though I hadn't yet found a kennel to board them.

So I arrived at Letchworth State Park, roughly 3 hours away from home, late afternoon Friday and spent the first hour alternating between getting the stuffing hugged out of me by friends I hadn't seen in a while, and setting up my campsite. I had bought a tent and sleeping bag and stuff at the last minute, and I have to say, I wasn't happy with either of them. The tent was too small and the sleeping bag nowhere near warm enough. I'll definitely get some higher quality gear before I head out again. At any rate, once my site was set up (with a number of good friends jumping right in to help) we had a group meal together, and spent a really special evening together. Saturday was even better. Group breakfast, lots of fun and discussion and workshops presented this year by the fabulous Edain McCoy. And then the great adventure. Edain joined a tiny group of bold adventurers for the whitewater kayaking trip. It lasted 3 hours and it was one of the best afternoons I've ever spent. We all got soaked, of course. In the picture are me, and two of the best friends ever, Nicole and Christine. We visited a waterfall. We stopped for kool-aid and cookies. We floated in nearly still waters, and then dodged rocks through the rapids. (And I'm sure what were rapids to me would be mud-puddles to an experienced kayak person!) We worked hard, and I felt like I was getting pretty good at maneuvering the little craft by the end of the day. Halfway through we were so overheated that during a break we all jumped in for a swim, though the guides wouldn't let us remove those unflattering life vests! (Since they fed us cookies, I forgave them.)

Saturday night was another round of fun, because that's when we gathered around a bonfire and broke out the drums. I counted 13 djembes this year, and we play together as if we've been doing it for years. Oh, wait, that's because we have. =) There were tambourines and rattles and digeridoos too. Women danced around the fire in time with the primal rhythms. I joined them whenever my hands needed a break from the drum.

This annual retreat is always a spiritual renewal for me. I came home so in love with being outdoors I didn't want to come inside. It's a reconnection with nature, and with magick and with people of like mind and with my inner Goddess. Letchworth State Park (Castile NY) is the most perfect setting I could imagine. It's been called the Grand Canyon of the East, and for good reason.

At any rate, I had a blast, and returned home refreshed and renewed and wonderful.

This weekend, Friday in fact, I'm leaving for a road trip to North Carolina to visit my youngest, Lisa and her new hubby Steve. Fourthborn Stacie is coming with me. I'm sure it'll be another great adventure as we're driving down. I've found a great kennel for the dogs, but since this was short notice, they had no room this weekend. I booked them for later in the month when I'll be at Dragon Con in Atlanta, and will again in September when I have a weekend in Arizona. For this weekend, I'll impose on my kids again. My son in law, Tony, has offered to take Wrinkles to his place and I'm going to take him up on it this time. And Jena will take Sally again. And from here on, I'll be working with a kennel.

Wrinkles, by the way, is doing great. She's feeling great, smiling again, frisky and upbeat. I'm so glad. Her meds will be finished by the time I leave tomorrow, except for the eyedrops which she needs for life. Really, right now, all is well with the world.

It's amazing what a great weekend spent out in nature can do for you.

Until next time!
Maggie