Freecations

I have a new blogger friend unpcmumma who is also one of my real life most awesomist closest I-don't-know-how-I-would-get-through-week-without-you friend and neighbour (which makes it better). Oh and our boys are exactly 2 months apart in age so that is even cooler. The peer pressure to get pregnant in 2007 was immense, hence the 5 boys all born within months of each other (you know who you are baby encouragers!!!).

Anyway, long way to say that unpcmumma was mentioning that she returned from vacation housesitting at a friends place in the big city, which reminded me of my wonderful freecations this summer.

Freecations are vacations that are free (so simple I know). The key is that they have to feel like a vacation though, it can't be going somewhere for free but feeling just the same as you would were you at home. Something has to loosen the responsibility, allow you to relax, get a different perspective on life, find new mental stimulations (granparents work well for this) and/or sensory experiences (eating sand on a beach you haven't been to before for example) for your child etc.

The boy and I have had many great freecations this summer. So voila, 3 example freecations in print and picture:
1. Trips to Vancouver when Mr W. was working over there. Involved visiting twin cousins, seeing the local beaches and outdoor pool, window shopping in the big city, eating cheap and good sushi, walking the seawall, and visiting Stanley Park.
2. Visiting my parents up in Qualicum when they were staying (for free) at my aunt and uncle's beachfront cottage. The afternoon we arrived the sun came out, first time in days, and all we did was relax on the deck watching people on the beach and the tide come in. It is a magical place, we were lucky to have the chance to visit thanks to v. cool relatives.
3. Lake adventures up on Mara Lake in the Okanagan when Mr W's sister and family rented a condo on the lake and took us out in their boat. Now the trip up was not free, but the day at the lake was all due to the generosity of family. We didn't stay with them, but stayed with Mr W's parents in Vernon (free!).

Clearly freecations of this nature are reliant on the kind nature of other people. I know that there are freecations (camping!!) that are not, and I have enjoyed these in my time as well. I once took 6 weeks to canoe down the coast of Vancouver Island, staying entirely free along the way, purchsing only food and alcohol along the way. I hitchhiked from Jasper to Inuvik once too, rarely paying for a campground, even hopping a train.But I am older, have a kid, like some comforts.
The key is to return the generosity when you can. Pass it on.