Camping at Gordon Bay Provincial Park, Cowichan Lake
Well, in a manner of speaking, Cowichan Valley Photos went camping. After more than 20 years of sleeping in the great outdoors in a teeny backpacking tent, the family (Cherie, Kevin and Lana, the elderly sheltie) yielded to comfort’s siren call and bought a 24ft Flagstaff 5th wheel in August. WOW! Given that a 24ft 5th wheel is somewhat bigger to tow than said backpacking tent, we also bought a beefed up Ford 150 pickup – in flame blue, yet. So, yesterday, on a whim, off we went to nearby Gordon Bay Provincial Park, a magnificent park located on the shores of Cowichan Lake not far from Duncan, British Columbia where we live.
What a spectacular spot and what luxury! After a long, hot summer, there had been sufficient moisture in that area recently so campfires – banned for most of the summer – were allowed. Anticipating same, we had loaded the 5th wheel with kindling and wood and wine glasses in hand, enjoyed an hour or so of sitting around the campfire after a long walk with Lana Dog on the Point Trail. And when time for dinner: an indoor table flanked with plush upholstered benches and set with placemats and napkins, hot running water, 3 burner propane stove, fridge and freezer. Oh my! Ice cream for the blackberry pie we had bought earlier that day at the Honeymoon Bay Blackberry Festival. And a real bathroom right there, shower and all – but, best of all, a queen-sized bed and reading lights. Oh, and speakers in the bedroom, too, so we could listen to Beethoven’s sonatas before bed on the built-in stereo system. Definitely 5 star camping! Sadly, I think we’ve agreed that even though our faithful tent gave us more than two decades of service, when the rain began beating on the roof of the 5th wheel at bedtime, well, we all agreed that this was, indeed, luxury camping and the tent – still in great shape after all those years – will better serve another family.
Although the day was not warm enough for us to swim, there were many intrepid children swimming in the warm waters of Cowichan Lake thoroughly enjoying the last weekend of freedom before school starts in British Columbia on Tuesday. 20 years ago, Cherie might have been foolish or brave enough to join them, and although Lana Dog wanted to dogs are banned on the beaches at Gordon Bay Provincial Park during the high tourist season. Guess we will just have to return after mid-September so she can play in the water, too.
Brave folks swimming at Gordon Bay Provincial Park, Cowichan Lake
Cherie and Lana Dog hiking at Gordon Bay Provincial Park, Cowichan Lake
