Getting Away

I know my blogging has been light of late, but unfortunately that may be a trend that continues for the next few weeks. I will however, try to show some signs of life as the opportunity presents itself.

I'm getting away this weekend, away from the pressing pace of proposals and progress that frequently threaten to overwhelm me. Although it won't be the solitude I need, the weekend trek to a Boy Scout canoe base camp in the company of my son's troop will serve as a sufficient respite from office politics and personalities. Summer camping by the river will be hot, muggy and buggy I'm sure. But the mental image of being on the water, hearing its gentle slap against the side of the craft … man, I need that. I grew up taking annual vacations to the lake. Those years, those memories are so long ago.

I remember the first time I got in a canoe without an adult. I'm not sure exactly how old I was, but I remember it well. I was paddling from the fore, with my cousin manning the aft. Somewhere between the dock and the small island several hundred yards out from shore, I noticed it was getting much harder to move the craft. At that moment, my cousin announced, "I have the paddle in the perfect steering position." At which point I uttered some teenage expletive about him needing to paddle the boat. Still, the thrill and the peace of being out on the water - I cannot begin to tell you how much I miss that, how much I need that.

It'll be back to the grind on Monday. But between now and then, perhaps there will be a slice of heaven.