When my children were young, and still relied on their Mom for transportation, I used the type of weather we are currently experiencing as an excuse to go to the beach. It was a chance to goof off, read a book and go for a swim disguised as quality time with my kids, and usually a passel of pals.
Those days are gone, although I hope to make similar use of a soon-to-arrive grandchild. Alas, that child will live far away in Calgary, so my opportunities may be somewhat limited.
My children grew up here, and both left the community to pursue educational opportunities. I'm not sure they realized their privileged status here until it was no longer easily accessible.
I'm talking about a pastime citizens of the Battlefords take for granted - going to the lake.
It was a phrase I heard often as my kids became teenagers with their own transportation or the ability to hitch a ride with friends. Of course, it wasn't until years later I learned "going to the lake" meant Candle Lake on one occasion, but that's another story.
Living in cities where a trip to the lake becomes more of an excursion and less of something to do on a whim, my kids likely remember the Battlefords with fondness when the mercury hits 30 C and higher day after day.
With no kids to use as an excuse, I've learned to occasionally just take an afternoon off and go to the beach. That's what I did Saturday, making my way to Hunt's Cover, a favourite haunt. I wasn't disappointed. There was a panorama of beautiful people - and frankly some not so beautiful - to watch. There were several groups of young people, alternately lolling on the sand and cavorting in the water. Sun worshippers of all ages ranged up and down the beach.
Most entertaining was a young family. Two little girls, probably 2 and 3, scurried obediently ahead of their parents as they set up camp under one of the small sun shelters erected on the beach. Mama struggled with a stroller obviously containing family member number five. It was awhile before the contents of the stroller emerged, but when a small boy in diapers came to light, his grinning dad immediately strapped him into the harness of Jolly Jumper and attached the apparatus to the cross beam of the shelter. The little gaffer bobbed contentedly for the better part of an hour, wiggling his toes delightedly in the sand.
I had a visit with the mother of a girl my daughter attended dance classes with years ago and it was fun to catch up. They now live right across from the beach and I had watched her husband load an amazing number of people onto his pontoon boat for a tour earlier in the afternoon.
Shortly before heading home I went for a swim in the lake. I love swimming, but a skin condition prevents me from going into swimming pools. An opportunity to see if I can still do the strokes and to just bob around in the cool water while enjoying the vast expanse of sky and surf is a true treat.
When it comes to resources for enjoying summer, the folks in the Battlefords are truly blessed. You don't need an excuse to soak it in. Shuck that guilt driven need to mow the grass, weed the garden, clean the house and just "go to the lake."
