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Saguenay Series, Part 1: It seemed like a good idea at the time


Once upon a time, I was an adventurous girl. I travelled with a backpack, I slept in forests unknown, and brought big souvenirs home from countries that I loved (my hubby!). I look back at photos from those times and I don’t recognize that girl at all. Not one bit.

If I look around, I can see that most of my fellow adventure seekers from that era have also mellowed out considerably too. I guess it’s simply the passing of time, I suppose. But a car accident, two children, sports injuries, countless hours at a computer desk and 15 years have not just mellowed me — they’ve made me middle-aged.

I can accept that I am no longer going to wear clothes in single-digit sizes and definitely not a bikini again in this lifetime. (Granted, I accept it begrudgingly, with a smidgen of bitterness).

But to be perfectly honest, I think I could skip the wild and crazy and enjoy settling into a chubby, cushy middle-aged existence if not for the fact that my husband has not aged one bit. This is him:

Mountain climbing. July 2010.

He’s just as adventurous, just as fit (maybe more, even!) and just energetic as when I met him back in 1994. He has a real zest for life and it makes me think, “Huh, how come I don’t feel like that?” Or “Wow, he sure looks like he’s having fun, maybe I should try it, too.”  You might recall that these same emotions got me roped into my “Winter Resolution” this year, not to mention all this tent-trailer shenanigans.  

And now I’ve done it again. Way, way back … I received an email about a trip to the Saguenay region in Quebec. Around this time, my hubby was planning his big summer adventure (pictured above) and I thought, “This can be my adventure!”

Silly me, I forgot that I don’t do adventures anymore.

Now I am locked in — and I need to leave on Monday night.

Not only is it the worst possible timing with the kids staring school, but I’ve also started a new job recently too. But, like I said, I’m locked in.

At this point, I’m still a bit vague on the details (I like living denial) … something about kayaking, hiking, biking and black bear observation. All in four-day time span! Mentally, I’m already exhausted from the new-job thing. So now I’ll add physical exhaustion to the menu, and give it a taste too I guess!

Like they say, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

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  • http://www.brightestblue.wordpress.com Pauline

    Perhaps you could try less..intense..adventures! You can do lots of fun things without running yourself ragged!

  • http://fromnatsbrain.typepad.com Nat

    When all else fails, I tell myself that at the end of it all, I’ll have a really good story to tell.

    And you will…

  • http://neeroc.wordpress.com/ Neeroc

    Have a wonderful time! School will go on, and adventure air has got to be better than work air. I often find myself ‘meh’ about things (say skiing) before I go, but if I actually get my carcass up the hill I have a good time! Hope this is your experience too.

  • http://www.correresmidestino.com Zhu

    Where can you find a mountain with snow in July?? Sorry, innocent grew-up-by-the-sea European here.

    Daily life sometimes is more of an adventure than actual adventures…

  • http://www.photoswithsarah.com Sarah

    We can still do all these things Julie. Just slower, with more appreciation, and with Muffin Top :)

    Enjoy!!

  • http://mommyhoodforlara.blogspot Lara

    Sounds to me like the kind of thing I would drag my heels to go on but would actually enjoy when there. Good for you for going – enjoy it and feel good about yourself for pushing yourself! :)

  • http://www.finolablog.com Finola

    That sounds amazing what you are doing. If it were me I would be nervous and dreading it beforehand, but so proud and happy afterwards. Enjoy!

  • http://spydergrrl.blogspot.com spydergrrl

    That’s my hme turf! I was born in Jonquiere and spent every summer in the Saguenay region until I was 16. You are going to have a fantastic time!!! Can’t wait to read about it when you get back.

  • http://danigirl.ca/blog DaniGirl

    I love Nat’s comment above — whatever doesn’t kill you makes for excellent blog fodder, right? ;) I can’t wait to hear all about it!

  • http://www.coffeesandcommutes.com Christine LaRocque

    I’m late to reading this, but I was oh so curious! Good for you…sounds like it shaping up well from your tweets! As soon as I can I’ll be back to read a little more about your adventures.