Long Weekend

It's the May long weekend, what I consider to be the real start of a northern spring. We had the most brilliant weather on Friday, perfect for a trip out to the Gwich'in Territorial Park, about half an hour's drive outside of town on the Dempster Highway. We gorged ourselves on sandwiches, soup, caribou, fish, bannock, and fresh Eskimo doughnuts. The road into the campground was still slushy, but we were well-prepared and had our boots on. Going to the park on May long weekend might become a tradition for me if I continue to live up here. I remember going out there on my first May long weekend up here, and barbequing up some juicy steaks – the only time I truly enjoy eating steak is in the great outdoors, with a fire going.

My muscles are still sore from jigging on Friday; somehow, I never get sore from going to aqua-fit or jogging, but am always completely stiff the day after any jigging. I also tried my hand (or feet!) at some northern games, such as the various types of high kicks – the one-footed, two-footed, and the Alaskan, which began in a squatting position with only one foot on the ground and the other held in one hand. Much concentration was required to execute each kick, to tap those toes on that stuffed toy seal suspended in the air.

Saturday was almost as gorgeous. I took my camera out and walked the bypass with a couple of friends. The snow has pretty much disappeared completely, but the greenery still needs time to re-establish itself. I can't wait until the Boot Lake trail is mud-free – it's my favourite part of town, where I can escape and feel a million miles from anywhere, although it's only minutes from my house.

Last night, I had a wonderful time at two friends' house. We played cards into the wee hours of the morning, and told stories about the quirks of our families.

Today is drab and dreary. It'll be a leisurely day of bumming around at home, catching up on my reading and writing, and thinking about prepping for the upcoming week at work. I'll be going to the pool – perhaps the water will loosen up my achy muscles. Then, I'll have supper with a great friend, and idle the night away. It's the perfect Sunday, really.

“Those who look before they leap, never leap.” I've been thinking about this lately. There's much to be said about planning ahead, but I've been the sort to leap headlong into something, and I've never regretted any of my momentous moves. I haven't taken any leaps in the past few years – but I know I will when I'm ready. I don't want to confuse being with having. The only “possessions” that are of any value are the respect and love of those around me, and they are what's holding me back from leaping into the unknown, the next phase of my life. Actually, they are not “holding me back,” but have been saving me from my imagined demons.