Joyful From Inception to Implementation: Camping With the Crew on Patos Island
USA
Adulting can be hard. These stretches can be intermittent and inconvenient, poignant when they popcorn, irritating with irrational projections - and then suddenly, the ball curves and life’s rollercoaster swerves. It serves us well therefore, when we have crews that have lifeboats handy to battle the blues.
The idea for camping has been a longstanding one. In fact, we’ve swiveled and cycled through this ‘wouldn’t-it-be-so-fun-if-we-did-that’ conversation for years. But when you’re living the Lummi life with luxury, gourmet food, past times that seem dreamy and company that makes you feel uberly blessed, the mere thought of leaving that space to go glamping nearby seems far-fetched (and somewhat unnecessary). So who knew that over a spontaneous dinner in the city, we began to plan a trip to Patos Island to camp - with tents, fire pits, latrines and all.
I can’t remember laughing this much in a single day. It was like joy joined the party from inception to implementation, and just wouldn’t leave. Surely you too would’ve laughed (likely at us versus with us) if you saw just how much stuff we shoved onto the boat for a one night stay. Though hey, the new propane campfire ring needed to be inaugurated.
My belly burst into emotions that hit notes of ‘life is beautiful’, my eyes squinted out smiles and my insides felt like they wanted to hug everyone - we were happy to be alive! Sitting in the knowing of being privileged against the natural beauty that enveloped us seemed so stellar. The clincher was to be able to share it with a crew that was from A to Z, adventurous, awesome, zany and zealous.
Amazingly, with nearly no planning and so much stuff, we somehow got it covered. After a brief period of pretending that the weather could shake our spirits, we hoisted and heaved it all onboard, including my hearty sleeping bag.
How is it that even in the must dos, there was a constant sudden burst of belly laughter - and what’s the recipe to rinse and repeat this routinely? As love and laughs gushed forth, no task, time or temperament escaped without it feeling like this was all a glorious gift just for me. Like a (Snapchat) filter that spunked up each frame, every moment of this trip seemed to have the scent and sense of joyful enjoyment.
From Lummi, petite Patos was a one hour boat ride away. Camping sites were secured on a first come first serve basis. The location of this being a hidden gem known to locals more than the masses, snagging a beachfront spot with a 180 degree waterfront view felt as easy as it was: we strolled up to the site and simply set up camp, c’est tout. The kiddos disembarked and wanted nothing to do with the offloading production that ensued, though they quickly returned in time for roasted hot dogs.
To celebrate a birthday, I’d stopped off at a local bakery beforehand to bring some sweets as treats … but when we got sidetracked by a bride and groom taking their wedding photoshoot, can you really call us camping noobs for leaving the goods unmonitored on the table? We’d scrambled to the beach to watch Amanda and Andrew capture their special day, hearing their stories of how Patos was his favourite place growing up.
As they sped away to share their vows, we returned to our site, only to howl out in dismay at the disarray left by the crows! Therein began the need to ration (chocolate and cinnamon buns) even for our limited stay.
How big of a blessing is it when something “bad” is easily seen as a minor nuisance and that one’s fortunate state still stands strong in spite of it … then giggles summersault one over the next, beckoning the retelling of a mishap that actually helped create a magical memory?
Joy tumbled out, even though we were (nearly) dessert-less. Seeing us in hysterics as we mimicked the recklessness - of ourselves or the crows, who knows - the families aptly left us for our overnight adventure. As soon as they sped away, photoshoots and play time began, in full force. There’s something to be said to have a reprieve from adulting so we can immerse ourselves in chill time.
Interestingly, play from our first days can serve us well along the trajectory of time and turbulence. Both human and primate studies show that “mothers [who] are more relaxed and allow their infants interacting with a variety of group members including unrelated adults … contributes [to] creating many playful opportunities for the immatures to develop those cognitive and emotional abilities necessary to react in a resilient way to uncertain situations that are typical of tolerant societies”. So, games night anyone?
Such skills can come in handy when dealing with seismic situations, common conundrums or even hesitations that are limited to our own quirks. I surprised myself as I tiptoed, then totally took to the cool waters, a feat I’d done only because of the crew’s cheerleading (and neoprene layers)!
What does your tribe instigate and inspire you to do? As we sang and danced under the stars, we shone the spotlight on each of our dance and DJ moves until a new level of laughter and love avalanched.
From sunset sensations to battery operated blenders for morning fruit smoothies, each wilderness creation called upon cohesion and creativity to compile these culinary concoctions. At both ends of the day we sat mesmerized, gazing out at the majesty that’s on display each and every day. Somehow though, it felt so special; as if this retreat was cosmically coordinated, and I was handpicked to be a part of it.
Soon, the ink of the ocean against the bejeweled sky witnessed and wrapped up the marvels we relished since morning. I’m always amazed at how the mundane can suddenly seem so sacred. Like how a little propane and a lot of flame can turn any types of products on a picnic table into a spread set to impress. These meals cooked outdoors felt so wholesome, even though we literally used the likes of dehydrated dollar shop hash browns!
Fist bumps and flowing recounts filled the boat ride back to Lummi the next day, where the paddleboarding and dry sauna tied off our time together. There were squeals of delights and deep inhales as an Aurelia Aurita (moon jelly fish) glided by, followed by a handful more. Like graceful gelatinous globs, their translucent bodies and horseshoe-shaped organs offered anatomical insights while punctuating our peaceful paddle, all the while reminding us of the grandeur within our galaxy.
Bursting on the barometer of soulful escapes, this overnight tenting expedition on Patos will not only remind us of the scenic lighthouse that lines its coastline, but of the light, belly laughter and bubbling beauty it brought and will continue to bring as the ebb and flow of adulting must continue …
May we have many more experiences where joy joins us from start to finish,